Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Tri-Valley Area

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?

HBOT  is not a new therapy. Air in a pressurized chamber was first used to treat patients in the 1600’s. Pressurized oxygen was added in the 1700’s to treat patients. Nearly a century ago, the modern era of HBOT started with the treatment of decompression sickness from diving. Since that time, it has been successfully used to treat a variety of illnesses and conditions as well as promoting wellness and recovery.

Patients are placed in  a comfortable pressurized chamber and breathe 100%  oxygen for a set time. The pressurized chamber  delivers much more oxygen than a person usually breathes—2-3 times more! This dramatically increases the amount of oxygen in the  blood and tissues by 10-15 times.. This stimulates growth factors and catalyzes healing processes in the body.  All types of cells  benefit from  the increased oxygen. This increased oxygen helps the body fight off bacteria  and infections, decreases inflammation, and helps regenerate cells and tissues. It stimulates both blood vessel and collagen growth. Healing is dramatically improved.

At the Gladstone Clinic Hyperbarics, we have top of the line Sechrist  hard shell mono chambers. We have TV entertainment attached to the chambers so that you can have a comfortable and relaxing treatment.

FDA Approved Uses for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• Air or Gas Embolism: When air or gas bubbles block blood vessels.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Especially when combined with cyanide poisoning.
• Decompression Sickness: Often experienced by scuba divers.
• Gas Gangrene: A severe bacterial infection that destroys tissue.
• Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps: When skin grafts or flaps are struggling to heal.
• Delayed Radiation Injuries: Including bone and soft tissue damage from radiation treatment.
• Refractory Osteomyelitis: Chronic bone infections that don’t respond to other treatments.
• Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections: “Flesh-eating” bacteria infections.
• Acute Traumatic Ischemias: Conditions like crush injuries and compartment syndrome that restrict blood flow.
• Diabetic Foot Ulcers and other Non-Healing Wounds: When wounds are not responding to standard treatments.
• Thermal Burns: To accelerate healing and reduce complications.
• Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Sudden, unexplained hearing loss.
• Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: Blockage of the artery in the retina, causing sudden vision loss.
• Anemia (in certain cases): When patients cannot receive blood transfusions.
• Intracranial Abscess: In cases where surgery is not an option.

At the Gladstone Clinic Hyperbarics we treat non hospital based FDA approved indications,  Medicare approved indications as well as some off label indications where studies have suggested that Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment may be effective.

While the above conditions are FDA approved, only the following will be covered by Medicare insurance. Commercial insurance may or may not cover FDA approved conditions. Often insurance pre authorization will be required. Medicare covers the following conditions treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen:

• Acute carbon monoxide intoxication
• Decompression illness (the bends)
• Gas embolism
• Gas gangrene
• Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
• Crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs (as an adjunct to standard therapy)
• Progressive necrotizing infections
• Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency
• Preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts
• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Osteoradionecrosis and soft tissue radionecrosis
• Cyanide poisoning
• Actinomycosis (as an adjunct when unresponsive to conventional therapy)
• Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities meeting specific criteria (Type 1 or 2 diabetes, Wagner grade III or higher, and failed standard wound therapy) Studies have repeatedly shown that HBO  can heal Diabetic foot ulcers and significantly reduces the risk of amputation.

Off Label and emerging uses for Hyperbaric Oxygen: HBOT may be effective for the following conditions based on published studies.

• Before and after certain cosmetic procedures such as facelifts, liposuction or laser resurfacing.
• Athletic Recovery
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Lyme Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Insomnia
• Fertility Support
• Erectile Dysfunction
• General Wellness