Have you ever seen someone in the intensive care unit (ICU) connected to a machine to help them breathe? Or have you ever seen a small child who was brought to the hospital with severe asthma being given medication through a nebulizer? In such cases, there is a health professional who has received special training in helping our lungs and the breathing process. Today we are going to talk about that specialist. That is the respiratory therapist, or as they say in English, the 'Respiratory Therapist' (RT).
Who is this Respiratory Therapist?
Simply put, a respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional with special training who helps diagnose, treat, and manage problems related to your lungs and respiratory system.
Think of it this way. If you have a heart condition, there is a cardiologist. If you have a kidney problem, there is a nephrologist. Similarly, a respiratory therapist is someone who has in-depth knowledge and training in the respiratory system, that is, our lungs and trachea.
The important thing is, these people are not doctors. But they work as a team with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to give you the best treatment plan. To be precise, they are respiratory system technicians.
You may encounter these people in a hospital ward, an intensive care unit (ICU), an emergency treatment unit (ETU), an outpatient clinic, or sometimes even when they come to your home for treatment.
What exactly does a respiratory therapist do?
The role of these people is very broad. What they do varies depending on the condition of a patient. Let's look at the main things they do.
| Task | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Pulmonary Function Testing | Special tests that measure how well your lungs are working and how much air you can take in and out. This is very important for diagnosing diseases like asthma. |
| Oxygen Therapy | Providing oxygen as needed to patients with low blood oxygen levels and constantly monitoring the levels. |
| Mechanical Ventilation | Operating ventilators, adjusting them to the patient's needs, and monitoring the patient's condition are complex and responsible tasks. |
| Airway Management | In an emergency, if a patient's airway is blocked, taking the necessary steps to reopen it. For example, assisting the doctor with things like inserting a tube (intubation). |
| Mucus Clearance | Helping patients with phlegm in their lungs to expel it using special techniques and equipment. This includes things like chest compressions. |
| Giving medicine | They deliver medications to the respiratory system, especially through inhalers and nebulizers, in the correct dosage, and they also teach patients how to use an inhaler properly. |
| Patient education and rehabilitation | People with chronic diseases like COPD and asthma are taught how to live with the disease, how to do breathing exercises, and how to manage the disease. |
What kind of illnesses do these people get help for?
As with any medical condition that affects breathing, the assistance of a respiratory therapist may be required. Here are a few of them.
- Asthma: Teaching asthma patients how to use inhalers correctly and providing treatments such as nebulizers in the event of an acute attack.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This is a common disease among smokers. These patients are taught breathing exercises, oxygen therapy, and how to manage the disease.
- Pneumonia: In severe cases of pneumonia, provide oxygen to the patient, connect to a ventilator if necessary, and help clear mucus.
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): This is a very serious, life-threatening condition. The lungs are severely damaged. It is a major task for these patients to be given specialized respiratory support through ventilators.
- Cystic Fibrosis: This is a genetic disease. In this, a thick layer of mucus builds up in the lungs. Special methods are used to remove that mucus.
- Sleep Apnea: Teaching patients who stop breathing during sleep how to properly use machines such as CPAP.
- Chest Trauma: Providing respiratory support when breathing is impossible due to a severe injury to the chest.
- After surgery: After major surgery, anesthesia can impair lung function. In such cases, it is important to help the lungs recover.
In addition to this list, the services of a respiratory therapist are essential for anyone with respiratory problems, from newborns to the elderly.
When do you need to see a respiratory therapist?
Usually, you can't go directly to a respiratory therapist. The doctor who examines you will review your symptoms and test results and decide that you need the help of a respiratory therapist. The doctor will then refer you to them.
What symptoms would likely cause a doctor to refer you to a respiratory therapist?
- Persistent cough
- Bleeding with mucus
- Wheezing (a whistling sound like "cheese-cheese") when breathing
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest
- Chest pain
- Having an abnormality on an X-ray examination
- Tests confirm low blood oxygen levels
Remember, if you have one or more of these symptoms, the first thing you should do is see your family doctor. Do not self-medicate. The doctor will perform the necessary tests and refer you to the relevant specialists if necessary.
What is the difference between a respiratory therapist and a nurse?
This is something that many people get confused about. Since both of these people work closely with patients in a hospital, it can be difficult to understand the exact difference.
The difference is simply this:
- Nurse: The role of a nurse is very broad . They focus on the overall health of a patient. They give medicine, wash the body, feed the patient, care for wounds, and check on the patient's mental well-being. They also have knowledge about respiratory diseases, but that is not their area of expertise.
- Respiratory Therapist: Their role is highly specialized . Their full focus and expertise is on the lungs and respiratory system. They operate complex equipment related to the respiratory system, perform specialized tests, and provide targeted treatments.
Think about mechanics. There is a general mechanic who knows a little bit about everything in a vehicle. And then there is someone who specializes in just the engine of the vehicle. That's the difference. A nurse is someone who looks after the overall well-being of the patient, and a respiratory therapist is someone who specializes in lung problems. Both of these people provide an invaluable service to the patient.
Take-Home Message
- A Respiratory Therapist is not a doctor, but an essential health professional with special training in lung and breathing problems.
- They work as a team with doctors and nurses to protect your respiratory health.
- Their service is very important in diseases such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and in the intensive care unit.
- If you have any symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a persistent cough, or fever, the first thing you should do is see your doctor.
- If you are referred to a respiratory therapist by your doctor, they will do their best to help you improve your condition. Don't be afraid to ask them questions and share your concerns.
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