Respiratory failure is a critical medical condition characterized by the inability of the lungs and respiratory system to adequately exchange gases, resulting in insufficient oxygenation and/or excessive buildup of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. This physiological failure can be classified as hypoxemic failure, which indicates low levels of oxygenation, or hypercapnic failure, which indicates elevated levels of carbon dioxide. The underlying causes are diverse and include restrictive lung diseases that limit lung expansion, or obstructive diseases that impede the flow of air out of the airways. Treatment often involves interventions designed to improve ventilation mechanics and support gas exchange processes until the root cause is addressed.