Cancer rates are increasing in California and throughout the United States every year. When someone has cancer, they may undergo radiation therapy as a form of treatment. Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy radiation beams to hinder or eliminate the growth of cancer cells. Radiation treatment continues to be an important part of the treatment plan to successfully treat many types of cancer.
Unfortunately, radiation damage is a potential side effect of radiation therapy. Doctors will attempt to direct the radiation energy to the cancerous tumor while minimizing damage to any surrounding healthy tissue. However, if someone repeatedly undergoes radiation therapy in the same location on their body, the risk of damaging the surrounding healthy tissues increases exponentially. For more information on how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help treat radiation damage, or to schedule an appointment, contact us online or call us at (619) 470-4325.
Radiation tissue damage depletes STEM cells, increases inflammation, and severely scars connective tissues. Depending on the cancerous location, a person may experience the following symptoms:
- Urinary pain, burning, or bleeding
- Open non-healing sores at the site of radiation
- Necrosis (tissue death) of radiated area, such as neck or jaw area
- Neck stiffness
- Bowel problems (e.g., incontinence, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, pain)
- Behavioral changes (e.g., personality, language, memory)
It is best to seek treatment for radiation damage as soon as you notice any signs of these injuries in your mind or body. Your primary doctor may offer suggestions, but ask them about hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a viable treatment option.
Why Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Radiation Damage
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an innovative form of therapy that uses 100% pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber to treat radiation damage. It is a therapy often used in wound care because the bloodstream absorbs the pressurized oxygen, stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. Even though you already breathe oxygen, the hyperbaric chamber supplies 100% pure oxygen to the body, free from impurities and harmful contaminants. That is why it works so well.
Here are the top reasons why hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a highly effective treatment for radiation damage:
Increases Oxygen Delivery to Damaged Tissues
Your damaged tissues will receive considerably higher amounts of oxygen while inside a hyperbaric pressurized chamber. The higher oxygen levels will stimulate blood flow to the injured tissues, resulting in accelerated self-healing and repair. Some patients report alleviation of symptoms after the first few hyperbaric treatments; others may take longer, but the treatment is highly successful. Patients may receive 30 or more hyperbaric treatments according to the protocol. Whether you have open wounds, or the “wounds” are inside, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has helped many patients with late effects of radiation therapy.
Reduces Pain and Inflammation
Does the radiation damage cause you pain? Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly reduce the pain and inflammation caused by the radiation damage. The anti-inflammatory benefits go a long way in reducing the uncomfortable inflammation that can cause pain or discomfort.
Where to Find a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Service
HealMedO2 is a leading provider of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the San Diego area. Anyone experiencing the late effects of radiation therapy should consider using this therapeutic service. It is proven to be a safe and effective form of therapy with little or no side effects. You may be surprised how well it can repair your radiation damage and any other chronic wounds on your body. Please ask your doctor to make a referral, or call HealMedO2 yourself to get more information: (619) 470-4325
