Why ventilators are so crucial in treating COVID-19 patients

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For many patients with COVID-19, ventilators can be a life-saving medical aid but what exactly are these breathing machines and how do they work?

Mechanical ventilators are machines attached to patients, either via a tube inserted through the mouth and into the throat, or they can be used with a tight-fitting mask that goes around the nose and mouth.

A patient’s breathing can fail in two ways. When the breathing muscles get exhausted from working hard to move air in, carbon dioxide builds up and can cause the blood stream to become acidic, resulting in organ failure. Dr. John Granton, head of respirology for the intensive care unit at Mount Sinai’s University Health Network, said while ventilators are expensive – with prices averaging in the tens of thousands of dollars -- they allow physicians to directly attack a patient’s breathing issues.

Health-care workers must wear masks, face shields and gowns to protect themselves from this infectious virus. That’s why Granton says personal protective equipment is so important and why many health workers have concerns over potential shortages.According to Mayers, there are no concrete projections that has determined how many patients with COVID-19 will require a ventilator. However, current estimates guess that not all patients with COVID-19 will require these breathing machines.

Mayers said it all depends on the region and more importantly a patient’s health conditions, age and risks. “They can’t speak when the tube is in because it goes past their voice box so its frustrating when they begin to wake up. The other thing they can’t do is eat and swallow, so we actually have to put feeding tubes down into their nose and mouth and into their stomach so we can give them nutrition that way,” he said.

 

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yeah, too bad you don't use them on the seniors. You seem to have your minds made up that it's best to leave them to die in seniors homes instead of saving them like you said you would

Why is canada not Helping businesses like bombardier , which our government has bailed out many times and is in Quebec where they need ventilators, saying he ordered them is not good enough. People are dieing here and around the world. This should be a priority !!

Is Canada considering ventilator alternatives? fordnation PattyHajdu CPHO_Canada via nbcnews

How about 'why didnt CTV or any 'news' media ask Trudeau about the 50% carbon tax grab today? I know why, there are $600 million reasons why.

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