How can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy help radiation injuries?
HBOT is one of the only treatments available to reverse the damaging effects of radiation on the bone and soft tissue. This treatment delivers oxygen to the treated area and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, as well as fibroblastic proliferation and collagen synthesis. With an increased blood and oxygen supply, symptoms can be relieved and the damaged tissue can be healed. Most radiation patients can undergo HBOT with no major side effects. Before HBOT, radiation damage was treated with soft tissue grafts with their own blood supply that were inserted surgically into the affected area. These grafts were often unsuccessful and the damaged tissue would not heal because of ischemia. Now, these injuries can first be treated through HBOT to stimulate the healing process before additional treatment is performed.
