Lung Failure Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
January 2, 2025

Lung Failure or Lung Failure is when the oxygen in your blood is inadequate or the carbon dioxide is dangerous, thus preventing your organs from working well. This illness may arise abruptly (acute) or progress gradually over some time (chronic). Acute Lung Failure is dangerous as it can quickly become life-threatening.
Under normal circumstances, the lungs take oxygen from the air and transfer it into the bloodstream, providing oxygen to vital organs and removing carbon dioxide from them. However, Lung Failure occurs when this process is interrupted, often because capillaries (tiny blood vessels) around the lung’s air sacs cannot exchange gases effectively.
This impairment in the lung’s ability to facilitate blood oxygenation or expel carbon dioxide gives rise to acute Lung Failure as a result of acute damage to lung structure due to either an illness or injury. Chronic Lung Failure develops gradually over time and results directly from chronic conditions that affect airway structures or compromise the strength of the respiratory muscles.
Symptoms of Lung Failure
The symptoms of Lung Failure depend on the cause and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. Common symptoms include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, extreme fatigue, and palpitations. Sometimes, in extreme cases, patients may start coughing blood or have blood in their mucus.
The blueish colour around the lips, fingertips, and toes is a sign of low oxygen. This can be accompanied by drowsiness and extreme fatigue which could make everyday tasks such as climbing stairs a difficult ordeal.
When there is an excess amount of carbon dioxide a person would experience rapid breathing, confusion, blurred vision, and headaches, together with a pale or bluish coloration of the skin, along with behavioural symptoms that include agitation or restlessness.
Causes of Lung Failure
Lung Failure can be caused by anything that prevents the lungs from receiving and providing oxygen through the body. If something gets lodged in the bronchi and blocks the airways, therefore preventing oxygen, it is called Obstruction. This can also occur when someone has Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) when bronchial tubes constrict. Damage to the lungs caused by spinal cord and brain injuries, rib and chest injuries, or any others that prevent breathing can lead to lung failure. Overdoses or excessive alcohol consumption can suppress brain functioning and distort breathing. Further, infections such as Pneumonia, are a leading cause of severe respiratory distress. Serious infections can lead to tissue and organ damage, as carbon dioxide builds up in the body, reducing oxygen delivery and further worsening respiratory function.
Acute Lung Failure represents a sudden onset and usually is precipitated by an acute disease or injury to the lung or another component of the respiratory system, such as pneumonia, drug overdose, stroke, or lung and spinal cord trauma.
Treatment for Lung Failure
Treatment for Lung Failure is primarily guided by its cause and severity, with key goals including addressing the underlying condition, providing supplemental oxygen, and initiating mechanical ventilation if necessary.
Acute Lung Failure is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to support breathing and prevent further organ damage. In cases of mild chronic Lung Failure, management can often occur at home by addressing the underlying cause. Once the patient is stabilised, healthcare providers will focus on treating the root cause of the Lung Failure.
According to the general condition of the patient, the treatment takes the following forms:
Pain and Breathing Support Medications: If a patient experiences pain or has difficulty breathing, pain relief or other respiratory medications may be administered to help maintain adequate breathing function.
Mechanical Ventilation Support: When a patient cannot breathe adequately on their own, a breathing tube is inserted through the mouth or nose and connected to a ventilator. In cases where long-term support is needed, a tracheostomy may be performed to create an artificial airway directly in the windpipe.
Supplemental Oxygen and ECMO: For patients with mild hypoxemia, supplemental oxygen may be provided in the hospital through a mask or nasal cannula, or at home with a portable tank. ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a bypass machine that assists lung function by adding oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide.
Intravenous (IV) fluids: IV fluids may be administered to improve the circulatory supply of oxygen to all organs.
Management of Underlying Conditions: Depending on the cause of Lung Failure, additional therapies, interventions, or medications may be required to treat the underlying conditions contributing to the failure.
Lung Failure isn’t always preventable, but you can reduce your risk of chronic Lung Failure by effectively managing any ongoing heart, lung, or neurological conditions. If you have a condition that could lead to Lung Failure, consult your healthcare provider for strategies to minimise your risk.
Conclusion
Lung Failure can be a fatal condition if left untreated. It occurs when there is failure of the lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide properly. Lung failure can occur suddenly or develop gradually after a long period due to chronic diseases, infections, or injuries. Early identification of symptoms, timely medical intervention, and management of risk factors can contribute to a positive outcome. While acute lung failure can often be readily treated with emergency medical care, chronic lung failure requires a longer-lasting approach to slowly check progress and maintain a good quality of life. Proactive check-ups in healthcare and adherence to treatment plans help reduce risks and complications related to lung failure.
Frequently asked questions
1.Can You Recover from Lung Failure?
Recovery from acute respiratory failure is determined by the underlying cause, the severity of the condition, and the treatments received. Your treatment plan will address the cause of the respiratory failure, management of any physical trauma that occurred, and treatment of any complications from treatment or medication while in the hospital.
2. When should you Seek Medical Care?
If you have a chronic illness that puts you at risk for respiratory failure, you should talk to a healthcare provider. They can help you detect early warning signs, manage the condition well, and take steps to reduce your risk.
3.Can lung failure be prevented?
Not all forms are preventable, but managing chronic conditions, not smoking, and minimising exposure to pollutants or infections may reduce the risk of lung failure.
4.What is ARDS, and how does this syndrome connect to acute lung failure?
ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is a severe form of lung failure characterised by fluid buildup in the lungs, making breathing difficult and often resulting in low oxygen levels.