Did you know that Ireland is currently one of the top spenders in the world on complications related to diabetes? It is estimated that between 8-10% of our overall healthcare expenditure is spent on diabetic complications such as hospitalisation, surgical interventions and long-term wound dressings etc. Even more concerning is that while other EU countries are successfully reducing the number of diabetes-related amputations, Ireland isn’t keeping pace. Many countries have introduced Hyperbaric Oxygenation (HBOT) with great success, helping to reduce amputations, but Ireland has been slow to adopt this approach.
This delay is having real consequences. People are losing their limbs when there’s an effective treatment that could help prevent such drastic outcomes. It’s frustrating to think that many of these amputations might be avoidable if more people knew about the benefits of HBOT. Often, people are rushed into surgery as a quick fix for chronic wounds, but that shouldn’t be the first or only option when a non-invasive, scientifically backed treatment like HBOT is available.
At OxyGeneration, we’ve seen the remarkable impact of HBOT firsthand. Many of our clients come to us after being told they need an amputation due to a diabetic foot ulcer. Thanks to HBOT, they have been able to avoid surgery and keep their limbs. This isn’t just a stroke of luck—it’s the known benefits of HBOT in action.
One of the biggest challenges for people with diabetes is dealing with non-healing wounds, especially foot ulcers. HBOT can significantly speed up healing by boosting oxygen supply to the affected area. In fact, European studies show that HBOT can improve the healing of diabetic foot ulcers by up to 75% in some cases. The combined antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits following sessions of HBOT create an optimal healing environment.
If you’re struggling with a non-healing wound or diabetic ulcers, there’s some positive news. Irish Life Health offers full coverage for HBOT sessions at OxyGeneration, so you can access this potentially life-changing treatment without financial stress. Alternatively speak to your consultant about getting a referral to the Galway University Hospital hyperbaric chamber. Accessibility is a significant obstacle for this chamber but as hyperbaric oxygenation is an approved treatment modality for non-healing wounds, it is something that should be explained and offered to you by your consultant.
These health issues are more than just inconveniences—they can dramatically affect your quality of life. But there is hope, and you don’t have to go through this alone. Just like Kathleen, a client of ours who was actually scheduled for an amputation surgery due to a diabetic foot ulcer. She chose to try HBOT first and shared,
“I firmly believe hyperbaric oxygenation can turn healing around for diabetics worldwide. It has prevented me from needing an amputation.”
There’s a better way to handle these complications and knowing all the options could make all the difference in your life.
