|
Diabetic Ulcers
(Problem Wounds)
Diabetes causes many complications--one of which is
the diabetic ulcer: the non-healing problem wound.
Standard care of diabetic wounds is comprised of wound
care, control of diabetes, and treatment of infections. However,
about 30% of wounds are not healed by standard practices. Because
of this, more than 70% of amputations are due to diabetes.
Traditional procedures are not always a solution:
once a diabetic has an ulcer, the risk of recurrence is high.
After a diabetic has an amputation, the rate of having another
amputation is 51%. Post-amputation mortality statistics are:
up to one year - 40% mortality
up to 3 years - 65% mortality
up to 5 years - over 80% mortality
The failure of a wound to heal is an interplay between
varying degrees of infection and blood flow. In ALL cases, the
common denominator is tissue hypoxia (lack of oxygen in tissue).
This impairs the natural body process whereby the body's own
immune system can fight the infection.
By increasing the oxygen content of the wound tissue,
there are specific responses which are vital to healing wounds
and ulcers:
* fibroblast replication
* collagen synthesis
* capillary angiogenesis
* neovascularization
* increased leukocyte activity
* enhanced antibacterial mechanisms.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) has been shown to
have an effective rate of 90%. That is, over 90% of the time,
the patient gets to keep their limb! Despite the fact that HBO
is medically accepted and endorsed, it is drastically under-prescribed
(likely because facilities are not yet found in every community).
If you want this, ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO PRESCRIBE IT!
Hyperbaric treatment for a diabetic wound is usually
covered by government health insurance programs such as Alberta
Health Care. Using hyperbaric therapy to save your limb costs
about HALF the price of having an amputation!
As well as healing wounds, HBO will benefit the entire
body, and will restore a favorable cellular environment in which
infection mechanisms and wound healing are enhanced. Hyperbaric
oxygen therapy:
* is an effective antibiotic
* potentiates antimicrobial therapy
* is bactericidal
* has a direct lethal effect on anaerobic organisms
"It is well established that local-tissue
hypoxia and infection are the primary defects underlying problem
wounds in the absence of nutritional deficits and other factors.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy specifically treats both of these underlying
factors.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides a significant increase in
tissue oxygenation in the hypoperfused, infected wound. This
elevation in oxygen tension in the hypoxic wound induces powerful
positive changes in the wound-repair process."
Matos L. and Nunez, A
Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds 1999
"...slightly raised levels (of oxygen) enhances
epithelialization, fibroplasia, collagen deposition, angiogenesis,
and bacterial killing.
...reported a statistically significant reduction in morbidity
(amputation).
A 95% salvage rate (limb saved) was achieved in the HBO treated
group."
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee Report 1999
" The rationale of HBO in diabetic wound is
based on the known effect of HBO in counteracting hypoxia, edema
and infection." Jain K.K., Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine
1999
Lifestyles Therapeutics Camrose Inc
Blaine Ferguson, CMT, HCO, CHT
Swedish Massage
Tai Chi/Qi Gong Instructor
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Ozone Therapy
4910 - 49 Ave., Camrose, Alberta,
Canada, T4V 0M8
Phone: 780-672-6942
Fax: 780-672-6942
E-Mail: blaineferguson@hotmail.com |
|
