What is Respiratory failure?
'''Respiratory failure''' is a [[medical condition]] which affects [[respiration]]. It means the [[Alveolus|alveoli]] in the [[lung]] are not getting enough [[oxygen]]. Because of this, [[gas exchange]] in the [[blood]] is reduced. Respiratory failure will lead to a person's death. For this reason, it is a [[medical emergency]]. Emergency treatment of respiratory failure is very similar to that of [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation]]. ==Classification== Respiratory failure has been classified by its cause: * In'' obstructive respiratory failure'', there is a mechanical problem that blocks or tightens the passage of the air. Examples of conditions that can produce this include [[Asthma]] and [[Cystic fibrosis]]. * In ''restrictive respiratory failure'', the volume of the person's rib cage is reduced. An example for this is [[Scoliosis]]. * In ''traumatic respiratory failure'', the air that is breathed takes the [[Airway management|wrong route]]. Examples are [[Pneumothorax]] and [[Hemothorax]]. Also, respiratory failure can be classified by the speed at which it happens: * ''Chronic respiratory failure'' develops at slow speed over time. * ''Acute respiratory failure'' develops rapidly {{med-stub}} [[Category:Medical emergencies]] [[Category:Breathing problems]] [[Category:Organ failure]]