What You Should Know About
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Commonly known as ARDS, adult (or acute) respiratory distress syndrome is a rare disorder in which progressive and widespread inflammation reduces the lungs' ability to function normally. Typically ARDS occurs in patients with other severe illnesses. Because it occurs in the setting of other major illness, ARDS is fatal in approximately 50% of patients. ARDS can be brought on by trauma to the lungs (as from near-drowning, inhaled toxic gases, or widespread pneumonia, for example), shock, extensive surgery, certain blood abnormalities, or a body-wide infection known as sepsis. About half the time, ARDS symptoms begin within 24 hours of the original illness or injury; progressing rapidly to severe respiratory distress which requires mechanical ventilatory support.
Treatments
To treat ARDS, doctors work to remove oxygen-blocking fluids from the patient's lungs while supporting respiration with a ventilator. They set the ventilator to a supportive breathing mode known as positive end-expiratory pressure-commonly known as PEEP. Throughout the delivery of these direct treatments for ARDS, doctors also continue to treat the patient's original illness or injury.
Many experimental treatments are being tested and show promise for treating ARDS more effectively in the future. For example, researchers are testing the effects of inserting a natural substance known as surfactant to help keep the tiniest airways open deep in the lungs. Scientists are also working to develop more effective agents that will combat the inflammation that is a major part of the ARDS problem.
Where to Get More Information
For more information, try these online resources.
- The American Lung Association. To contact the organization by phone, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586- 4872).
- The ARDS Support Center. Education, care, support, and communication for patients, survivors, families, friends, medical personnel, and others affected by and/or interested in ARDS.
- The Daily Lung. A full-featured magazine covering lung disease and related health topics.
- The Pulmonary Paper. Newsletter that helps people with chronic lung problems support each other and keep up on the latest news in respiratory care treatments and products.
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