Person in hyperbaric oxygen chamber managing blood sugar.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Diabetes: How to Navigate Blood Sugar Management

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Discover how patients with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels during hyperbaric oxygen treatment, addressing fears and adapting treatment plans for better outcomes."

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is increasingly used to treat wounds that are slow to heal, especially in patients with diabetes. This therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which helps to increase oxygen levels in the blood and promote healing. However, HBOT can also affect blood glucose levels, leading to concerns among patients with diabetes.

A recent study explored how individuals with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels while undergoing HBOT. The research highlights the emotional and physical challenges patients face, revealing strategies they use to maintain stable blood sugar and avoid complications during treatment.

Understanding these experiences can help healthcare providers offer better support and personalized care, making HBOT a safer and more effective option for people with diabetes.

Why Does Blood Sugar Management Matter During HBOT?

Person in hyperbaric oxygen chamber managing blood sugar.

Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide, often leading to complications like poor wound healing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) enhances wound healing by increasing oxygen supply to damaged tissues. However, HBOT can lower blood glucose levels, posing risks for diabetic patients.

Maintaining stable blood sugar is crucial during HBOT to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. Conversely, high blood sugar levels can hinder the healing process. Therefore, effective self-management is essential.

Balancing Act: People with diabetes need to carefully balance their diet, medication, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a safe range.
Individual Differences: Each person's response to HBOT can vary, making personalized management strategies necessary.
Importance of Monitoring: Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is vital to detect and address any fluctuations promptly.

The study aimed to understand the experiences of patients with diabetes undergoing HBOT, focusing on their self-management behaviors and emotional responses. By gathering insights directly from patients, the researchers hoped to identify ways to improve their care and overall treatment experience.

Empowering Patients Through Knowledge and Support

Managing blood glucose during hyperbaric oxygen therapy requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physiological and psychological aspects of treatment. By understanding the challenges patients face and providing tailored support, healthcare providers can help ensure safer, more effective outcomes. Open communication, consistent monitoring, and personalized management strategies are key to improving the patient experience and maximizing the benefits of HBOT.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.colegn.2018.11.004, Alternate LINK

Title: Patient Reported Experience Of Blood Glucose Management When Undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

Subject: General Nursing

Journal: Collegian

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Carol Baines, Geraldine O’Rourke, Charne Miller, Karen Ford, William Mcguiness

Published: 2019-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is managing blood sugar so important for individuals with diabetes who are undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)?

Managing blood sugar is critical during hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for individuals with diabetes because HBOT can lower blood glucose levels, potentially leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia can cause symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. Conversely, high blood sugar levels can hinder the wound healing process that HBOT aims to promote. Therefore, maintaining stable blood sugar is essential to prevent complications and ensure the effectiveness of HBOT. Effective self-management requires carefully balancing diet, medication, and activity levels.

What are some of the primary challenges diabetes patients face in maintaining stable blood glucose levels while undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)?

Diabetes patients encounter several challenges managing their blood glucose during hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). These challenges include the risk of hypoglycemia due to HBOT's potential to lower blood sugar, the need to balance diet, medication, and activity levels carefully, and the fact that each person's response to HBOT can vary significantly. Individual differences necessitate personalized management strategies and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels to detect and promptly address any fluctuations. The emotional and physical burdens compound these difficulties, requiring a comprehensive support system.

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) aid in wound healing for diabetic patients, and why is this particularly important?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) enhances wound healing by increasing the oxygen supply to damaged tissues. In a pressurized chamber, patients breathe 100% oxygen, which elevates oxygen levels in the blood. This increased oxygen promotes healing, which is particularly important for diabetic patients who often experience poor wound healing due to complications from diabetes. However, it's a balancing act because HBOT's effects on blood glucose need careful management to avoid other complications.

What strategies can healthcare providers implement to improve the safety and effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for diabetes patients?

Healthcare providers can enhance the safety and effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for diabetes patients through several strategies. These include offering tailored support to address both the physiological and psychological aspects of treatment, ensuring open communication with patients, providing consistent monitoring of blood glucose levels, and developing personalized management strategies. By understanding the challenges patients face and adapting care accordingly, providers can improve the patient experience and maximize the benefits of HBOT. Education and empowering the patient will have a huge impact in managing diabetes.

Beyond blood sugar, what other emotional or psychological factors might impact a diabetes patient's experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and how can these be addressed?

Beyond blood sugar management, several emotional and psychological factors can impact a diabetes patient's experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The fear of hypoglycemia, anxiety related to treatment outcomes, and the general stress of managing a chronic condition can all play a role. These factors can be addressed through comprehensive support systems that include psychological counseling, patient education to alleviate fears and misconceptions, and fostering a sense of empowerment through active involvement in their care plan. Addressing these emotional factors is as crucial as managing the physiological aspects to improve overall treatment outcomes.