Wound Care FAQ
The Wound Healing Center is designed to fulfill the needs of patients who require specialized and aggressive care for their wounds. In traditional medical settings, many patients may not receive the interdisciplinary attention that these wounds require. For these people, minor lesions can unfortunately lead to chronic, non-healing wounds with serious infection, gangrene and possible amputation.
How many people have chronic, non-healing wounds?
It is estimated that nearly 5 million Americans suffer from chronic wounds.
What guidelines define a chronic, non-healing wound?
If a wound has not improved significantly in four weeks or if it has not completed the healing process in eight weeks, it is considered a chronic, non-healing wound.
What are the causes of these wounds?
Diabetes, immobilization and circulatory problems contribute to the majority of chronic, non-healing wounds. Approximately 1.5 million people with non-healing wounds have diabetes. Another 2.5 million patients have pressure ulcers. This is a common side effect of spinal cord injury, arthritis and other conditions that require a patient to be bedridden (immobilization). Persons suffering from venous insufficiency (circulatory problems) account for another one half million patients. The rest have wounds that result from traumatic injury, non-healing surgical incisions and a variety of other diseases.
How do I seek treatment?
If you are suffering from a non-healing wound, approach your doctor about other options you may have to speed up the healing process.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO2) treatment?
Initially used to treat underwater divers with the bends, HBO2 has been proven effective in treating many diseases. It does not replace other reliable treatments such as surgery and medication, but is generally prescribed in conjunction with other treatments.
Who can utilize Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO2) treatments?
Accepted indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy encompass a wide range of clinical conditions including:
- Air or Gas Embolism
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Compromised Skin Grafts or Flaps
- Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome and Other Acute Traumatic Ischemias
- Cyanide Poisoning
- Decompression Sickness
- Diabetic Foot Wounds
- Enhancement of Healing Selected Problem Wounds
- Exceptional Blood Loss Anemia
- Gas Gangrene
- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
- Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
- Radiation Necrosis: Osteoradionecrosis and Soft Tissue Radiation Necrosis
- Selected Refractory Anaerobic Infections
- Thermal Burns
How does it work?
Normally, the air we breathe is 21 percent oxygen. During HBO2, you will breathe pure oxygen (100 percent) and the pressure surrounding your body will be slowly increased to two or three times normal. The increased oxygen you breathe will also increase the oxygen your blood carries to body tissues. This abundance of oxygen in your tissues enhances the repair of tissue damage.
Are there any side effects or after effects?
The most common effect is a "fullness" or popping sensation in your ears, which lasts only briefly. As with most medical treatments, there may also be other effects. Such other effects are rare, and a staff member will discuss them with you in detail before treatment.
For more information, please call: (936) 63-WOUND