Many of us take our body's natural healing ability for granted. But as the number of people with diabetes skyrockets, more and more people are developing a common complication of diabetes -- wounds that heal slowly or don't seem to heal at all.

"Patients with diabetic foot ulcers need aggressive treatment to reduce their risk for serious infections, gangrene, disability and amputation," says Heidi Palmeri, R.N., Director of the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbarics at Chalmette Medical Center. "But not all diabetic wounds respond to traditional wound therapy."

Fortunately, there is a new treatment option for those with hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers. Medicare now covers hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic patients whose wounds don't heal with other forms of treatment. This therapy provides oxygen- rich blood to wounds that suffer from poor circulation.

CMC offers advanced hyperbaric therapy
Patients who have problems with diabetic foot ulcers can obtain advanced treatment at the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbarics at CMC. The center offers comprehensive and multidisciplinary wound treatment, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This highly oxygenated blood accelerates wound healing by stimulating the body's own defense mechanisms, which under normal conditions enhances tissue growth. The infection rate in wounds is reduced and new blood vessels are formed around wounds that lead to permanent healing.

During hyperbaric therapy, patients sit or lie in a pressurized chamber and breathe 100 percent oxygen, which is 20 to 30 times more oxygen than we normally breathe.

"Hyperbaric therapy is effective in the vast majority of patients who have diabetic foot ulcers," says Palmeri. "Patients are thrilled because they don't want to lose a toe, foot or leg."

Patients with diabetic foot ulcers typically undergo 20 to 40 hyperbaric treatments depending on the severity of their wounds. Individual treatments last about 90 minutes.

Care you can trust
CMC's Center for Wound Care and Hyperbarics voluntarily underwent a rigorous evaluation by the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society and was granted accreditation by this prestigious organization.

"We're now the only accredited hyperbaric facility in the greater New Orleans area," says Palmeri. "So Chalmette residents who need specialized hyperbaric therapy can feel confident that they've received the highest quality and safest hyperbaric care available."

In addition to diabetic foot ulcers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to help patients who suffer with:

• Pressure sores
• Venous and arterial ulcers or blockages
• Infections of the bones or tissue
• Radiation-related burns and soft tissue damage

For more information about these services available at Chalmette Medical Center's Center for Wound Care and Hyperbarics, call 277-4877. For more information about diabetes, visit www.chalmettemedical.com and click on Health Information in the left column. Under Quick Search on the top of the page, scroll down to Diabetes and click GO.

9001 Patricia Street, P.O. Box 1727, Chalmette, LA 70044 (504) 620-6000