ARDS is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in small air sacs, the alveoli in the lungs. Collection of fluid in the lungs leads to poor exchange of air in the lungs, leading to fall in oxygen level in the blood stream. Thus, there is less oxygen supply to the different vital organs like the brain, heart, kidneys, etc. leading to impaired function of those organs.
This condition is usually seen in people who are already seriously ill or in people suffering from a severe degree of trauma. The main symptom of ARDS is difficulty in breathing; this symptom usually appears within hours to days following injury or trauma.
The outcome of ARDS is often fatal, especially in older people and in those who are already suffering from another sort of serious disease. Many of the survivors of ARDS suffer from long time impairment of lung function although some recovers completely.
Treatment options include correction of the deficit in the blood oxygen level, maintenance of body fluid by administering intravenous fluid, drugs like antibiotics to treat the underlying infection, pain killers, etc. are advised.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ARDS vary in severity depending on the underlying cause. Common presenting symptoms include severe degree of impairment of respiration, rapid and shallow breathing, fall in blood pressure, confusion and increased tiredness etc.
Usually the symptoms of ARDS appear within the first 7 days of the underlying illness or injury. ARDS is a life threatening situation requiring immediate medical attention. Despite the availability of an advanced treatment option number of complications may arise.
1. Pulmonary fibrosis : characterized by thickening of the tissue in between the alveoli making the oxygen exchange between the alveolar air and the circulating blood much difficult
2. Collapse of the lungs or pneumothorax: ventilator is a machine used in ARDS to facilitate removal of fluid and improve oxygen supply into the lungs. Sometimes the increased air force used by the ventilator may leak outside the lungs and cause collapse of the lungs.
3. Clotting of blood or thrombus formation: ARDS is associated with prolonged immobilization and confinement to the bed, thus there is increased chance of formation of blood clot (thrombus) in the deep veins of the legs leading to deep vein thrombosis.
4. Risk of suffering from infection is increased
5. In some patients with ARDS the lung function is never normal again; there is permanent impairment, however in some the condition improves within months to two years
6. Memory loss: poor oxygen supply to the brain in ARDS patients may lead to loss of memory. Sometimes even after recovery patients suffer from cognitive and behavioral problems. Depression is a very common mental health problem in ARDS survivors
Causes
In the lungs the air exchange or entry and exit of oxygen in the blood occurs in the alveoli. The alveoli are covered with protective membrane. Following severe trauma or long standing illness, these membranes are compromised leading to entry and collection of the fluid in the alveoli.
Common associated diseases include serious and widespread infection, inhalation of noxious substances, severe degree of pneumonia, motor traffic accidents, especially those associated with injury to head and chest.
Common risk factors include past history of suffering from ARDS, chronic alcoholism, widespread infections, old age, severe degree of trauma, etc.
Treatment
The primary goal of the treatment is restoration of oxygen level in the blood either by ventilation in severe cases and in milder cases supplementary oxygen delivered through masks, fluid with regular monitoring, along with antibiotics, pain killers, etc.