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One of the most serious and common risks of being on a ventilator is pneumonia. The breathing tube makes it hard for you to cough. Coughing helps clear your airways of germs that can cause infections. The breathing tube that is put into your airway can allow bacteria to enter your lungs. As a result, you may develop pneumonia.

Ventilators normally don't cause pain. The breathing tube in your airway may cause discomfort. It can also affect how well you eat and talk. You may be able to talk if you have a trach tube, face mask, or helmet. A ventilator limits your movement, which may prevent you from carrying out your activities. When you are on the ventilator, your doctor may have you lie on your stomach instead of your back to help more of your lungs get oxygen.

Ventilators are machines that blow air—or air with extra oxygen—into your airways and your lungs. Your airways are pipes that carry oxygen-rich air to your lungs when you breathe in. They also carry carbon dioxide (a waste gas) out of your lungs when you breathe out.

You may need a ventilator in an emergency if a condition makes it difficult to breathe on your own (called respiratory failure). You may also need a ventilator during surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with insomnia, follow your treatment plan and make healthy lifestyle and sleep changes. The following steps can help prevent your insomnia from returning or getting worse.

Lifestyle changes can often help improve short-term insomnia. A type of counseling called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is usually the first treatment recommended for chronic insomnia. Several medicines can also help manage insomnia and help you have a regular sleep schedule. You may need to visit a doctor who specializes in treating sleep problems.

If lack of sleep is affecting your daily activities, talk to your doctor. You may be diagnosed with insomnia if you have difficulty falling or staying asleep for at least 3 nights a week. Short-term insomnia lasts less than 3 months. Chronic insomnia lasts for 3 months or more. Your doctor may do some tests to see whether you have other medical conditions that can affect your sleep, or whether your insomnia has caused any complications.

The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling or staying asleep, even if you have enough time and the right conditions for good sleep. Over time, untreated insomnia may raise your risk of certain health problems or workplace or road accidents.

To screen for insomnia, your doctor will ask how you are sleeping and ask about your risk factors. Your doctor may talk to you about steps you can take to help you sleep better and prevent chronic insomnia.

You may have a higher risk of insomnia because of your age, family history and genetics, environment or occupation (work), lifestyle, stress or worrying about sleep, or your sex.