What are the 4 Types of Respiratory Distress?

A Guide to Understanding 4 Types of Respiratory Distress

Nowadays, recognizing health emergencies, especially those related to respiratory issues, is more critical than ever. Respiratory distress happens when the lungs cannot deliver enough oxygen to the body or extract sufficient carbon dioxide.

Respiratory distress can be caused by acute illnesses, like pneumonia or bronchitis, or chronic ailments, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, and cystic fibrosis.

Understanding various forms of respiratory distress will enable healthcare providers to offer timely treatment and encourage patients and caregivers to determine warning signs in the early stages. Keep reading to understand the types of respiratory distress.

What are the Different Types of Respiratory Distress?

Respiratory distress develops in various ways depending on the cause. The 4 primary types of respiratory distress are:

1. Upper Airway Obstruction

This type of respiratory distress develops when there is a blockage or narrowing of the upper respiratory airway, where air cannot pass to reach the lungs. Such issues are triggered by foreign body aspiration, anaphylaxis, angioedema, or infections like epiglottitis and croup.

Visible symptoms of upper airway obstruction are high-pitched breathing sounds during inhalation (stridor), visible breathing retractions, inability to speak, and evidence of panic or restlessness.

Emergency management can include airway suctioning, intubation, or, in extreme cases, surgery such as cricothyroidotomy to secure the airway and provide sufficient oxygenation.

2. Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure develops when the lungs cannot supply enough oxygen to the blood or cannot efficiently remove carbon dioxide. This can be caused by severe asthma, pneumonia, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), or deteriorating COPD.

Its main symptoms comprise shallow or abnormally slow breathing, blue skin or lips (cyanosis), confusion, and inability to speak because of severe shortness of breath.

Treatment of respiratory failure usually involves oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. The healthcare providers also try to determine and treat the underlying cause to reverse the failure.

3. Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections, including viral illnesses such as influenza and COVID-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019), and bacterial infections like pneumonia, can lead to severe breathing difficulties, especially in older adults or individuals with weakened immune systems.

Some major symptoms of this condition are repeated cough (occasionally with blood or mucus), pain in the chest, chills, fever, and shortness of breath.

Treatment consists of antibiotics and antivirals if the infection is bacterial or viral. Supportive treatment, such as rest, fluids, oxygen therapy, and fever management, alleviates symptoms and facilitates recovery.

4. Chronic Respiratory Conditions Exacerbation

This distress form develops in patients with chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, in which the symptoms rapidly deteriorate as a result of inciting factors. These include infections, pollution, allergens, etc.

Warning symptoms are worsening cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing despite normal medication, and noticeable when breathing, typically with an accessory muscle and chest movement.

Management includes stabilizing the patient with bronchodilators and using inhaled bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and supplemental oxygen. Hospitalization in a few cases might be necessary to control the flare-up and avoid further aggravations.

Identification of the type of respiratory distress is critical in enabling immediate and effective treatment. Each has a different set of challenges and needs to be treated specifically. Knowing them properly can be the difference between life and death in acute situations. Make sure to get medical assistance when symptoms become extreme or arise abruptly.

Therefore, it is also crucial to have health insurance to protect your health and finances in times of medical emergency. At Star Health, we offer extensive coverage for respiratory diseases under our Star Health Assure Insurance Policy. We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with reduced turnaround time across over 14,000 network hospitals in India.

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