Öndunarstuðnings

Öndunarstuðnings is the Icelandic term for respiratory support. It encompasses a range of medical interventions designed to assist individuals who have difficulty breathing or are unable to breathe adequately on their own. These interventions can vary in their invasiveness and complexity, depending on the patient's specific needs.

At its simplest, öndunarstuðnings can involve the administration of supplemental oxygen, typically through a nasal cannula or a face mask. This is often used for individuals experiencing mild respiratory distress or hypoxemia. For more significant breathing problems, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) methods like CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) may be employed. These devices deliver pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose and/or mouth, helping to keep the airways open and facilitate breathing.

In severe cases, invasive mechanical ventilation becomes necessary. This involves inserting a tube into the trachea (endotracheal tube) or performing a tracheostomy, which is a surgical opening in the neck, to connect the patient to a ventilator. The ventilator then takes over the work of breathing, either partially or completely, by pushing air into and out of the lungs. Öndunarstuðnings is a critical component of care in various medical conditions, including pneumonia, COPD exacerbations, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and during and after surgery. The goal is always to ensure sufficient oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal while addressing the underlying cause of respiratory failure.