Respiratory failure results from inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, meaning that the arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide or both cannot be kept at normal levels. A drop in the oxygen carried in blood is known as hypoxemia; a rise in arterial carbon dioxide levels is called hypercapnia. Respiratory failure is classified as either Type I or Type II, based on whether there is a high carbon dioxide level.
Respiratory failure usually includes:
- Increased respiratory rate
- Abnormal blood gases (hypoxemia, hypercapnia, or both)
- Evidence of increased work of breathing.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Cyanosis (a blue tint to the skin, mostly around the mouth, eyes and nails)
- Rapid heart rate
- Wheezing or coughing
- Bad headache
- Pulmonary hypertension