Respiratory failure (patient information): Difference between revisions
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Diseases and conditions that affect your breathing can cause respiratory failure. Examples include | Diseases and conditions that affect your breathing can cause respiratory failure. Examples include | ||
* Lung diseases such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and cystic fibrosis | * Lung diseases such as [[COPD]] (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), [[pneumonia]], [[pulmonary embolism]], and [[cystic fibrosis]] | ||
* Conditions that affect the | * Conditions that affect the [[nerve]]s and [[muscle]]s that control [[breathing]], such as [[spinal cord injuries]], [[muscular dystrophy]] and [[stroke]] | ||
* Damage to the | * Damage to the [[tissue]]s and [[rib]]s around the [[lung]]s. An injury to the chest can cause this damage. | ||
* Drug or alcohol overdose | * Drug or alcohol overdose | ||
* Injuries from inhaling smoke or harmful fumes | * Injuries from inhaling [[smoke]] or harmful fumes | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Treatment for respiratory failure depends on whether the condition is acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing) and how severe it is. It also depends on the underlying cause. You may receive oxygen therapy and other treatment to help you breathe. | Treatment for respiratory failure depends on whether the condition is acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing) and how severe it is. It also depends on the underlying cause. You may receive oxygen therapy and other treatment to help you breathe. | ||
Revision as of 14:16, 22 April 2013
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Respiratory failure | |
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Respiratory failure On the Web | |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
Respiratory failure happens when not enough oxygen passes from your lungs into your blood. Your body's organs, such as your heart and brain, need oxygen-rich blood to work well. Respiratory failure also can happen if your lungs can't remove carbon dioxide (a waste gas) from your blood. Too much carbon dioxide in your blood can harm your body's organs.
What causes Respiratory failure?
Diseases and conditions that affect your breathing can cause respiratory failure. Examples include
- Lung diseases such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and cystic fibrosis
- Conditions that affect the nerves and muscles that control breathing, such as spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy and stroke
- Damage to the tissues and ribs around the lungs. An injury to the chest can cause this damage.
- Drug or alcohol overdose
- Injuries from inhaling smoke or harmful fumes
Treatment options
Treatment for respiratory failure depends on whether the condition is acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing) and how severe it is. It also depends on the underlying cause. You may receive oxygen therapy and other treatment to help you breathe.
Where to find medical care for Respiratory failure?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Respiratory failure
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/respiratoryfailure.html