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Medical Author:

Ronald A Greenfield, MD

Coauthor:

Shehnaz Shaikh, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Hyperbaric oxygen is delivered through a specially designed chamber that contains oxygen under high pressure. Hyperbaric oxygen has been shown in some studies to improve wound healing, and it ensures that bacteria that thrive only in an oxygen-free environment (anaerobic bacteria) will be killed. However, this therapy is not available in all medical centers. People receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy must be monitored for symptoms of oxygen toxicity, such as profuse sweating, difficulty breathing, and convulsions.

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