| Regardless of the type, diabetes is a frustrating | | | | diabetics to be much less subject to infection of |
| and inconvenient disease to live with. But the | | | | the tissue or wounds, which in turn makes any |
| complications can be extremely detrimental, and | | | | further complications much less likely. Infections |
| some are even fatal. Some of these symptoms | | | | can occur from street drugs or surgery, and |
| are kidney and heart disease, nerve disease, | | | | people with diabetes are more susceptible |
| blindness, impotence, and diabetic neuropathy. | | | | because of weakened antibodies. |
| Under the worst conditions, some patients even | | | | Results from tests on the reaction of diabetic |
| have lower limbs amputated. While the effects of | | | | patients with foot ulcers to hyperbaric chambers |
| oxygen therapy and hyperbaric chambers for | | | | were very positive; the therapy was given for |
| diabetic patients may not be preventative for | | | | two weeks, and during that time the rate of |
| diabetes itself, it can reduce the likelihood of the | | | | healing was significantly improved. Hyperbaric |
| complications. | | | | chambers may also help diabetics with |
| Internal wounds to the organs are most helped | | | | hypoglycemia, a common side effect that occurs |
| by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT | | | | when there is not enough glucose in the blood. |
| replenishes the oxygen supply in the blood, so | | | | Because the blood cannot deliver enough glucose |
| that the blood and plasma can carry more blood | | | | to the brain, hypoglycemia can result in temporary |
| to the muscles and organs. Oxygen can heal | | | | unconsciousness or seizures. If these persist, a |
| almost any kind of wound by building up healthy | | | | patient could suffer brain damage. |
| new tissue at the wound site, and the pressurized | | | | But hyperbaric chambers have been found to help |
| oxygen inters the body to do just that. Some | | | | people with autism and cerebral palsy, so why not |
| "topical" hyperbaric chambers are so small that | | | | those who have lasting brain damage from |
| they are meant to concentrate the pressurized | | | | hypoglycemia? Most sources also say that HBOT |
| oxygen on only one limb; others are traditional | | | | can regulate blood flow in the cerebrum, which is |
| and meant for the patient to climb in, but are | | | | weakened in patients with diabetes. |
| portable and can be used in the patient's own | | | | If left untreated for too long, diabetes and its |
| home; others can only be used at a hospital, and | | | | connected complications can worsen and even be |
| some of these can accommodate up to four | | | | linked to subsequent stroke. However, hyperbaric |
| people at a time. | | | | oxygen therapy has been able to prevent stroke |
| With increased oxygen levels, blood vessels | | | | and even significantly help people recovering from |
| function better as well. This, along with | | | | stroke. Though anyone interested in using a |
| faster-healing tissue, is beneficial for a diabetic | | | | hyperbaric chamber for diabetes and any other |
| patient because some people are at risk for | | | | ailment is encouraged to consult a doctor first, |
| irradiated tissue and skin graft or flap | | | | most hard studies have shown that the therapy |
| compromise. Hyperbaric chambers also enable | | | | is helpful in any stage of a disease. |