Oxygen Chambers Help Heal Foot Ulcers

Chambers Speed Up Healing of Stubborn Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Aug. 7, 2003 -- A new study shows high-pressured oxygen chambers may speed the healing of diabetic foot ulcers -- chronic, nonhealing ulcers that people with diabetes commonly develop on their feet and ankles.

Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are often used to get over "the bends" or decompression sickness in divers and in some cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. But this study shows that these chambers can also help diabetic people with these often hard-to-treat ulcers heal faster. The findings appear in the August issue of Diabetes Care.

Researchers evaluated 28 diabetes patients for the study. The volunteers averaged 60 years old; 87% of them had type 2 diabetes, and all had foot ulcers that did not respond to standard treatment after three months of therapy. Most patients in the study showed poor circulation around the ulcer. Fifteen were treated in the oxygen chambers and 13 served as a comparison group.

The oxygen group sat in the oxygen chambers twice a day, five days a week, for two weeks. Each session lasted an hour and a half. One patient dropped out of the study after complaining of ear pressure problems.

Results in Just Two Weeks

Researchers compared how big the diabetic foot ulcers were before and after oxygen treatments. After two weeks, there was improvement in the oxygen group's conditions: the size of the oxygen-treated ulcers significantly decreased compared with the group not receiving oxygen. Two patients even showed complete healing four weeks after the study started, but no one in the comparison group did.

Foot ulcers are a common and troubling problem for diabetes sufferers. They are slow to heal because of vascular disease common to diabetes. In severe cases of vascular disease, poor circulation can cause gangrene -- the death of tissue -- and the need to amputate the lower extremity. The National Institutes of Health reports that more than half of lower limb amputations are caused by complications from diabetes.

The study researchers say the oxygen chambers doubled the average healing rate of some diabetes patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers. Future use of hyperbaric oxygen chambers could possibly shorten long hospital stays typically associated with treatment.

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Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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