US Medical Term · conditions
Respiratory Failure
Insuficiencia respiratoria
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Respiratory Failure |
| Spanish (Español) | Insuficiencia respiratoria |
| Chinese (中文) | 呼吸衰竭 |
| Korean (한국어) | 호흡 부전 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Suy hô hấp |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Kabiguan ng Paghinga |
| Portuguese (Português) | Insuficiência respiratória |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ภาวะหายใจล้มเหลว |
| Japanese (日本語) | 呼吸不全 |
What it means
Respiratory failure occurs when the lungs cannot maintain adequate levels of oxygen in the blood, or cannot remove enough carbon dioxide. It is a serious condition that can result from severe pneumonia, COPD exacerbation, COVID-19, drug overdose, or trauma. There are two types: hypoxemic failure with low blood oxygen, and hypercapnic failure with elevated carbon dioxide. Symptoms include extreme shortness of breath, rapid breathing, confusion, and bluish skin. Treatment requires urgent medical care including supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and addressing the underlying cause. Respiratory failure is frequently managed in an intensive care unit.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I was told I went into respiratory failure and was put on a ventilator during my hospitalization.
Me dijeron que entré en insuficiencia respiratoria y me pusieron en un ventilador durante mi hospitalización.
What caused my respiratory failure and how can I prevent it from happening again?
¿Qué causó mi insuficiencia respiratoria y cómo puedo evitar que vuelva a ocurrir?
What signs should I watch for that my breathing is getting worse enough to go to the emergency room?
¿Qué señales debo vigilar que indiquen que mi respiración empeora lo suficiente para ir a urgencias?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
J96 Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classifiedRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026