Respiratory Failure

Seeking medical care is a priority when a person has significant difficulty breathing, a bluish color in the lips or nails, confusion, or extreme fatigue: these may be signs of respiratory failure, a condition that requires urgent evaluation.

Respiratory failure occurs when the lungs are unable to supply enough oxygen to the blood or do not properly remove carbon dioxide. It can appear suddenly or develop gradually from lung, heart, or other underlying problems.

Which specialist treats it? The pulmonologist and the critical care specialist are central figures in its management, often with the involvement of the internist and the emergency physician. When there are worsening signs of shortness of breath, the wisest thing is to seek professional evaluation without delay.