Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a disease state where the limbs are not able to receive adequate blood circulation. It is caused by a process of hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque formation called, atherosclerosis. The initial symptoms include pain and soreness in the legs with exercise, but can lead to constant pain or even gangrene and subsequent amputation in limbs. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an Undersea and Medical Society (UHMS) approved condition for gangrene. Atherosclerosis is a process that occurs all over the body, so if there is narrowing of arteries in the limbs, there may also be narrowing of arteries in the heart, brain, genetalia or other vital organs.
Currently, other than recommended lifestyle interventions, only surgical interventions are used in the treatment of PAD. HBOT is a promising intervention for PAD for a few reasons:
The state of research on reversing atherosclerosis with HBOT is in the early stages. Two studies by the same researchers have documented the reversal of atherosclerosis in rats and in rabbits. Turkish researchers have documented improvements in atherosclerosis markers in diabetic foot wound patients. Anecdotal hyperbaric clinical reports typically show an improvement in exercise tolerance and a reduction in claudication pain. Skin tissue tone and discoloration typically improves. Reports of improvement in sexual dysfunction are also common.
Scientific Resources
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Poor arterial blood flow can cause hard-to-heal wounds or sudden loss of retinal circulation.
A rare condition in which small blood vessels calcify and clot, causing painful skin wounds and tissue damage.
Severe trauma can damage muscle and circulation, causing swelling, tissue injury and compartment syndrome.
Air or gas bubbles enter the bloodstream and can block circulation to vital organs.
A rare blood-vessel disorder causing painful leg ulcers, skin discoloration and characteristic scarring.
Narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, causing pain, slow healing and other circulation problems.
Brain injury caused by interrupted blood flow or bleeding, potentially affecting movement, speech and thinking.
Chronic leg wounds caused by poor venous circulation, often with swelling and surrounding skin changes.
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