Acute respiratory failure is a medical emergency caused by low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels in the blood. It can be due to airway obstruction or fluid buildup in the lungs. Immediate medical attention is necessary to clear the obstruction, provide oxygen, and identify underlying causes. ARDS is a severe form of respiratory failure caused by inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs. Treatment involves identifying the cause and providing oxygen, bronchodilators, and antibiotics if necessary. Prompt medical attention can prevent permanent organ and brain damage.
Acute respiratory failure is an emergency medical condition in which there is either an extremely low oxygen content or an extremely high carbon dioxide content in an individual’s blood. The lungs may become unable to replenish oxygen supplies due to airway obstruction or excess fluid. This condition is usually fatal if an individual does not receive immediate medical services. Emergency doctors or medical technicians will attempt to clear the obstruction, deliver oxygen, and determine any underlying causes in order to provide additional treatment.
Sudden onset of acute respiratory failure can occur due to an asthma attack, smoke inhalation, suffocation or drowning, among other causes of airway obstruction. A particularly dangerous form of respiratory failure occurs in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which involves severe inflammation of lung tissue and fluid buildup in the lungs. ARDS usually manifests with severe trauma, bacterial infections, or drug overdose.
A person suffering from acute respiratory failure due to airway obstruction generally appears panicked as they gasp for breath. The skin often turns blue when oxygen stores are depleted. A drowning person may have very blue skin, lose consciousness, and show very shallow breathing. The onset of ARDS is usually accompanied by shortness of breath, confusion and extreme tiredness. An individual can suffer from permanent organ and brain damage if treatment is not given immediately.
The primary goal in treating a person with acute respiratory failure is to identify the cause. A victim with a foreign object in their throat may need to be given the Heimlich maneuver or similar procedure to remove the obstruction. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is often needed for people who have been submerged in water or engulfed in smoke for long periods of time. Oxygen is usually given as soon as possible to stabilize the blood supply, and bronchodilators are given to people who have had asthma attacks to reopen the airways.
An individual experiencing ARDS typically requires immediate oxygen given with a respirator to cleanse the lungs and restore blood supply to vital organs. Once the lungs are clear of fluid, doctors can determine and treat the underlying cause of ARDS. Antibiotics can be given orally or intravenously if the cause is a bacterial infection, and detoxification measures are taken in case of an overdose. With prompt medical attention, an individual suffering from acute respiratory failure may be able to regain breathing and full consciousness within minutes.
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