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Chronic respiratory insufficiency Causes and Risks:
Chronic respiratory insufficiency is associated with chronic lung diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) such as emphysema , chronic bronchitis , or diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis . The body is subjected to chronically reduced oxygen levels or chronically elevated amounts of carbon dioxide. This results in respiratory acidosis (acidic body state associated with lung disorders). The incidence is approximately 5 out of 10,000 people. The biggest risk for chronic lung diseases is smoking .
Prevention:
Early recognition and treatment of small airway disease in people who smoke, combined with smoking cessation, may prevent progression of the disease.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
An examination often reveals increased work involved in breathing: nasal flaring may be evident during air intake, chest inspection reveals contraction of the muscles between the ribs (intercostal retraction) and the use of accessory breathing muscles. Arterial blood gas shows low levels of oxygen (hypoxemia) and respiratory acidosis .
Treatment:
There is usually no treatment other than supportive measures. The person must stop smoking . Chronic , low-flow oxygen may be needed in some cases.
Support Groups:
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See lung disease - support group .
Prognosis:
This condition is associated with chronic (long-term) illness.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if there is a rapid increase in shortness of breath or if complications develop.
Spirometry is a painless study of air volume and flow rate within the lungs. Spirometry is frequently used to evaluate lung function in people with obstructive or restrictive lung diseases (such as asthma or cystic fibrosis).
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