What You Need to Know About Acute Respiratory Failure

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a scary thing to deal with for yourself and your loved ones. The symptoms depend on the severity and cause of your ARF and initially, figuring out what’s wrong can be difficult. In this blog, we’ll explain what ARF is and discuss the symptoms, prognosis, treatment and more to put your mind at ease and help you to better understand ARF.

Describing ARF

When fluid builds up in the air sacs in your lungs, acute respiratory failure is underway. This prevents your lungs from releasing oxygen into your bloodstream, depriving your organs of the oxygen they need to function. This condition can also stop your lungs from removing carbon dioxide from your body. Since your lungs play a major role in the health of your entire body, acute respiratory failure needs to be treated quickly.

Symptoms

Your symptoms depend on what the underlying cause of your acute respiratory failure is. Those with ARF often experience:

  • Difficulty/rapid breathing

  • Bluish coloration in the fingertips, lips or skin

  • Confusion

  • Restlessness

  • Anxiety

  • Irregular heartbeats/racing heart

Prognosis

ARF is much more common among elderly individuals. When it comes to survival rates, younger patients under 60 years old have better survival rates than older patients do. The approximate mortality rate is 40-45% depending on age, preexisting conditions and other factors.

Higher Risk Individuals

While individuals with family histories of respiratory diseases are at a higher risk, ARF can become even more common when external factors come into play. You may be at risk for acute respiratory failure if you:

  • Drink excessive amounts of alcohol

  • Smoke tobacco products

  • Have preexisting respiratory problems

  • Sustain a spinal, brain or chest injury

Treatment

There are many forms of treatment your healthcare provider may choose to suit your needs. The following are some options often offered:

  • Medication

  • Oxygen via an oxygen concentrator

  • Non-invasive ventilation

  • Tracheostomy if prolonged ventilator support is required

 Depending on the severity of your condition, lung improvement is possible with appropriate treatment.

 Knowing what to expect from acute respiratory failure can be beneficial for both the patient and their loved ones. Contact us with any respiratory product questions or requests – we’re happy to help in any way we can!

Elliot Campbell