What is Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)?
Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) is a ventilator device used to help with your breathing. It will help you to take bigger breaths in and out and to rest your respiratory muscles. This helps to increase the oxygen levels of your blood but also reduce the levels of carbon dioxide. NIV is provided by a machine that delivers pressures to your lungs via a tube and face mask. This is typically worn at night whilst you sleep.
Why do I need NIV?
NIV is needed when the lungs are not breathing as they should be. This can result in a decreased amount of oxygen in your blood and an increased amount of carbon dioxide. This is also known as respiratory failure. A high level of carbon dioxide within the blood is toxic and can make you very unwell. NIV helps to support your respiratory muscles and allow your lungs to fully expand to avoid respiratory failure.
If you have not recently had a blood gas sample taken, we will also need to take one from you during this appointment to measure the gas levels in your blood. This will help decide what level of support your breathing needs. If you also require oxygen therapy, this can be connected to the device, allowing you to use NIV alongside oxygen therapy via a small connecter that we will provide with your NIV device.
What are the symptoms of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention?
- Breathlessness that is worse than your usual level of breathlessness
- Chest tightness and increased effort to get air in and out of your lungs
- “Fuzzy” thinking or difficulty concentrating and confusion
- Morning headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Increased heart rate
Will I feel any pain?
Using NIV should not cause any pain. This may be uncomfortable at first as it can take some time to get used to using the device and wearing a face mask. We will help fit the mask during your appointment to ensure it fits correctly but also does not cause any pain. We have a variety of different masks to find the best fit.
How often should I use the device?
It is important to use the device every night for a minimum of 4 hours, but ideally for the whole night of sleep for maximum benefit. You can also use your NIV if you sleep during the day.
What will happen after the trial of NIV?
We will start by giving you a 4 week trial of NIV. After this, we will have a review and see if the NIV treatment has been effective; we can make adaptations if necessary during this appointment. Once treatment is effective and comfortable, we will review at regular intervals to ensure treatment remains optimal. At each review we will take another blood gas sample to help us decide this.
Please bring all equipment to any appointments as we will regularly replace the equipment for servicing and provide a new mask and tubing. However, if you need any assistance between appointments please do not hesitate to contact us as we are more than happy to help.
Please allow ample time to arrive for your appointment. Our aim is to see you promptly but we will inform you of any delays.
Additional information about lung conditions can be found below: