What Are the Risks of Being on a Ventilator?
Infection
One of the most serious and common risks of being on
a ventilator is
pneumonia.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is linked to the breathing tube
that’s put in your airway when you’re on a ventilator.
The tube may make it easy for bacteria to get into
your lungs. It also makes it hard for you to cough. Coughing is important for
helping to get rid of bacteria.
VAP is a major concern for people using ventilators
because they’re often already very sick. Pneumonia may make it harder to
treat their original disease or condition.
VAP is treated with antibiotics. You may need
special antibiotics if the VAP is due to bacteria that are resistant to
standard treatment.
Another risk of being on a ventilator is sinus
infection. This is more common in people who have an endotracheal tube. (This
tube is put into your windpipe through your mouth or nose.) Sinus infections
are treated with antibiotics.
Other Risks
Using a ventilator also can put you at risk for
other problems, such as:
- Pneumothorax
(noo-mo-THOR-aks). This is a condition in which air leaks out of the lungs and
into the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This can cause pain and
shortness of breath, and it may cause one or both lungs to collapse.
- Lung damage. Pushing air into the lungs with too
much pressure can harm the lungs.
- Oxygen toxicity. High levels of oxygen can damage
the lungs.
These problems may occur because of the forced
airflow or higher levels of oxygen from the ventilator.
Using a ventilator also can put you at risk for
blood clots and serious skin infections. These problems tend to occur in people
who have certain diseases and/or who are confined to bed or a wheelchair and
must remain in one position for long periods.
Another possible problem is damage to the vocal
cords from the breathing tubes. If it’s hard for you to speak or breathe
after your breathing tube is taken out, let your doctor know. |