Basically, life support replaces or supports a failing bodily function. If a patient has a curable or treatable condition, life support is only used temporarily until the illness or disease can be stabilized and the person’s body can resume normal functioning. However, if the condition is quite severe or irreversible, the patient’ body may never regain the ability to function normally without life support.
Common Types Of Life Support Measures
There are different types of life support measures. Below are the most commonly used ones:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. CPR is a group of treatments used when someone's heart or breathing stops. This is used in an attempt to revive the heart and breathing. There are instances when electric shock and drugs are also used to stimulate the heart. CPR is a reliable lifesaving technique when it is used quickly in response to a sudden occurrence like a heart attack or drowning.
Mechanical ventilation. This is used to support or replace the function of the lungs. This is done through the use of a machine called a ventilator or respirator. This machine forces air into the patient’s lungs. The ventilator or respirator is attached to a tube inserted in the nose or mouth and down into the windpipe or trachea of the patient.
Artificial nutrition and hydration. Also called tube feeding, this measure is designed to supplement or replace ordinary eating and drinking by giving a chemically balanced mix of nutrients and fluids through a tube placed directly into the patient’s stomach, the upper intestine, or a vein. Artificial nutrition and hydration can save a person’s life until he or she regains normal physical functioning.
Info source: hss-me.com
Common Types Of Life Support Measures
There are different types of life support measures. Below are the most commonly used ones:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. CPR is a group of treatments used when someone's heart or breathing stops. This is used in an attempt to revive the heart and breathing. There are instances when electric shock and drugs are also used to stimulate the heart. CPR is a reliable lifesaving technique when it is used quickly in response to a sudden occurrence like a heart attack or drowning.
Mechanical ventilation. This is used to support or replace the function of the lungs. This is done through the use of a machine called a ventilator or respirator. This machine forces air into the patient’s lungs. The ventilator or respirator is attached to a tube inserted in the nose or mouth and down into the windpipe or trachea of the patient.
Artificial nutrition and hydration. Also called tube feeding, this measure is designed to supplement or replace ordinary eating and drinking by giving a chemically balanced mix of nutrients and fluids through a tube placed directly into the patient’s stomach, the upper intestine, or a vein. Artificial nutrition and hydration can save a person’s life until he or she regains normal physical functioning.
Info source: hss-me.com
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