Question 1

what number of people on average die of respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

RESP Failure: If you're referring to Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome or ARDS, there are about 200,000 cases with 75,000 deaths annually

Question 2

is it possible to live on a ventilator forever with respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

No one lives forever: One could live many years on a ventilator with a tracheostomy (hole in the neck) depending on the cause and other factors, but its not without its complications, and quality of life must come into play.

Question 3

can it be possible for you to live on a ventilator with respiratory failure forever?

Accepted Answer

Long term...: There are patients who do live on ventilators for prolonged periods of time, even many years! The length of time a patient can live on a ventilator depends on many factors including the reason for the ventilator, diseases in other organs besides the lungs, etc. There are places that care for patients on ventilators long-term. Hope this answers your question!!

Question 4

why do people get respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

Many reasons: They may have underlying lung disease which is made worse by an infection or other trigger, or they may have an overwhelming other problem such as a heart attack, stroke, sepsis, major trauma or a variety of other things. Bottom line, there is a failure to oxygenate, or failure to ventilate, or both. Treatment and prognosis depends on all of the above. Hope this helps!

Question 5

what are the tests for respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

Depends...: The diagnosis of respiratory failure is typically made on the basis of abgs and the overall clinical picture. But, the cause of the respiratory failure needs to be diagnosed so it can be treated. To diagnose the cause of the respiratory failure requires a diagnostic work-up beginning with a history and physical exam which will then determine the rest of the work-up.

Question 6

how does shock lead to respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

See below: In response to shock, the body secretes many substances, called cytokines, which may be damaging to the lungs causing an acute inflammatory reaction.

Question 7

how painful is death from respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

It varies: If you see people who are drowning, they really struggle at the beginning. People who develop resp failure from sepsis or copd, they suffer initially, but as the co2 rises it serves as a narcotic and we see them gasping but probably not suffering once consciousness wanes. But acute resp failure from any cause makes someone struggle. So please don't do anything bad.

Question 8

so what are the symptoms of respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory failure: There are a couple causes of respiratory failure that can manifest differently.  Respiratory failure from not getting enough oxygen usually causes people to breathe fast and deep and feel extrememly shrt of breath.  Respiratory failure from too much carbon dioxide usually makes people sleepy and unresponsive.  Respiratory failure from an obstructed airway makes it impossible to talk.

Question 9

do lots of people get respiratory failure, or is it unusual?

Accepted Answer

Very common: Respiratory failure is very common, most patients in intensive care units require mechanical ventilation to breath and therefore have respiratory failure. In terms of chronic respiratory failure, where the lung function is severely impaired, one way to look at it is the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( copd, that is emphysema and chronic bronchitis is the nations 4th leading cause of death.

Question 10

what are the main symptoms of end stage respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

Wide range....: There are a wide range of symptoms depending on if the respiratory failure results in carbon dioxide elevation or just low oxygen levels. Low oxygen levels can cause shortness of breath at rest when end-stage, fatigue, mental status change whereas high carbon dioxide levels can cause confusion, sleepiness. The skin can look blue especially at the fingertips, toes, lips. Coma and death can occur.

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Respiratory failure medication

A member asked:

What number of people on average die of respiratory failure?

A member asked:

Is it possible to live on a ventilator forever with respiratory failure?

A member asked:

Can it be possible for you to live on a ventilator with respiratory failure forever?

A member asked:

Why do people get respiratory failure?

A member asked:

What are the tests for respiratory failure?

A member asked:

How does shock lead to respiratory failure?

A member asked:

How painful is death from respiratory failure?

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So what are the symptoms of respiratory failure?

A member asked:

Do lots of people get respiratory failure, or is it unusual?

A member asked:

What are the main symptoms of end stage respiratory failure?

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