The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of mechanical ventilators, but these machines are used for various conditions that affect your breathing.
What is a Ventilator?
These medical devices are used to move air in and out of your lungs. They act as mechanical bellows to ensure you receive enough oxygen to support vital organs and brain function.
There are three ways to administer ventilator care:
Mask ventilation: This non-invasive application uses a tightly fitted mask to cover your nose and mouth to support your airways and deliver oxygen to your lungs.
Breathing tube: A breathing tube is inserted through your mouth or nose into your windpipe if your condition is severe enough to prevent you from breathing on your own. This process is known as intubation.
Tracheostomy: You may receive a tracheostomy if you require long-term ventilation. It involves surgically inserting a breathing tube through your neck directly into your windpipe.
Who Requires a Ventilator?
You’ll need to be put on a ventilator if you’re experiencing respiratory failure and cannot get the necessary amount of oxygen into your bloodstream.
Causes of respiratory failure may include:
- An obstruction in your trachea
- Drowning
- Asthma
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Pneumonia
- Damage to chest or bone tissue
- Weakened breathing muscles
You may also require ventilation during surgery if you’re put under general anesthesia, as it can affect respiration. A ventilator will control the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your bloodstream and prevent you from aspirating stomach contents during surgery.
What to Expect During Intubation and Use
A laryngoscope will be inserted through your mouth and into your windpipe if you require an endotracheal tube. While breathing tubes aren’t painful, they can be uncomfortable, so you’ll receive anesthesia and pain medication to ease discomfort.
A doctor or respiratory therapist will set the ventilator’s frequency to ensure you receive proper airflow. Ventilators are set to a specific number of breaths per minute or adjusted to respond to your breathing pattern.
Your mask or breathing tube is attached to the ventilator, which uses positive pressure to push warm, moist air into your lungs. Your body will usually exhale on its own, but ventilators can be programmed to pull air from your lungs as well.
X-rays and blood tests are conducted regularly to ensure the tubing is properly placed and your body is receiving enough oxygen. A respiratory therapist or nurse will suction your breathing tube to remove mucus from your lungs, which can cause coughing and temporary shortness of breath.
You can talk and eat while wearing a ventilation mask if your medical team approves. Tracheostomies require special devices to assist with talking, and you may be able to eat some food. Breathing tubes prohibit talking or eating. Expect limited movement while you’re on a ventilator.
Risks Associated with Ventilator Care
Pneumonia and sinus infections: Because you can’t cough with an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy, you can’t clear the mucus and bacteria from your lungs and airways. That puts you at an increased risk for respiratory infections. Germs may enter your airway through your breathing tube as well.
Atelectasis: This condition occurs when one of your lungs doesn’t fully expand, causing the air sacs to collapse and reducing your blood oxygen level.
Vocal cord damage: Breathing tubes can affect your vocal cords and cause hoarseness and trouble speaking after you’re taken off a ventilator.
Lung damage: Pushing too much air and oxygen into your lungs can be harmful, especially if there is too much pressure inside your chest cavity.
Muscle weakness and fluid buildup: The sedentary nature of ventilator use can cause fluid to accumulate in the air sacs in your lungs. And because you aren’t breathing on your own, you may also experience weakness in your breathing muscles.
Blood clots and bedsores: Staying in one position for an extended period affects your circulation and increases your likelihood of developing a blood clot or skin infection.
Embassy Healthcare offers specialized ventilator care at our Grande Oaks and Parkside locations. Contact us online or call 216-378-2050 to learn more about our respiratory services.
