Is respiratory failure serious?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Respiratory failure is a common and critical condition in the respiratory system, and it is very serious. Respiratory failure manifests as a severe decline in respiratory function, often with significant damage to the lungs' ventilation and gas exchange capabilities. Patients often experience severe chest tightness, difficulty breathing, obvious hypoxic cyanosis, and may even present with symptoms such as convulsions and coma, which can be fatal. Treatment usually requires oxygen therapy and often the assistance of a ventilator. Therefore, respiratory failure is considered a very serious condition clinically and requires proactive management to save the patient's life.

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Intensive Care Unit
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Precursors of respiratory failure

Respiratory failure can be a very acute condition, or it may evolve gradually due to chronic diseases. The basic precursors of respiratory failure generally include hypoxia or hypercapnia. In the early stages of hypoxia, patients may experience excitement or irritability, characterized by rapid breathing and possibly sweating due to the effort of breathing. Symptoms include accelerated breathing and hypoxia; the patient’s lips may also turn blue. If the level of carbon dioxide increases, once past the initial period of excitement and as the hypoxia worsens, the person may become listless. Gradually, their consciousness may become unclear, manifesting as drowsiness or possibly even coma.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Treatment of Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure refers to the severe impairment of lung ventilation and gas exchange function caused by various reasons. The treatment of respiratory failure is comprehensive. Firstly, it is necessary to maintain the patency of the airway. Second, oxygen therapy is required. Oxygen therapy is mainly used to correct the patient's hypoxia. Third, a ventilator can be used to assist breathing. Fourth, the cause of the condition should be addressed. For example, if it is caused by a severe infection, aggressive anti-infection measures should be taken; if caused by a large amount of pleural effusion, aggressive drainage of the pleural fluid should be undertaken, etc. Additionally, general supportive therapy should be considered, such as maintaining electrolyte and acid-base balance. It is also important to protect the function of vital organs, such as maintaining the function of the heart and lungs, etc.

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Care of Patients with Respiratory Failure

In the nursing care of patients with respiratory failure, it is important to strictly monitor vital signs daily, as respiratory failure is considered an emergency and critical condition clinically. Observe the patient's blood pressure, consciousness state, and respiratory rate. At the same time, good skin care and oral care should be maintained to prevent aspiration pneumonia and bedsores. Most importantly, secretions should be cleared in a timely manner, including phlegm. Conscious patients should be encouraged to cough forcefully. For patients who are weak in coughing, assist them in turning and patting their backs regularly to facilitate the expulsion of phlegm. For comatose patients, mechanical suction can be used to maintain airway patency. It is advisable to avoid factors that may cause breathing difficulties, such as cold wind and poor air circulation. Pay attention to enhancing physical exercise appropriately, preventing colds, and maintaining a regular lifestyle.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Is respiratory failure contagious?

First, it's important to understand what respiratory failure is. Respiratory failure is a syndrome, not a disease, meaning it can result from many causes. For instance, airway obstruction, lung tissue pathology, diseases of the pulmonary vessels, and diseases of the thorax and pleura, as well as neuromuscular diseases, can all lead to impaired ventilation or gas exchange in the lungs. This impairment makes it impossible for the body to maintain adequate gas exchange even in a resting state, resulting in hypoxemia, with or without hypercapnia, which is referred to as respiratory failure. Therefore, there are many causes of respiratory failure, and some diseases are indeed contagious, such as SARS, H1N1, and H3N2. However, other causes, such as tumors or pulmonary embolism, are generally not contagious.

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Can respiratory failure be cured?

Respiratory failure is a critical condition in clinical settings, characterized by high mortality rates and the potential to impair multiple organ functions, thus endangering the lives of patients. However, in cases of chronic respiratory failure, it is generally incurable, as the respiratory function of these patients has already declined significantly. For patients with acute respiratory failure, the possibility of recovery is closely tied to the ability to diagnose early and administer effective treatment promptly. If acute respiratory failure is treated effectively early on by removing the trigger and the cause, and if the respiratory function can significantly improve within a short time, then there is still a chance for a cure.