Causes of CO2 retention in respiratory failure

Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
Updated on December 25, 2024
00:00
00:00

Respiratory failure manifests as hypoxia and the retention of carbon dioxide. The main cause of carbon dioxide retention is pathological changes in the respiratory system, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory failure, status asthmaticus, pulmonary heart disease, lung cancer, etc. Some neuropathies that cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles can lead to respiratory dysfunction, resulting in the retention of carbon dioxide in the body, affecting normal cellular metabolism, causing disturbances in acid-base balance and nervous system function, and posing life-threatening conditions. The most important pathogenic mechanism causing carbon dioxide retention in these diseases is still inadequate alveolar ventilation.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
30sec home-news-image

Does respiratory failure spread?

Respiratory failure is a condition characterized by significant decline in respiratory function and is clinically very serious, being a common critical and acute illness. Respiratory failure itself is not contagious, but certain diseases that cause respiratory failure can be contagious. For example, if it is caused by infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, then the tuberculosis can be transmitted, but respiratory failure itself is not contagious.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Miao Yun
Internal Medicine
56sec home-news-image

Can respiratory failure be cured?

Respiratory failure is a critical condition in clinical settings, characterized by high mortality rates and the potential to impair multiple organ functions, thus endangering the lives of patients. However, in cases of chronic respiratory failure, it is generally incurable, as the respiratory function of these patients has already declined significantly. For patients with acute respiratory failure, the possibility of recovery is closely tied to the ability to diagnose early and administer effective treatment promptly. If acute respiratory failure is treated effectively early on by removing the trigger and the cause, and if the respiratory function can significantly improve within a short time, then there is still a chance for a cure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Miao Yun
Internal Medicine
44sec home-news-image

Respiratory failure is a disease.

Respiratory failure is a condition caused by severe impairment of lung ventilation and gas exchange functions due to various reasons, leading to ineffective gas exchange. This results in hypoxia in the body, accompanied by either retention or non-retention of carbon dioxide, thereby causing a clinical syndrome of physiological and metabolic disorders. The causes of respiratory failure include diseases of the lung tissue, respiratory tract disorders, pulmonary vascular diseases, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, among other factors, all of which can lead to respiratory failure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
59sec home-news-image

Causes of respiratory failure

Respiratory failure is a severe breathing difficulty that can lead to hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention. The causes of respiratory failure can be broadly classified into the following categories: First, there are diseases of the lung parenchyma, such as various lung infections, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, lung abscess, and diseases of the lung interstitium. Another type involves obstruction of the airway, including obstruction in the upper respiratory tract, which covers the nose, pharynx, and larynx, as well as obstructions in the lower respiratory tract, which can also lead to respiratory failure. Third, there are diseases involving the peripheral nervous transmission system and the respiratory machinery, such as acute infectious polyradiculoneuritis, poliomyelitis, and some cervical spine injuries. These can severely affect the respiratory center and respiratory nerves, leading to respiratory failure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Can people with respiratory failure exercise?

Whether people with respiratory failure can exercise depends mainly on whether the respiratory failure occurred acutely or chronically. Generally, it is usually advised against exercising during acute respiratory failure, such as severe pulmonary inflammation, drowning, or failure of the nervous system functions. Exercise during this time can worsen the body's oxygen deficit and increase oxygen consumption, potentially exacerbating the symptoms of the disease. However, for chronic respiratory failure, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, patients have long been enduring hypoxia or hypercapnia. These individuals can engage in appropriate respiratory rehabilitation exercises, such as respiratory rehabilitation gymnastics and some traditional Chinese medicine practices, which can greatly aid in the recovery from the disease, particularly respiratory failure. The decision primarily depends on the patient’s specific condition and their physical tolerance.