Bone infections, also known as osteomyelitis, are a rare diagnosis. Without treatment, you can lose or severely damage your bones. There are several types of treatment, like antibiotics, but there are other approaches like holistic healing with hyperbaric treatment. Hyperbaric chamber treatment can be a powerful way to promote healing and reduce inflammation in bone infections.
What Is Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment?
A hyperbaric chamber is a single-person tube-like chamber that, when activated, fills with 100% pure oxygen. While the chamber is filled with oxygen, the pressure will gradually increase. During a hyperbaric chamber treatment, your blood carries a surplus of oxygen throughout your body. Oxygen can help improve injured cells and speed up the healing process.
Bone Infection Treatments
When the bone is inflamed, it can cause a rare and serious bone infection. If your bones are infected, they are infected by a type of staph bacteria. These staph bacteria can slow the immune system’s function. Your immune system is consequently weakened, making you more vulnerable to osteomyelitis.
Traditional treatments of osteomyelitis include antibiotics or, in some cases, surgery. The removal of damaged tissue of the bone along with antibiotics can help cure bone infections in most cases. Some patients may not respond well to these treatments and may want to consider other options.
Oxygen Chambers for Osteomyelitis
As a patient, you may want to try hyperbaric oxygen treatments if the traditional methods are not producing the desired results. You can also use hyperbaric chamber treatment in addition to your antibiotics as it may assist in absorption. This treatment may be restorative to the production of two key components of bone healing and growth. These key components are osteoblasts and osteoclasts. They are key to the healing process of the bone.
Infected bone has a decreased amount of oxygen. With hyperbaric oxygen treatment, the amount of oxygen increases to normal or even above normal levels. You can improve the transportation of the antibiotics given by using oxygen chambers.
How Does Osteomyelitis Occur?
Cases of osteomyelitis often are caused by a type of staph bacteria found on the inside of your skin. These bacteria then enter the bone. Here are a few ways the bacteria make its way into your bones:
- Bloodstream: The bacteria in other parts of your body, such as bacteria from bladder infections or pneumonia in the lungs, can move to the bone that has been weakened. This bacterium is generally unhealthy for your bones and can be seriously problematic.
- Injury: If you have gotten any wounds that have reached inside of your body, they can leave an entrance into this particular type of staph bacteria. The puncture wound spreads bacteria into a bone that is near it. If your bone has been broken to the point that it reaches the surface of your skin, that also lets the bacteria enter the bone.
- Surgery: During surgery, there may be a possibility that bacteria can enter your bones while medical professionals are replacing or repairing joints or fractures.
The diagnosis of osteomyelitis is key to starting the healing process. If you think you may be experiencing any of the following symptoms, consider speaking with your doctor:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Redness
What Else Can Hyperbaric Treatment Help With?
Hyperbaric chamber treatments can help with many issues, including the following:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Stroke
- PTSD
- Psoriasis
- Osteoporosis
- Neurological Disorders
- Migraine
- Lyme Disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Dementia
- Decompression Sickness
- Cerebral Palsy
- Autism
- Athletic Injury
- Arthritis
- Anti-Aging
- Anemia
- Alzheimer’s
If you are considering hyperbaric treatment, you should first consult your doctor. Each treatment center has different rules and regulations on who can use their facilities. Children are allowed in some but others choose not to treat children in hyperbaric chambers. This treatment may not be suitable for everyone.
Get Help With Hyperbaric
Once you are cleared for this treatment, it is suggested that you shower and avoid using harsh perfumes or deodorants before your treatment. Avoid unhealthy activities like drinking or smoking for four weeks before your appointment to keep your body healthy.
It is key to make sure that you are not taking any medications that may have adverse effects while in the chamber. Consult your hyperbaric facility before doing so.
Bone infections can be uncomfortable at best and life-threatening at worst. Hyperbaric chamber treatment may help relieve your pain and support the healing process.