Struggling with Diabetic Ulcers? Here’s How HBOT Can Help

Living with diabetic foot ulcers makes daily life a painful challenge that many diabetes patients understand all too well. These persistent wounds affect approximately 15% of diabetics during their lifetime, with healing often stalled by poor circulation and nerve damage, which are common with this disease and complicate diabetic wound care. 

While traditional treatments sometimes fall short, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) offers a powerful addition to wound care routines. This specialized treatment delivers medical-grade oxygen in a pressurized environment, revolutionizing the healing process of diabetic ulcers. 

For patients facing the possibility of infection or even amputation, HBOT provides a beacon of hope by addressing the root causes that prevent natural healing. Continue reading to explore how this therapy works and where to find the best hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic foot ulcers in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. 

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and How Does It Work?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment where patients breathe 99.7% medical-grade oxygen while in a sealed and pressurized chamber. This pressure environment allows your lungs to gather up to three times more oxygen than normal breathing, flooding your bloodstream with healing oxygen that reaches damaged tissues, triggers tissue regeneration, and stimulates angiogenesis — the new growth of blood vessels. 

The FDA has officially approved hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treating diabetic foot ulcers, recognizing its effectiveness in combating infections and stimulating new blood vessel growth in wounds that do not heal with standard care. Treatment typically involves 20 to 60 sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. During this time, patients can relax, watch movies, or nap while the increased oxygen works throughout their body, promoting faster healing and reducing inflammation in stubborn ulcers.

Benefits of HBOT for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers remarkable benefits for patients struggling with diabetic foot ulcers. In fact, many wound patients and wound care providers alike report faster healing compared to standard wound care alone, particularly for ulcers that haven't responded to conventional treatments. Perhaps most importantly, this therapy can help reduce the risk of partial limb amputation. 

Beyond the physical healing, patients who complete HBOT treatment courses frequently report substantial improvements in their daily lives, including:

• Better mobility that allows them to resume normal activities
• Decreased wound-related pain
• Psychological relief that comes with seeing visible healing progress

These quality-of-life improvements often transform patients from being homebound by their condition to regaining independence and comfort.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for HBOT?

The best candidates for hyperbaric oxygen therapy are diabetic patients facing the most challenging wound situations. Specifically, doctors typically recommend HBOT for: 

• Those with Wagner grade 3 or higher ulcers. These are deep wounds that may involve bone infection called osteomyelitis or have significant tissue death. 
• Patients whose ulcers have stubbornly persisted for more than 30 days despite comprehensive wound care, including appropriate blood sugar control, infection management, and regular wound dressing. 

Before starting HBOT, however, patients must undergo an evaluation by a wound care specialist who will assess blood flow to the affected area, check for any contraindications, such as certain lung conditions, and determine if the patient can physically tolerate the pressurized environment. This thorough screening ensures that HBOT is both safe and likely to be effective.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of HBOT

While HBOT is generally safe, patients should be aware of possible side effects during treatment. The most common issues include:

• Ear discomfort or pain, similar to what you might feel when flying
• Temporary sinus pressure
• Minor vision changes that typically resolve after completing therapy
• Some patients also report feeling unusually tired following sessions

To minimize these risks, licensed, accredited treatment centers, operated and supervised by licensed medical professionals, implement comprehensive safety measures. These measures include thorough medical screening before beginning therapy, careful monitoring of patients throughout each session, and gradual pressure changes to allow the body to adjust comfortably. Patients with certain conditions, such as untreated lung conditions or specific types of ear infections, may not be suitable candidates for this treatment.

Finding the Best Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia

When chronic wounds refuse to heal, the right environment can make all the difference. At our state-of-the-art clinic, we specialize in healing even the most complex wounds and diabetic foot ulcers by delivering high-dose oxygen in a controlled, pressurized environment to stimulate tissue repair, combat infection, and enhance circulation where the body needs it most. 

Led by Dr. David Schwegman — an experienced physician with a deep background in emergency and hyperbaric medicine — our team of physicians is trained to manage even the most complex wound cases with precision and compassion. We are fully accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. We follow rigorous safety protocols, use advanced technology, and tailor each treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome for our patients. We’re proud to accept referrals from physicians across the country and are trusted by both patients and providers for delivering care that is not only effective but deeply rooted in clinical excellence.

Ready to accelerate your healing with the best hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic foot ulcers in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia?