Respiratory failure is a disease.

Written by Peng Miao Yun

Internal Medicine

Updated on September 05, 2024

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Respiratory failure is a condition caused by severe impairment of lung ventilation and gas exchange functions due to various reasons, leading to ineffective gas exchange. This results in hypoxia in the body, accompanied by either retention or non-retention of carbon dioxide, thereby causing a clinical syndrome of physiological and metabolic disorders. The causes of respiratory failure include diseases of the lung tissue, respiratory tract disorders, pulmonary vascular diseases, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, among other factors, all of which can lead to respiratory failure.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

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Causes of respiratory failure

Respiratory failure is a severe breathing difficulty that can lead to hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention. The causes of respiratory failure can be broadly classified into the following categories: First, there are diseases of the lung parenchyma, such as various lung infections, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, lung abscess, and diseases of the lung interstitium. Another type involves obstruction of the airway, including obstruction in the upper respiratory tract, which covers the nose, pharynx, and larynx, as well as obstructions in the lower respiratory tract, which can also lead to respiratory failure. Third, there are diseases involving the peripheral nervous transmission system and the respiratory machinery, such as acute infectious polyradiculoneuritis, poliomyelitis, and some cervical spine injuries. These can severely affect the respiratory center and respiratory nerves, leading to respiratory failure.

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Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

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Can people with respiratory failure exercise?

Whether people with respiratory failure can exercise depends mainly on whether the respiratory failure occurred acutely or chronically. Generally, it is usually advised against exercising during acute respiratory failure, such as severe pulmonary inflammation, drowning, or failure of the nervous system functions. Exercise during this time can worsen the body's oxygen deficit and increase oxygen consumption, potentially exacerbating the symptoms of the disease. However, for chronic respiratory failure, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, patients have long been enduring hypoxia or hypercapnia. These individuals can engage in appropriate respiratory rehabilitation exercises, such as respiratory rehabilitation gymnastics and some traditional Chinese medicine practices, which can greatly aid in the recovery from the disease, particularly respiratory failure. The decision primarily depends on the patient’s specific condition and their physical tolerance.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

48sec

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Treatment principles for respiratory failure

Respiratory failure is a common emergency condition in the respiratory system, with patients often experiencing significant breathing difficulties, cyanosis, etc. So, what are the principles of treatment for respiratory failure? The overall principles of treatment are to enhance respiratory support, including maintaining airway patency, correcting hypoxia through oxygen therapy, and improving ventilation with the use of ventilators, among other measures. Additionally, it is important to intensify treatment of the causes and inducers of respiratory failure, such as controlling infections. Attention should also be paid to general supportive treatment, such as nutritional support, correcting electrolyte imbalances, etc., as well as protecting other vital organs, like the liver and kidneys.

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Written by Li Fang Xiao

Internal Medicine

59sec

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Is respiratory failure uncomfortable?

Respiratory failure is quite uncomfortable, and clinically, the symptoms feel severe, and the patient's own state is also very affected. Respiratory failure is mainly caused by a decrease in oxygen partial pressure, during which time the patient may experience wheezing, chest tightness, and even a feeling of being near death. There are many causes of respiratory failure, with severe infections being common, such as severe pneumonia or sepsis. A systemic inflammatory response can lead to respiratory failure. Another situation is when heart failure occurs, which can also accompany pulmonary congestion, causing pulmonary ventilation dysfunction that can also lead to respiratory failure. The treatment of respiratory failure focuses on removing the causative factors and selectively choosing different treatment plans, which can start with oxygen therapy or the use of a ventilator in severe cases to correct hypoxemia and sustain life.

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Written by Peng Miao Yun

Internal Medicine

1min 8sec

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How to treat respiratory failure?

Treatment of patients with respiratory failure is primarily medical, focusing on suppressing or relieving the causes and triggers of respiratory failure, improving lung ventilation and gas exchange as much as possible, and treating and improving the function and condition of various vital organs. First, it is important to actively treat the primary disease causing respiratory failure. If there is a concurrent bacterial infection, sensitive antibiotics should be used, and triggers should be removed as much as possible. Simultaneously, maintaining airway patency and effective ventilation volume is necessary, which can involve administering bronchodilators and expectorants such as salbutamol, terbutaline sulfate, acetylcysteine, and ambroxol. When necessary, corticosteroids can be administered intravenously. If internal medicine treatment does not improve symptoms, tracheotomy and mechanical ventilation may be necessary to assist breathing. (Medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician, based on the actual situation.)