Four Types of Respiratory Failure

Dr.Akshay Budhraja, 3 mins read

Respiratory failure is a serious medical condition that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide. It happens when any part of the respiratory system fails to function properly.

We all know oxygen is vital to survival. When the body doesn’t have enough of it, the patient may need to be immediately admitted to the hospital; otherwise, the condition can be fatal.

There are four types of respiratory failure: Hypoxemic, hypercapnic, perioperative, and shock. This guide will briefly discuss these types and their treatment.

Symptoms of Respiratory Failure

• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Extreme tiredness
• Restlessness
• Pale skin or bluish skin, lips, or nails
• Fast heartbeat
• Coughing up blood
• Excessive sweating
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Confusion or behavioural changes

Types of Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure can occur suddenly (Acute) or over time (Chronic). There are four types of respiratory failure. Hypoxemic and hypercapnic are common types.

Type 1 (Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure)
Also known as hypoxic respiratory failure, it happens when the body doesn’t have enough oxygen. This usually occurs when the heart or lung doesn’t function properly.

Type 2 (Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure)
Contrary to hypoxemic, hypercapnic respiratory failure occurs when there is too much carbon dioxide in the body. This leaves no room for blood to carry oxygen. It happens due to heart, lung, muscle, or neurological conditions or certain medicines.

Type 3 (Perioperative Respiratory Failure)
It is a kind of subtype of type 1 respiratory failure. This happens during surgery when air sacs collapse and your body doesn’t get enough oxygen.

Type 4 (Respiratory Failure Due to Shock)
It is a condition wherein the body is unable to oxygenate tissues due to a state of shock, which is characterised by low blood pressure or fluid in the lungs (Pulmonary oedema). Other conditions like blood loss, sepsis, or cardiac arrests can also cause shock.

Respiratory Failure Treatment

The treatment of respiratory failure depends on its severity, type, and cause. Usually, patients are recommended on aids to get enough oxygen. Sometimes, patients may need mechanical ventilation, ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), oxygen therapy, or fluids until they can breathe on their own.

Meanwhile, doctors also strive to address the underlying cause. Thus, in case of respiratory failure, one must not delay visiting the hospital for prompt treatment and to avoid further complications.

At Aakash Healthcare, we have a team of expert pulmonologists and cutting-edge technology to tackle emergency respiratory cases, including acute and chronic respiratory failures. So, if you or someone you know is suffering from this condition can count on us.