What is acute respiratory distress syndrome?

 What is acute respiratory distress syndrome?

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a serious medical condition where the lungs become severely inflamed and filled with fluid, making it difficult for oxygen to pass into the blood. It is a life-threatening emergency that usually requires treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Definition of ARDS

ARDS stands for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
It is a condition in which the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs become damaged and leak fluid, preventing normal oxygen exchange. This leads to severe breathing difficulty and low oxygen levels in the body.

Causes of ARDS

ARDS is usually triggered by another illness or injury, iincluding

🔹 Direct lung injuries:

  • Pneumonia

  • Inhalation of toxic fumes or smoke

  • Aspiration (inhaling vomit or food into lungs)

  • Near drowning

🔹 Indirect causes (through the bloodstream):

  • Sepsis (serious blood infection)

  • Severe trauma or injury

  • Pancreatitis

  • Multiple blood transfusions

  • Burns

  • COVID-19 (in some severe cases)

What Happens in ARDS?

  1. An illness or injury causes inflammation in the lungs.

  2. The walls of the alveoli (air sacs) get damaged.

  3. Fluid leaks into the alveoli, reducing oxygen absorption.

  4. The lungs stiffen and become less elastic.

  5. Breathing becomes very difficult, and oxygen levels in the blood drop dangerously low.

Symptoms of ARDS

ARDS symptoms usually develop within hours to a few days after the triggering event.

Common symptoms include

  • Severe shortness of breath

  • Rapid breathing

  • Low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia)

  • Cough (sometimes with frothy or pink sputum)

  • Bluish skin, lips, or nails (cyanosis)

  • Fatigue or confusion

Diagnosis of ARDS

Doctors use the following tools to diagnose ARDS:

  • Chest X-ray or CT scan (shows fluid in the lungs)

  • Blood tests (check oxygen levels)

  • Pulse oximetry (measures oxygen saturation)

  • Arterial blood gases (ABG)

  • Physical examination and medical history

ARDS is diagnosed when oxygen levels are low without signs of heart failure as the main cause.

Treatment of ARDS

ARDS requires urgent medical treatment, usually in the ICU.

Main treatment approaches:

Oxygen Therapy

  • Via face mask or nasal cannula

  • Mechanical ventilation (most common)

  • Prone positioning (lying on the stomach to improve lung function)

Medications

  • Antibiotics (if infection is present)

  • Diuretics (to reduce fluid in lungs)

  • Pain relievers and sedatives

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs (like corticosteroids in some cases)

Supportive Care

  • Nutritional support

  • Preventing blood clots and infections

  • Treating the underlying cause (e.g., sepsis, pneumonia)

Complications of ARDS

  • Lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis)

  • Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)

  • Organ failure (especially kidneys)

  • Long-term breathing problems

  • Weakness and fatigue

  • Psychological issues (like PTSD after ICU stay)

Prognosis and Recovery

  • ARDS can be fatal, especially in older adults or those with other illnesses.

  • Survival rate depends on the cause, severity, and overall health.

  • Many survivors recover well, but some may have long-term lung damage or weakness.

  • Rehabilitation and breathing exercises can help during recovery.

In Simple Words:

ARDS is a sudden, serious lung condition where fluid fills the lungs and makes breathing very hard. It often happens due to infections, injuries, or other illnesses and needs urgent hospital care.

FAQs about ARDS

❓ Is ARDS the same as pneumonia?

No. Pneumonia is an infection; ARDS is a severe reaction of the lungs that can be caused by pneumonia.

❓ Can ARDS be cured?

ARDS can improve with treatment, but recovery may take time. Some people may have lasting lung problems.

❓ What is the difference between ARDS and COVID-19?

COVID-19 can cause ARDS in severe cases. ARDS is a complication, not a disease itself.


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