Respiratory failure occurs when the lungs cannot function properly, causing breathing difficulties and fatigue. Common types include asthma, allergies, and emphysema. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent some respiratory problems, while diagnosis should be done by a medical professional. Obesity is a common risk factor, and gastric bypass surgery may be recommended for severe cases.
Respiratory failure is a general medical term used to classify any disorder in which the lungs are unable to function properly. The uptake of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide, which are normal lung functions, can be inhibited or slowed down, causing fatigue, breathing difficulties or even serious health problems such as heart attacks. Many types of respiratory failure, such as asthma and allergies, are quite common. It can be diagnosed at home, by taking vital signs such as blood pressure, or it can be diagnosed by cardiologists and other medical professionals. It is recommended that people at risk of developing any type of respiratory failure maintain healthy eating habits, exercise regularly and avoid smoking, although some ailments can be hereditary.
Some of the more common types of respiratory failure include asthma, allergies, emphysema, bronchitis, and sinusitis. Lung cancer is another type, which can be prevented by not smoking. Sleep apnea can be prevented by maintaining proper weight and exercising regularly. Practicing a healthy diet is particularly important, regardless of individual metabolism. Cholesterol-rich foods can be harmful to heart health, even in those who are otherwise healthy, exercise regularly, or have a lean body type.
There are several possible causes of respiratory problems other than smoking and obesity. Allergies and asthma, for example, can be hereditary. Other causes may include rare conditions such as muscle and skeletal abnormalities.
Symptoms of respiratory failure can be mild or severe. Irritability and confusion are common. Fatigue is also common, particularly after even light exercise. Heavy or difficult breathing is one of the more obvious signs, and some serious risks include heart attack and stroke. Hypertension is a significant indicator of poor respiratory health.
Diagnosis can be done at home with the help of a blood pressure monitor. For a more reliable diagnosis, it is recommended to seek help from a professional. Cardiologists, pulmonologists, and lipidologists may be able to correctly diagnose whether a patient is suffering from respiratory insufficiency and what type they are suffering from. This can help a patient avoid misdiagnosing another serious disorder with similar symptoms, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or even depression.
Obesity is one of the most common risk factors for the development of respiratory failure. Excess body weight puts great pressure on internal organs, including the lungs. Common respiratory disorders resulting from obesity include sleep apnea and obesity-hypoventilation syndrome.
Occasionally, these two conditions occur together, resulting in a more serious health-threatening situation. Gastric bypass surgery is often recommended for patients who are unable to manage weight properly to avoid these respiratory problems and other health problems.
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