How to care for a patient with tracheostomy

What is tracheostomy?

Tracheostomy is a surgically performed incision or opening in the neck, which leads to the trachea creating an artificial airway through which a tube is inserted. This is the tube called a tracheostomy tube and is used to alleviate breathing problems caused by in an obstruction in the upper airways. A tracheostomy tube helps people to breathe, at the time when they are unable to do it naturally through their nose and mouth.

The way surgery is done in order to insert a tube in the opening of the neck is called tracheostomy. In general, it is performed in extremely critical circumstances at hospital operation theaters. However, there are some emergency situations, while it’s requried an opening in the neck to be created immediately to save a life, such as at the scene of a car accident. On a very short notice, most tracheostomy methods are performed. 

An artificial opening is required at the time when a person cannot breathe naturally, which is generally the outcome of an obstruction by a foreign object in the windpipes, a swelling in the neck, a tumor or the muscles in the throat paralyzing and blocking natural breathing system. Due to the obstruction in the airways, oxygen cannot pass through trachea and reach the lungs, preventing a person to cough. Coughing is a natural reflex which protects the lungs by getting rid of bacteria and mucous from the airways.

You must know that coughing is a natural reflex which protect the lungs by getting rid of bacteria and mucous from the airways. A tracheostomy is used when a patient undergoes difficulty of swallowing due to a medical condition like a stroke.

There are instances of people born with a congenital abnormality of the trachea that may need a tube to help them eat, breathe and speak. Such a tube is also needed for other medical conditions, such as people having thyroid, laryngeal cancer, etc. You should know that a tracheostomy can be either temporary or permanent. 

Tracheostomy is a relatively simple and safe method. However, complications do also occur, such as bleeding, infections, etc. Complications due to anaesthesia may happen as a result of a tracheostomy.

In hospitals, doctors take note of their patients’ after care. This tracheostomy may also be required after release of patients, which means tracheostomy tubes may be even required as homecare medical products. Caregivers will be expert in using them for their patients on proper way. Tracheostomy tubes may also be required for long-term care of a patient, caring for a patient with a tracheostomy tube involving around-the-clock care. Only home caregivers can handle such a tracheostomy situation and they know how and when these tubes should be changed.

A reputed medical online store lines up an extensive collections of tracheostomy products. There is a special tracheostomy care store section on this leading medical supplies online , visit https://www.onlinemedicalsupply.com/c-1065-tracheostomy-care.aspx .