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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition that causes lung swelling and fluid build up in the air sacs. ARDS is a medical emergency. While ARDS shares some similarities with infant respi...
Basic Info
Symptoms
Shortness of breath; Labored, rapid breathing; Low blood pressure or shock (low blood pressure accompanied by organ fai...
Causes
ARDS can be caused by any major lung inflammation or injury. Some common causes include pneumonia, septic shock, trauma...
Tests
Chest auscultation (examination with a stethoscope) reveals abnormal breath sounds, such as crackles that suggest fluid...
Treatments
The objective of treatment is to provide enough support for the failing respiratory system (and other systems) until th...
Alternative Therapies
Many family members of people with ARDS are under extreme stress. This can often be alleviated by joining support group...
Complications
Multiple organ system failure; Pulmonary fibrosis; Ventilator-associated pneumonia; Damage to the lungs from the high v...
Prevention
The only way to prevent ARDS is to avoid those diseases and harmful conditions that damage the lung. If a patient needs...
Doctor Specialties
Usually, ARDS occurs in the setting of another illness, for which the patient is already in the hospital. Occasionally,...
Basic Info
In Depth
In Depth
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