What Is a Ventilator?
A ventilator (VEN-til-a-tor) is a machine that helps
people breathe. It's mainly used in hospitals. Ventilators:
- Get oxygen into the lungs
- Remove carbon dioxide (a waste gas that can be
toxic) from the body
- Help people breathe easier
- Breathe for people who have lost all ability to
breathe on their own
A ventilator often is used for short periods, such
as during surgery when you're under general anesthesia (AN-es-THE-ze-a). The
term "anesthesia" refers to a loss of feeling and awareness. General anesthesia
temporarily puts you to sleep.
The medicines used to induce anesthesia can disrupt
normal breathing. A ventilator helps make sure that you continue breathing
during surgery.
A ventilator also may be used during treatment for a
serious lung disease or other condition that affects normal breathing.
Some people may need to use ventilators long term or
for the rest of their lives. In these cases, the machines can be used outside
of the hospital-in long-term care facilities or at home.
A ventilator doesn't treat a disease or condition.
It's used only for life support.
September 2008
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