Contents
With the development of acute respiratory failure, the organs cannot receive enough oxygen for normal functioning. Acute tissue oxygen deprivation can develop if the lungs cannot eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood on their own. This is one of the emergencies that occurs against the background of a violation of external respiration. The main reasons for this complication are various mechanical obstacles that impair breathing, allergic or inflammatory edema, spasms in the bronchi and pharynx. Since this process interferes with normal breathing, it is necessary to know the rules of first aid in order to preserve the health and life of a person.
What is acute respiratory failure?
Respiratory failure is a condition in which gas exchange in the lungs is impaired, resulting in low blood oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels. There are two types of respiratory failure. In the first case, there is not enough oxygen that enters the lungs for delivery to other organs. This can lead to further problems because the heart, brain, and other organs need enough oxygen-rich blood. This condition is called hypoxemic respiratory failure because respiratory failure is caused by low levels of oxygen in the blood. Another type is hypercapnic respiratory failure, which results from high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Both types can be present at the same time.
To understand the process of respiration, one must know how gas exchange occurs. Air initially enters through the nose or mouth into the trachea, then passes through the bronchi, bronchioles, and enters the alveoli, the air sacs, where gas exchange occurs. Capillaries pass through the walls of the alveoli. It is here that oxygen effectively diffuses through the walls of the alveoli and enters the blood, while carbon dioxide passes from the blood into the air sacs. If acute respiratory failure occurs, then oxygen does not enter the body in sufficient quantities. Accordingly, the state of health worsens, the organs and the brain do not receive oxygen, the consequences appear immediately after the onset of an attack, which can be fatal if help is not provided in time.
Symptoms of respiratory failure
Acute respiratory failure can occur in various pathological conditions in the body.. Any form of injury that compromises the airways can significantly affect blood gases. Respiratory failure depends on the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen present in the blood. If carbon dioxide levels are elevated and blood oxygen levels are low, the following symptoms may occur:
- dyspnea;
- cyanosis of the fingertips, tip of the nose, lips;
- increased anxiety;
- confusion;
- drowsiness;
- increase in heart rate;
- change in the rhythm of breathing;
- extrasystole or arrhythmia;
- profuse sweating.
Causes of acute respiratory failure
One of the most common causes of respiratory failure is the occlusion of the lumen of the respiratory tract after vomiting, bleeding, or ingestion of small foreign objects. There are also clinical cases of acute respiratory failure. For example, in dentistry, practitioners often encounter forms of insufficiency such as stenotic or obstructive. Stenotic asphyxia is the result of allergic edema. Obstructive asphyxia can be caused by entry into the respiratory tract of various objects used in the treatment, such as a tooth, gauze sponges or impression materials. From this, a person begins to suffocate and, again, oxygen in sufficient quantities does not enter the body.
In the case of acute asphyxia, the patient’s breathing becomes frequent with a further stop, the condition may be accompanied by convulsions and tachycardia. Against the background of asphyxia, the patient’s skin acquires a gray tint, the pulse is weakly filled, consciousness is disturbed. It is important that the medical staff act immediately and accurately if this happened in the hospital, if not, first aid must be provided so that the person survives before the arrival of the ambulance team. The danger is that there is no time to think. The lack of oxygen begins to destroy cells. At any moment, either the brain or one of the vital organs can fail, and the loss of consciousness will only aggravate the situation.
There are various other causes of acute respiratory failure that you should be familiar with. The most important factor in the health of any person is his lifestyle. Since medical intervention rarely leads to shortness of breath and asthma attacks. The reasons for the development of this condition should be sought precisely in your usual way of life. In addition, if an attack begins due to surgical intervention, the doctors will quickly orient themselves and provide the necessary assistance. As for other situations, no one guarantees that a person with a medical education will be nearby. Therefore, doctors advise avoiding factors that are a potential cause of acute respiratory failure.
Main reasons:
- medical intervention in the nasopharynx or oral cavity;
- trauma;
- acute respiratory distress syndrome;
- chemical inhalation;
- alcohol abuse;
- stroke;
- infection.
Any form of injury that compromises the airway can drastically affect the amount of oxygen in the blood, so try to avoid injury. Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a serious disease that occurs against the background of an inflammatory process in the lungs, determined by a violation of the diffusion of gases in the alveoli and a low oxygen content in the blood. Also, the attack leads to the so-called “chemical inhalation” – the inhalation of toxic chemicals, vapors or smoke, which can lead to acute respiratory failure.
Alcohol or drug abuse is not the last cause of an attack. Their overdose can disrupt the brain, in particular, the respiratory center. A stroke in itself causes disruptions in the body, not only the brain and heart suffer, but also the respiratory system. Infection is the most common cause of respiratory distress syndrome.
First aid for acute respiratory failure
The goal of treatment and prevention of respiratory failure is to saturate the body with oxygen and reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the body. Treatment for an attack may include addressing the underlying causes. If you notice a person has acute respiratory failure, then the following steps should be taken. First, immediately seek emergency medical attention, then proceed to provide first aid to the victim.
Check circulation, airways and breathing. To check for a pulse, place two fingers on your neck to check for breathing, tilt your cheek between the victim’s nose and lips, and feel the breath. Watch for chest movements. Do all the necessary manipulations within 5-10 seconds. If the person has stopped breathing, give artificial respiration. Open your mouth, pinch your nose and press your lips against the victim’s mouth. Inhale, if necessary, repeat the manipulation several times. Continue mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until specialized help arrives.
Treatment in the hospital is usually based on the complete elimination of the attack and respiratory failure with drugs to improve breathing. If the person can adequately breathe on their own and the hypoxemia is mild, oxygen can be given from a special canister (a portable air reservoir is always available if needed). In the event that a person cannot breathe on their own, the doctor will insert a breathing tube into the nose or mouth and “plug in” a ventilator to the machine to assist with breathing.
In any case, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the development of respiratory failure and take the necessary emergency measures to restore airway patency.