Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a form of lung failure. It is a life-threatening lung condition. ARDS can occur in very ill or severely injured people. It is not a specific disease.

ARDS starts with the tiny blood vessels in the lungs. These vessels leak fluid into the lung sacs. The fluid decreases the ability of the lungs to move oxygen into the body.

ARDS can develop in anyone over the age of one year old.

If you suspect you or someone else has this condition, get medical help immediately.

ARDS can be caused by many types of injuries, including:

• Direct injury to the lungs:
  • Aspiration of stomach contents
  • Breathing smoke, chemicals, or salt water
  • Burns
  • Cardiopulmonary bypass
  • Chest trauma, such as a heavy blow
  • High attitude disease
  • Obstructed airways
  • Oxygen toxicity
  • Radiation
  • Tuberculosis
• Indirect injury to the lungs:
  • Massive blood transfusion
  • Severe inflammation of the pancreas ( pancreatitis )
  • Burn
  • Head trauma
  • Overdoses of alcohol or certain drugs (eg, aspirin, cocaine, opioids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants)
  • Pneumonia
  • Severe infection
  • Shock

ARDS may occur within few days of a lung or bone marrow transplantation.

ARDS develops most often in people who are being treated for the conditions listed above. Very few who have these issues will go on to develop ARDS.

Factors that may increase your risk of ARDS include:

• Age over 65
• Chronic lung disease
• Cigarette smoking

If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to ARDS. These may be caused by other, more or less serious health conditions. If you or someone else is experiencing any one of them, seek medical help:

• Bluish skin or fingernail color
• Chills
• Dry Cough
• Fast, labored breathing
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Rapid pulse
• Shortness of breath

They often develop within 24-48 hours of the injury.

Doctors may suspect ARDS when:

• A chest x-ray shows fluid in the air sacs of both lungs
• A person suffering from severe infection or injury develops acute, severe breathing problems
• Blood tests show a dangerously low level of oxygen in the blood
• Other conditions that could cause breathing problems have been ruled out

The doctor will ask about symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. People who develop ARDS may be too sick to complain of symptoms. If a patient shows signs of developing ARDS, tests may include the following:

• Occasionally, an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), to rule out congestive heart failure
• Open lung biopsy is reserved for cases when diagnosis is difficult to establish
• Blood pressure check
• Blood tests—to look for oxygen levels, evidence of infection (complete blood count, viral and bacterial cultures) and markers of heart failure
• Bronchoscopy to analyze airways—A laboratory examination may indicate presence of certain viruses or cancer cells
• Chest x-ray
• Pulmonary artery catheterization to aid in diagnostic work-up
• Swabs from nose and throat for identifying viruses

Talk with the doctor about the best plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

• Providing support until the lungs heal:
  • Mechanical ventilation—a machine to help you breathe through a tube placed in the mouth or nose, or through an opening created in the neck
  • Monitoring blood chemistry and fluid levels
  • Oxygen via a face mask or nasal prong
• Treating the underlying cause or injury

Often, ARDS patients are sedated to tolerate these treatments.

To help reduce your chances of getting ARDS, seek timely treatment for any direct or indirect injury to the lungs.