Book excerpt: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) involves the use of a mask to assist breathing for patients who can't breathe for themselves, providing an alternative to invasive ventilation, which involves the insertion of a tracheal tube into the throat of an unconscious patient. The procedure can be used for many problems involving breathing difficulties, such as lung disease and sleep apnea. This book provides a clear practical guide to medical practitioners on how to make use of NIV under various conditions - an approach that is easily applied. New additions to this second edition include chapters on cough-assist devices and non-invasive ventilation at home, along with an expansion of the chapters on long-term ventilation and physiotherapy. [Subject: Medicine]