What is respiratory failure?

Respiratory failure, also known as respiratory acidosis, is a condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide the body produces. As a result, body fluids become too acidic. 

Symptoms

Symptoms may include: 

• Confusion 

• Easy fatigue 

• Lethargy 

• Shortness of breath 

• Sleepiness 

Diagnosis

Exams and tests to diagnose respiratory failure include:

• A chest X-ray or CT scan 

• Pulmonary function tests 

• Arterial blood gas test 

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at the underlying lung disease, and may include: 

• Bronchodilator drugs to reverse some airway obstruction 

• Methods to stop smoking 

• Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation, or mechanical ventilation if needed 

• Oxygen if the blood oxygen level is low 

Prognosis

How well you do depends on the disease causing respiratory failure.