Respiratory Distress vs Failure: What’s the Difference?

Respiratory distress and respiratory failure are both serious conditions that affect breathing. In some situations they can be related, but they are distinct conditions that should be understood separately. Both are typically treated as a medical emergency due to the fact that they interfere with the basic function of breathing.

By learning more about respiratory distress and failure and what the differences are, you can work toward the best possible response when encountering a breathing or respiratory problem in yourself or a loved one.

What is respiratory distress?

The most basic definition of respiratory distress is when the lungs are unable to take in enough oxygen to transfer to the bloodstream. One form of respiratory distress is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which causes fluid to build up in the lungs, inhibiting breathing and the transfer of oxygen into the bloodstream. ARDS usually develops in patients who are already dealing with another disease or serious injury.

The most common sign of any form of respiratory distress is labored breathing due to the air sacs being filled with fluid. Respiratory distress can happen quickly or develop over a couple of days, depending on the underlying cause. Other symptoms include:

• Visible bluish color around the mouth or fingertips
• Flaring nostrils
• Abnormal sounds when exhaling, such as grunting or wheezing
• Sinking chest when breathing
• Sweating

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to seek immediate medical assistance if you or the patient is not already under care.

What is respiratory failure?

According to the NIH, respiratory failure is described as when there is too little oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in the bloodstream as a result of the lungs being unable to properly perform the exchange. When this occurs, the body begins to shut down, which can cause long-term damage and be potentially life-threatening.

Respiratory failure can be both acute and chronic, depending on the cause. Like respiratory distress, respiratory failure can be caused by illness or injury, as well as chronic conditions that affect the muscles used for breathing.

In addition to symptoms such as difficulty breathing and a bluish tint on the lips and extremities, hallmark signs of respiratory distress include:

• A sensation known as “air hunger” or the feeling of not being able to get enough air due to low oxygen in the blood
• Heart arrhythmias or an abnormally low heartbeat
• Confusion, drowsiness, or loss of consciousness due to low oxygen in the brain

Whether a person is dealing with chronic or acute respiratory failure, the above signs indicate a medical emergency that requires immediate assistance.

The Difference Between Respiratory Distress and Respiratory Failure

While some may use them interchangeably, there is a difference between respiratory distress versus respiratory failure in the definitions of the terms themselves. In medicine, distress generally means an inability to adapt to stressors and return to a normal state. Failure refers to an inability of an organ or system to function properly.

Respiratory distress can very often lead to respiratory failure, although this is not always the case. Similarly, it is possible for respiratory failure to occur without obvious signs of respiratory distress. Overall, it is up to a physician to make a diagnosis of respiratory distress, respiratory failure, or both in an individual patient.

The most important thing to know is that any of the above symptoms of respiratory distress or respiratory failure should be taken very seriously. If a patient receives a diagnosis for chronic respiratory failure they should receive immediate medical assistance.

Contact Sonas for Home Health Care in Florida

It can be hard to balance your time between work, home, and caring for a child. That’s why our team of skilled professionals at Sonas Home Health Care is here to help. We have been enforcing precautionary measures and following the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19 to ensure the safety and health of our clients and employees.

Our home health care services offer support in the comfort of your home. We refer loving and competent nurses to provide customized care for families — from a few hours a day to around-the-clock supervision. Contact us directly to speak with a home health care professional or request a free in-home assessment. Together we can determine the best plan of action to keep your loved ones happy and healthy.

If you or a loved one are considering Pediatric Home Health Care Services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today at (888) 592-5855.

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.