A ventilator is a machine that helps the patient breathe when the lungs are too weak or too tired. It works through a soft tube placed in the windpipe, through the mouth.
The tube passes between the vocal cords, so the patient cannot speak while it is in place. The voice returns after the tube is removed. If breathing support is needed for a longer time, a small opening in the neck (tracheostomy) may be made, this is more comfortable and is usually temporary.
Key points
- The ventilator gives the lungs time to rest and heal
- The tube prevents speech only while it is in place
- The voice returns after the tube is removed
- A tracheostomy is often temporary and more comfortable for longer stays
Good to know
Being on a ventilator is support, not a sign that recovery has stopped.
