What is respiratory failure?
Respiratory failure is a condition where you do not have enough oxygen in the tissues in your body or have too much carbon dioxide in your blood. Respiratory failure is life-threatening, so seek medical attention right away if you believe you are experiencing respiratory failure.
Respiratory failure can happen suddenly or over time. There are three common types of respiratory failure:
- Hypoxemic respiratory failure – happens when you don’t have enough oxygen in your blood. Heart and lung conditions are the most common causes.
- Hypercapnic respiratory failure – occurs when you have too much carbon dioxide in your blood. If your body can’t get rid of carbon dioxide, there isn’t room for your blood cells to carry oxygen. Certain heart, lung, muscle and neurological conditions are the most common causes.
- Perioperative respiratory failure – during surgery, anesthesia, the medication that keeps you asleep, can keep you from breathing properly. Sometimes, air sacs in your lungs can collapse and keep oxygen from getting into your blood.
- Respiratory failure due to shock – conditions like sepsis, cardiac events or sudden blood loss can cause your body to go into shock – causing low blood pressure, fluid in your lungs and other issues that lead to respiratory failure.
What causes respiratory failure?
Respiratory failure occurs when something causes your blood from receiving the needed amount of oxygen or getting carbon dioxide out of your blood. Common causes can include:
- Too little airflow or blood flow to the lungs.
- Blockages, scarring or fluid in your lungs.
- Inability to breathe properly or deeply enough.
- Abnormalities in the way blood flows through the heart.
The most common risk factors for respiratory failure include:
- Certain lung conditions and diseases.
- Heart or blood flow conditions and diseases.
- Conditions that affect the nerves and muscles that help you breathe.
- Chest, spinal cord or brain injuries.
- Smoking or exposure to other lung irritants.
- Surgery that requires sedation or anesthesia.
- Drug use or excessive alcohol consumption.
- Newborn babies or adults over 65.
What are symptoms of respiratory failure?
Respiratory failure is a potentially life-threatening condition, so it is important to recognize symptoms right away and seek medical attention. Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath.
- Rapid or abnormal breathing.
- Extreme fatigue (tiredness).
- Fast heart rate.
- Spitting or coughing up blood.
- Excessive sweating.
- Restlessness.
- Pale skin.
- Blurred vision.
- Headaches.
- Skin, lips or nails that appear to have a blue tint.
- Confusion or the inability to think straight.
- Behavioral changes or agitation.
How is respiratory failure diagnosed?
To diagnose respiratory failure, your provider will review your medical history and perform a physical examination. They will begin by testing the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood, check your blood pressure and oxygen levels, and listen to your heart and lungs. If they believe you are in respiratory failure, additional tests may be needed.
How is respiratory failure treated?
Treatment for respiratory failure focuses on managing the underlying cause, giving you more oxygen or using a mechanical ventilation to breathe for you until you are able to breathe on your own again. Respiratory failure needs to be treated right away, which may include:
- Mechanical ventilation – providers use a breathing machine and tube that goes into your airways to move air in and out of your lungs.
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) – uses a bypass machine to add oxygen to your blood and remove carbon dioxide.
- Oxygen therapy – delivers extra oxygen through a breathing mask or small tube in your nose.
- Fluids – delivered through an IV into a vein to improve the blood flow through your body, bringing more oxygen to your tissues.
How can I prevent respiratory failure?
Preventing respiratory failure is not always possible, but you can manage chronic respiratory failure by managing your underlying conditions. Respiratory failure is a serious but often survivable condition, depending on what is causing it, the severity and how quickly you get treatment.
Talk with your provider if you have chronic or are at high risk for respiratory failure. They can advise you on the most important signs and symptoms to be aware of and how to manage your condition.