A ventilator machine is a medical machine that supports breathing and are mainly are used in hospitals. Ventilators assist in getting oxygen into the lungs and removing carbon dioxide from the body.
Ventilators provide breathing support when an individual’s respiratory system functions poorly, and can even maintain respiration if a person stops breathing. However, many who use these devices just need help with their breathing, and a ventilator makes it easier to breathe while ensuring enough oxygen gets to the lungs.
A body’s inability to move sufficient oxygen into the lungs and remove carbon dioxide from the lungs leads to respiratory failure and low oxygen levels in the blood.
Often times, ventilators only assist individuals until they regain the ability to breathe on their own:
- Accident victims often suffer injuries that impair their breathing ability, something that hopefully will improve as they heal.
- Going under general anesthesia during surgery usually involves the use of a ventilator. The drugs used to put patients to sleep during a procedure also impair the ability to breathe normally. By the time a patient comes to after the procedure, the ventilator usually has been removed.
However, ventilators also come into use for long-term supportive therapies for various respiratory ailments. In many cases, ventilator users have an endotracheal tube inserted into the trachea through the mouth or nose that connects to the ventilator. People with less severe issues may be able to use masks and/or mouthpieces. The ventilator pushes gas (air and oxygen) into the lungs. Each patient has different needs, so properly setting up and calibrating a ventilator is very important. Some patients require a ventilator to create pressure to keep air sacs open. Other patients may require specific medications to help the machine work to its best capacity.
Other individuals require ventilators for extended or indefinite periods. For them, having access to one out of a hospital environment means a better quality of life. However, with smaller, more mobile ventilator options, regaining the ability to participate in favorite activities again becomes possible.