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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Respiratory Failure In Adults?

My mom has advanced copd and has been told she is in respiratory failure. She is extremely weak, sleepy and tired and has a hard time passing urine. Could she be having kidney failure. She is on 3 l of oxygen all the time.... Pay really ! What a bunch of Bs
Mon, 20 Jul 2015
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your mother's situation and problem.
By your history and description, possibility of respiratory failure is more.
COPD patients tend to have type 2 respiratory failure. It is actually hypercarbic respiratory failure. In this patient fails to exhale carbon dioxide.
So excess carbon dioxide accumulate in the body and cause hypercarbia (high carbon dioxide).
High carbon dioxide causes sleepiness, tiredness, drowsiness, weakness etc.
So her symptoms are suggestive of hypercarbic respiratory failure more.
Possibility of renal failure is less. In this patient develops anuria (no urine), edema face and lower limbs etc.
Best way to differentiate between respiratory and renal failure is by ABG (arterial blood gas) analysis and renal function test.
Hope I have solved your query.
Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.
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What Causes Respiratory Failure In Adults?

Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your mother s situation and problem. By your history and description, possibility of respiratory failure is more. COPD patients tend to have type 2 respiratory failure. It is actually hypercarbic respiratory failure. In this patient fails to exhale carbon dioxide. So excess carbon dioxide accumulate in the body and cause hypercarbia (high carbon dioxide). High carbon dioxide causes sleepiness, tiredness, drowsiness, weakness etc. So her symptoms are suggestive of hypercarbic respiratory failure more. Possibility of renal failure is less. In this patient develops anuria (no urine), edema face and lower limbs etc. Best way to differentiate between respiratory and renal failure is by ABG (arterial blood gas) analysis and renal function test. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.