When a significant problem arises with breathing, oxygen absorption, or carbon dioxide release.

Can cause serious functional problems with several vital organs

A large drop in available oxygen can lead to hypoxemia

A large increase in carbon dioxide can lead to hypercapnia

Can be caused by pulmonary or non-pulmonary conditions

Symptoms
   -    Hypoxemia
   -    Increased Carbon dioxide levels
   -    Difficulty breathing
   -    Painful breathing
   -    Chest pain
   -    Difficulty talking
   -    Cyanosis
   -    Confusion
   -    Anxiety
   -    Quick or slow heart bear
   -    Increased blood pressure
   -    Unconsciousness
   -    And others

Causes

A large variety of causes exist and only a small selection is shown below

  •    Asthma
  •    Bronchitis
  •    Emphysema
  •    Foreign body
  •    Obstruction
  •    Pneumonia
  •    Pulmonary embolism
  •    Trauma
  •    Pleural Effusion
  •    Pneumothorax
  •    Arrhythmia
  •    Heart failure
  •    Guillain-Barre syndrome
  •    Myasthenia gravis
  •    Drugs
  •    Toxins
  •    Infections

Treatment 
.          Oxygen
 .         Tracheal intubations
 .         Mechanical ventilation
 .         Doxapram  –  Is considered a respiratory stimulant
 .         Naloxone  –  drug used to counter opioid overdoses such as heroin and morphine
 .         Flumazenil  –  drug used in patients that have overdosed on a benzodiazepine [some considered contriaversal overdose medication]

Prognosis depends largely on underlying condition causing the failure.