What do you mean by  Chronic Respiratory Failure?

Chronic respiratory failure is the inability to carry out the fundamental functions of respiration. The lungs function to deliver oxygen to the blood while eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood. It is a condition that usually occurs from narrow or damaged airways that develop gradually over time with a progressive underlying process that requires long-term treatment.

Causes of Chronic Respiratory Failure

Conditions /diseases that affect your breathing can cause chronic respiratory failure and may include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Interstitial Lung disease
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Smoking
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Chest trauma
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Motor Neuron Disease
  • Stroke
  • Spinal cord complications

Symptoms Associated with Chronic Respiratory Failure

Symptoms of chronic respiratory failure  may include:

  • Breathlessness
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Fast breathing
  • Headache
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Bluish colouration of the lips, fingernails, or skin
  • Abnormal heart rhythm

How is  Chronic Respiratory Failure Diagnosed

This is based on:

  • Medical history and symptoms
  • Your physical examination.
  • Pulse oximetry test, which is conducted to evaluate how well oxygen is being delivered to various parts of the body. Normal oxygen saturation will range above 94  , and anything under 90 per cent would indicate an abnormally low level of oxygen.
  • Arterial blood gas test, which is conducted to measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood and any abnormal level would indicate chronic respiratory failure.
  • Imaging tests, such as chest x-ray or CT scan, to get a better view of your lungs, which may reveal potential causes of chronic respiratory failure.
  • Bronchoscopy

How is Chronic Respiratory Failure Treated?

The aim of the treatment is to get oxygen to your lungs and other organs and remove carbon dioxide from your body. The common treatment options used to achieve these may include:

  • Ventilator: A breathing machine that pumps oxygen into your lungs and removes carbon dioxide from your lungs through a tube placed into your nose or mouth down into your windpipe.
  • Oxygen therapy: This therapy raises oxygen levels by increasing the amount of oxygen you inhale by delivering oxygen from a concentrator / cylinder
  • Tracheostomy: A surgical procedure where a hole is made through the front of your neck and into your windpipe for a breathing tube to pass through to help you breathe.
  • Other breathing treatments:  Non invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) where air pressure is used to keep your airways open .Noninvasive ventilation includes Bipap devices . Cpap devices can be used as well
  • Treatment of the underlying cause