Non-Invasive Ventilation Therapy Explained

You may have heard of non-invasive ventilation therapy (NIV) but may not know exactly what it is. In today’s blog, we’ll cover what NIV is and who it benefits. To start, on-invasive ventilation (NIV) helps patients that have difficulty breathing breathe better and has become a popular alternative to traditional invasive ventilation. NIV is administered through a mask rather than a breathing tube, allowing the patient more freedom to move around. It also doesn’t require sedation. Continue reading to find out more about what non-invasive ventilation therapy is and who can benefit from it! 

What Is Non-Invasive Ventilation Therapy?

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) therapy helps a person breathe better by administering  ventilatory support without using an invasive artificial airway. NIV is used to manage acute and chronic respiratory failure. NIV assists patients with breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide efficiently. Non-invasive ventilation therapy can be administered two ways, through Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). When a patient needs non-invasive ventilation therapy, a doctor or nurse will secure the mask to the patient’s face and connect the mask to a machine with adjustable settings. Your breathing and oxygen levels will be monitored throughout the course of treatment. A patient will usually have breaks to eat, drink, and use the restroom. Because NIV therapy eliminates the need for invasive artificial airways, the patient can still be awake and mobile. The process is very similar to a patient receiving treatment at home. 

Who Needs NIV?

Non-invasive ventilation therapy can be very effective and beneficial to many patients with different medical conditions. Usually, NIV therapy is used when a patient is having difficulty breathing on their own. NIV can help individuals with conditions such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, sleep apnea, and many others. 

Non-invasive ventilation therapy can help many patients breathe better and help manage respiratory failure. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about NIV therapy, contact our team today!