What are two causes of respiratory failure?

Answer 1

To understand respiratory failure, you must first understand what our lungs do in our body. Without making it overly complex, the main purpose is to exchange oxygen with carbon dioxide (O2 and CO2 exchange). This is done on a capillary level. Capillaries are very VERY small blood vessels that are very prone to damage.

While respiratory failure can be caused by any number of issues, the end result is the process of O2 and CO2 exchange is compromised. This could be via occlusion (closing of airways), inflammation (which damages the capillaries), or cell changes via cancer.

Items that can cause respiratory failure include but are not limited to:

• Cancer
• Blunt chest trauma (Car accident, falls)
• Penetrating chest traumas (stabbings etc)
• Infection (pneumonia, flu, tuberculosis, etc)
• Allergic reaction causing inflammation
• Inflammation from other reasons (smoking, COPD)

Now to note - respiratory failure is NOT necessarily permanent. In some cases (such as allergic reactions, infections, etc.) this condition can be partially or fully reversed. It can be permanent as well. The only way to know for sure is asking the opinion of the physician taking care of your loved ones. If you would be more comfortable having more than one brain looking at your loved ones information, asking for a second opinion is also 100% acceptable. Some are comforted by having the second opinion, others are not.

Answer 2

The term 'Respiratory failure' is inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that levels of arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide or both cannot be maintained within their normal ranges.

Answer 3

Respiratory failure of the lungs (low oxygen levels) will produce bluish coloration in the skin, fingertips, or lips, restlessness, anxiety, confusion, altered consciousness, rapid and shallow breathing with a racing heart rate. People in this condition will walk around and don't know where they are going or why they are doing the walking. They will say that they can not get any air out and will even pant. They will be sweaty.

Answer 4

Respiratory failure occurs when not enough oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood or if the lungs do not remove enough carbon dioxide from the blood. The heart, brain, and other organs need oxygen-rich blood to stay healthy, and excessive carbon dioxide in the blood can harm those organs. Low oxygen level and high carbon dioxide level in the blood can occur simultaneously, sometimes as a result of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or other conditions which affect the air flow in and out of the lungs.

Answer 5

the level of oxygen is either too high or too low; hypoxemic respiratory failure and ventilatory failure

Answer 6

ventilatory failure, occurring when, for any reason, breathing is not strong enough to rid the body of CO2. Then CO2 builds up in the blood (hypercapnia).

Answer 7

the blood is not effectively pumped through the body

Answer 8

End-stage COPD and pulmonary embolism, to name just two of many.