Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), pronounced as /əˈkjuːt rɪˈspɪrətəri dɪˈstrɛs sɪnˈdroʊm/, is a severe, often life-threatening condition characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs. It is a form of respiratory failure that can occur in critically ill or injured patients.

Etymology

The term "Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome" was first used in 1967 by Ashbaugh et al. to describe a condition that is characterized by acute onset of tachypnea, hypoxemia, and loss of lung compliance with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiography, in the absence of heart failure.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ARDS can vary in intensity, depending on the severity of the lung damage. Common symptoms include severe shortness of breath, rapid breathing, cyanosis (bluish color in the skin, lips, or fingernails), and extreme fatigue.

Causes

ARDS can be caused by any major injury to the lungs. The most common causes include pneumonia, sepsis, aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs, and severe trauma.

Treatment

Treatment for ARDS typically involves the use of a ventilator to deliver high levels of oxygen to the lungs and to keep the lungs inflated. Other treatments may include medications to treat the underlying cause of ARDS, to prevent infection, and to relieve pain and discomfort.

Related Terms

• Pulmonary edema
• Respiratory failure
• Mechanical ventilation
• Intensive care unit

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Wikipedia's article - Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

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