Zydus Respiratory Failure

Respiratory Failure

Respiratory Failure
Every time we breathe in, we draw oxygen from the surrounding air. This reaches the lungs and subsequently enters the bloodstream and moves to other organs. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, crosses the bloodstream into the lungs, which we breathe out.
This entire process necessitates the interaction of multiple systems, including the lungs, heart, chest respiratory muscles, and the brain. When any of these are affected, we are jeopardising our respiratory system. Low blood oxygen levels are indicative of respiratory failure, and carbon dioxide levels in the blood may be elevated as well.

Respiratory failure can have various causes. The most common is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia, are also examples of lung illnesses.
Heart illness that can cause respiratory failure includes heart failure, which may or may not be preceded by a heart attack
There are mainly 2 types of respiratory failures: Type I and Type II.
In type 1 carbon dioxide seems normal or low and blood oxygen gets low. Whereas in type II respiratory failure, the oxygen level in the blood becomes low and the carbon dioxide gets high.
Respiratory failure can be Acute or Chronic.
The treatment for respiratory failure mainly includes;
1. Medications like antibiotics and steroids
2. Artificial ventilation - Non-invasive ventilation (NIV), Mechanical ventilation and ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)
3. Oxygen support