A potentially life-saving maneuver is being used as a treatment for COVID-19. This procedure may help patients infected with the Coronavirus breathe easier. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about this life saving-technique including what it is and how it works.
What is Proning?
A technique called proning has been shown to help critically ill COVID-19 patients breathe easier. This maneuver takes an infected person and turns them on their stomach to open up their airways and improve breathing.
By lying on your stomach, you can open up airways and take the pressure off of fluid-filled lungs. This is a delicate procedure that only healthcare professionals should perform. Because of the success rates, special teams are being put in place to turn patients in COVID-19 units.
How COVID-19 Hinders Your Breathing
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that can be severe in some people. Once it enters your respiratory tract it can get into your airways and cause the lining to become inflamed and irritated. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pressure, coughing, and congestion. This can cause your lungs to fill with fluid, making it hard to breathe.
How It Works
Proning helps to reduce the pressure put on your respiratory tract. When done right it may offer patients some relief from chest pain, congestion, and difficulty breathing. Proning has been used for years to help treat people with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). To perform this procedure, healthcare workers need to be extra careful. These patients are often extremely ill and in a delicate state.
What To Do If You’re Sick
If you’re sick, it is important to remember to stay home and keep your distance from people for at least 14 days. If you’re coughing, having difficulty breathing, or feeling a lot of chest pressure, call your doctor right away.
