Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
|
| Definition |
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS) is a dangerous form of lung failure. It can occur in anyone
as a result of lung injury or infection. ARDS is also called "shock
lung" or "wet lung". This type of lung injury causes the blood
vessels in the lung to leak fluid into the tiny breathing sacs
(alveoli). The fluid prevents oxygen from getting into the
bloodstream and causes abnormally low oxygen blood levels
(hypoxemia). People with ARDS cannot breath without the help of a
breathing machine.
|
| Causes |
Conditions that may cause ARDS
include shock, infection (sepsis), pneumonia, trauma (especially
lung trauma), stomach contents or other foreign contents entering
the lung (aspiration injury), drug overdose and surgery.
|
| Treatment |
The treatment for ARDS is
supportive. Most patients require a breathing tube and breathing
machine until lung functioning has adequately improved.
|
| Comments |
People with ARDS are very sick.
Despite improvements in the treatment of ARDS, many people with ARDS
still die. If you have further questions, talk with the doctor or
nurse.
|
| Related
Links |
American Lung Association
American Lung Association basic fact sheet about ARDS.
eMedicine
The eMedicine.com site is a technical site developed for the health
care professional and has extensive information on ARDS and numerous
other medical conditions |
ICU Medical Conditions 
