Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung condition. It occurs when fluid fills up the air sacs in your lungs. Too much fluid in your lungs can lower the amount of oxygen or increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream. ARDS can prevent your organs from getting the oxygen they need to function, and it can eventually cause organ failure.
ARDS most commonly affects hospitalized people who are very ill. It can also be caused by serious trauma. Symptoms usually occur within a day or two of the original illness or trauma, and they may include extreme shortness of breath and gasping for air.
ARDS is a medical emergency and a potentially life-threatening condition.
The symptoms of ARDS typically appear between one to three days after the injury or trauma.
Common symptoms and signs of ARDS include:
- labored and rapid breathing
- muscle fatigue and general weakness
- low blood pressure
- discolored skin or nails
- a dry, hacking cough
- a fever
- headaches
- a fast pulse rate
- mental confusion
ARDS is primarily caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels in your lungs. Fluid from these vessels leaks into the air sacs of the lungs. These air sacs are where oxygen enters and carbon dioxide is removed from your blood. When these air sacs fill with fluid, less oxygen gets to your blood.
Some common things that may lead to this type of lung damage include:
- inhaling toxic substances, such as salt water, chemicals, smoke, and vomit
- developing a severe blood infection
- developing a severe infection of the lungs, such as pneumonia
- receiving an injury to the chest or head, such as during a car wreck or contact sports
- overdosing on sedatives or tricyclic antidepressants
ARDS is usually a complication of another condition. These factors increase the risk of developing ARDS:
- age over 65 years
- chronic lung disease
- a history of alcohol misuse or cigarette smoking
ARDS can be a more serious condition for people who:
- have toxic shock
- are older
- have liver failure
- have a history of alcohol misuse
If you suspect that someone you know has ARDS, you should call 911 or take them to the emergency room. ARDS is a medical emergency, and an early diagnosis may help them survive the condition.
A doctor can diagnose ARDS in several different ways. There’s no one definitive test for diagnosing this condition. The doctor may take a blood pressure reading, perform a physical exam, and recommend any of the following tests:
- a blood test
- a chest X-ray
- a CT scan
- throat and nose swabs
- an electrocardiogram
- an echocardiogram
- an airway examination
Low blood pressure and low blood oxygen can be signs of ARDS. The doctor may rely on an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram to rule out a heart condition. If a chest X-ray or CT scan then reveals fluid-filled air sacs in the lungs, a diagnosis for ARDS is confirmed.
A lung biopsy can also be conducted to rule out other lung diseases. However, this is rarely done.
Oxygen
The primary goal of ARDS treatment is to ensure a person has enough oxygen to prevent organ failure. A doctor may administer oxygen by mask. A mechanical ventilation machine can also be used to force air into the lungs and reduce fluid in the air sacs.
Management of fluids
Management of fluid intake is another ARDS treatment strategy. This can help ensure an adequate fluid balance. Too much fluid in the body can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs. However, too little fluid can cause the organs and heart to become strained.
Medication
People with ARDS are often given medication to deal with side effects. These include the following types of medications:
- pain medication to relieve discomfort
- antibiotics to treat an infection
- blood thinners to keep clots from forming in the lungs or legs
Pulmonary rehabilitation
People recovering from ARDS may need pulmonary rehabilitation. This is a way to strengthen the respiratory system and increase lung capacity. Such programs can include exercise training, lifestyle classes, and support teams to aid in recovery from ARDS.
There’s no way to prevent ARDS completely. However, you may be able to lower your risk of ARDS by doing the following:
- Seek prompt medical assistance for any trauma, infection, or illness.
- Stop smoking cigarettes, and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Give up alcohol. Chronic alcohol use may increase your mortality risk and prevent proper lung function.
- Get your flu vaccine annually and pneumonia vaccine every five years. This decreases your risk of lung infections.
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