Life support

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Life Support

Life support (/laɪf səˈpɔːrt/) refers to the treatments and techniques performed in an emergency to support life after the failure of one or more vital organs.

Etymology

The term "life support" originates from the mid-20th century, combining the words "life" (from Old English 'līf') and "support" (from Old French 'suporter', meaning to "carry" or "sustain").

Definition

Life support is a broad term that encompasses various medical practices designed to stabilize patients and keep them alive. This can include measures such as artificial respiration, CPR, and the use of machines like ventilators to assist or replace spontaneous breathing.

Related Terms

  • Artificial respiration: A method of forcing air into the lungs in a person who has stopped breathing or whose respiratory system is malfunctioning.
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): A lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including a heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
  • Ventilator: A machine designed to move breathable air into and out of the lungs, to provide breathing for a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently.
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU): A department of a hospital where critically ill patients are housed for treatment by specialized staff.
  • Defibrillator: A device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

See Also

External links

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