Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respritory distress syndrome is a failure of the repiratory system which can occur rather quickly. It occurs when the the air sacs of the lungs, known as the alveoli, suddenly fill up with fluids. This deprives your body of oxygen and breathing becomes very difficult in a short lenght of time. The condition usually occurs in individuals who are extremely ill or have severe injuries. Between twenty-five to fourty percent of people who experience ARDS do not survive. Those who do survive typically do not regain full use of their lungs for up to a full year.

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ARDS is usually indicated by a shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, and a weak pulse. ARDS is usually accompanied by another life-threatening condition so it requires immediate medical attention. The treatment for ARDS consists of providing the body with much needed oxygen. This is typically accomplished through means of a ventilator or supplemental oxygen. Patients are given a varied of medications to include pain relievers, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, and even sedatives. There is hope in most case for the individual to recover from the condition. The prognosis is highly dependant on what other factors attributed to the condition.