Failure of the lungs to oxygenate the blood correctly.
Inability of the lungs to perform their ventilatory function.
Inability of the heart and lungs to maintain an adequate level of gaseous exchange. This results in the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood which is converted to carbonic acid, leading to respiratory acidosis. Additionally, the blood may be poorly oxygenated, resulting m hypoxia. Treatment involves correction of any underlying cardiac or lung disorder, administration of oxygen, bronchodilators, and other measures (e.g., mechanical ventilation).
A condition in which impairment of the breathing system results in an increase in carbon dioxide and a decrease of oxygen in the blood. Respiratory failure may be chronic or acute and can be caused by any of a number of lung diseases and disorders of the lung, including respiratory distress syndrome, lung infections, medication overdoses, and structural injuries or abnormalities of the lungs and chest wall. The condition results in an inadequate amount of oxygen to meet the vital needs of organs and has a high mortality rate. This deprivation of oxygen can cause a range of symptoms, including personality changes, headache, confusion, cardiac arrhythmia, loss of consciousness, and coma. Pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
A sudden disruption occurs in the lungs, hindering their ability to effectively deliver oxygen and remove carbon dioxide as they typically would.
A condition characterized by a decline in blood oxygen levels due to insufficient gas exchange within the lungs. Respiratory failure can stem from various factors, including lung-related issues like severe asthma or pneumonia, suppression of the brainstem’s respiratory center caused by factors like opioid analgesic drug overdose, stroke, or head injury, chest wall damage such as flail chest, and nerve and muscle disorders affecting breathing, such as poliomyelitis.
Indications of respiratory failure encompass feelings of breathlessness, skin discoloration known as cyanosis, along with confusion and restlessness. Addressing the root cause is paramount, and if necessary, oxygen supplementation and/or assisted ventilation might be administered. In select instances, a respiratory stimulant medication might be prescribed.