A ventilator is used during and sometimes after surgery when general anesthesia is given. Anesthesia causes sleep and relaxation during surgery. A ventilator helps the person to continue to breathe during surgery.
A ventilator can also be used if the person has a condition that affects normal breathing. Common diseases and conditions that can affect breathing include the following:
Pneumonia and other lung infections
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and upper spinal cord injuries
Stroke or brain injury
Drug overdose
