ventilatory failure

Ventilatory failure occurs when the lungs can't effectively bring oxygen into the body or remove enough carbon dioxide, a waste gas. This can happen if the breathing muscles are weak, lung tissues are damaged, or airways are blocked. As a result, oxygen levels drop, and carbon dioxide builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, rapid breathing, confusion, or fatigue. It often requires medical intervention, such as mechanical ventilation, to support breathing until the underlying cause can be treated.