Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

We know how it feels to be always tired, drained of energy by an autoimmune disease; a non-healing wound limits our mobility and causes pain, or an infection doesn't go away even with prolonged courses of antibiotics. Day after day, month after month.

It feels as if life is not worth it. Depression sets in. We think that everyone abandoned us, even God. 

This is what we've heard time and time again from patients who called from all over the world, asking for advice.

And what a rewarding feeling it was when several weeks later, during a follow-up call, we hear that they have been given a new lease at life.

Their infection gone, autoimmunity under control, wounds and ulcers healed, happiness resounds in their voices.

Thank you, they say. They should know that they need to thank themselves.

They had the courage to go a step further, and take a chance on a therapy familiar to few, and yet, so effective. It paid off.

We at Aspen Hyperbaric, have seen the impossible become reality, and, knowing how the body works, frankly are not too surprised.

Aspen Hyperbaric is proud to announce that we have opened a satellite office:

Aspen Hyperbaric Northwest, in the world renowned Columbia Gorge.

Welcome! First, a few words about us:

• Denis Scannell, Dive Medical Technologist, Owner and Operator
• Gianna Scannell MD, Dive Medical Officer, Critical Care Specialist, Consultant

We have been in the Oxygen Business for over 15 years and have published more than 50 manuscripts involving the effects of lack of oxygen (hypoxia) on the cells of our body. We are the experts on hypoxia, and know how to treat it. Here are our credentials.

Gianna Scannell, MD.

I am a graduate of the University of Padova, Italy, where Leonardo Da Vinci learned Anatomy. I am a Boarded Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and practice General Surgery full time. I am also boarded in Critical Care. During my Critical Care fellowship at the University of California, Irvine, I became interested in hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, and did a series of in-vitro investigations on the effect of hypoxia on several groups of immune cells. The results were published in several accredited surgical journals. Hypoxia caused the release of inflammatory modulators such as Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha and Interleukin 6 from leukocytes and mononuclear cells. These investigations led me to develop an interest in hyperbaric oxygen as an effective way to combat hypoxia. With this background, I believe that it is very important to be scientific in selecting patients for hyperbaric therapy. Harm can be done by giving a treatment the patient doesn't need, cannot tolerate, or the wrong treatment. Therefore, patient selection is our first priority. The second, is a thorough History and Physical Exam to assure that the patient can tolerate his or her therapy. The third is a tailored choice of the length and depth of therapy, determined according to the available literature and my own experience. I obtained my DMO certificate with Dick Rutkowski at Hyperbaric International in Key Largo.

Key articles:

1. Scannell G. Leukocyte responses to hypoxic/ischemic conditions.
New Horiz. 1996 May;4(2):179-83. Review.

2. Scannell G, Waxman K, Vaziri ND, Zhang J, Kaupke CJ, Jalali M, Hect C. Effects of trauma on leukocyte intercellular adhesion molecule-1, CD11b, and CD18 expressions.  J. Trauma. 1995 Oct;39(4):641-4. 

3. Cinat M, Waxman K, Vaziri ND, Daughters K, Yousefi S, Scannell G, Tominaga GT. Soluble cytokine receptors and receptor antagonists are sequentially released after trauma. J Trauma. 1995 Jul;39(1):112-8; discussion 118-20.

4. Scannell G, Waxman K, Vaziri ND, Zhang J, Kaupke CJ, Jalali M, Hecht CC. Hypoxia-induced alterations of neutrophil membrane receptors.J Surg Res. 1995 Jul;59(1):141-5.

4. Rhee P, Waxman K, Clark L, Kaupke CJ, Vaziri ND, Tominaga G, Scannell G. Tumor necrosis factor and monocytes are released during hemorrhagic shock. Resuscitation. 1993 Jun;25(3):249-55

Denis Scannell, DMT.

Denis is a graduate of the Commercial Diving Program of Santa Barbara City College. He has an in-depth understanding of the physics behind hyperbaric oxygen. We believe that his training as a commercial diver and chamber operator places him at an advantage in treating patients who need Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Denis' experience includes several thousand of hours as a chamber operator. 

History of Aspen Hyperbaric.

Aspen Hyperbaric opened for business as a Medical Facility in Aspen, Colorado, March 17, 2003. Since, we have treated hundreds of happy customers. Their medical problems stemmed from decreased tissue oxygen, and oxygen therapy was what they needed.

We have hosted patients at our facility in Aspen. We are no longer there, although Alpine Oxygen, affiliated with us, handles Colorado oxygen needs and is in the process of acquiring a mild hyperbaric chamber.

We will host anyone, free of charge, at our Columbia Gorge office. Plenty of room. Call 970-618-8207 for details, or leave a message for a prompt response.

Here is a list of conditions we have treated and healed or dramatically improved:

-    Mountain Sickness (Aspen is at 8000 ft, Snowmass is at 9,000 ft, Mt. Hood over 13,000 ft at the summit.)

-    Frostbites

-    Non-healing wounds failing conventional therapy

-    Diabetic ulcers

-    Bone infections

-    Radiated tissues

-    Severe infections

-    Lyme disease

-    Extremities with poor blood supply in patients who could not have surgery

-    Burns

-    Migraines

-    Ischemic strokes

-    Traumatic brain injury

-    Cerebral palsy

-    Multiple sclerosis 

-    Scleroderma, Raynaud and other autoimmune conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis

-    Eczema and psoriasis

-    Fibromyalgia

-    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

-    Childhood Autism

-    Athletic preconditioning, or recovery from athletic injuries

-    Pre- and post surgery healing

A close relationship needs to be established between you, the patient, and either a physician familiar with hyperbaric oxygen therapy nearby where you live, or our physician at Aspen Hyperbaric. Results from therapy invariably vary from individual to individual, just as our metabolic rates vary. A prescription is necessary.