Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a condition when fluid collects in the alveoli. Alveoli are small, elastic air sacs in the lungs. A collection of fluids can make the lungs do not fill enough air and oxygen to the bloodstream to be reduced.

ARDS causes the kidneys and brain to not work normally or stop functioning because they do not get enough oxygen. ARDS is usually experienced by people with critical illness or experiencing severe injuries.

Most ARDS cause death, although there are also patients who can recover completely. The risk of death depends on the age and severity of ARDS.

The symptoms.

Symptoms experienced by people with ARDS vary, depending on the cause and severity.

• Breath is very short.
• Hard to breathe.
• The frequency of breathing becomes fast.
• Drop in blood pressure.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Feeling very tired.
• Sweating a lot.
• Dizzy.
• Bluish lips or nails.
• Dry cough.
• Fever.
• Fast pulse.

Cause.

The cause of ARDS is the seepage of fluid from the capillaries (the smallest blood vessels) in the lungs into the alveoli. Under normal conditions, the membrane of blood vessels can keep the fluid inside. Severe injury or disease can cause fluid leakage from the walls of blood vessels.

These injuries and diseases are :

• Sepsis. 
• Inhalation of hazardous substances, such as concentrated smoke or chemical vapors.
• Pancreatitis.
• Choking.
• Drowning.
• Severe pneumonia.
• Injury to the head, chest or other body parts.
• Burns.
• Overdose of sleeping pills or antidepressants.
• Receive blood transfusions with large blood volumes.

Factors that increase the risk of ARDS :

• Alcohol addiction.
• Age above 65 years.
• Smoke.
• Suffers from chronic lung disease.

Diagnosis.

• Physical examination.
• Chest radiograph.
• Check of blood gas analysis of arteries to see oxygen levels in the blood.
• Blood tests to see for anemia or infection.
• CT scan.
• Cardiac check : Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Echocardiography.

Treatment.

• Providing oxygen, increasing oxygen levels in the patient's bloodstream with additional oxygen through the nasal tube or mask.
• Breathing aids (ventilators). Ventilators help provide additional air pressure to the patient's lungs.
• Adjust the amount of intravenous fluids and nutrients that enter the patient's body, according to clinical trial results and the general condition of the patient.
• Medications to prevent and treat infections, relieve pain, prevent blood clots in the legs and lungs, minimize acid reflux and stomach contents.
• If necessary, administered sleeping pills for patients using a ventilator.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation to strengthen the respiratory system and increase lung capacity when recovering from ARDS.

Complications.

• Blood clots in deep veins in the legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis).
• Lung collapse (pneumothorax). The use of a ventilator risks making small tears in the air sacs of the lungs, thus making air in the lungs out through the small hole and cause the lungs to collapse.
• Infection.
• Pulmonary fibrosis causes the lungs to become inelastic and difficult to drain oxygen.

Prevention.

• Stop smoking and avoid cigarette smoke.
• Stop consuming alcoholic drinks.
• Flu vaccine every year.
• Pneumonia vaccine every five years to reduce the risk of lung infection.