ARDS is a life-threatening condition. The lungs become severely inflamed and fail to provide the body with enough oxygen.
ARDS usually follows a serious illness or injury so generally, most people who develop it are already in hospital, as it .
What causes ARDS?
ARDS is caused when the lungs become severely inflamed, usually as a complication of a serious health condition.
ARDS can be triggered by:
- infection (pneumonia and severe flu)
- inhalation of vomit, smoke or toxic chemicals
- acute pancreatitis
- adverse reaction to a blood transfusion
- blood poisoning (sepsis)
- severe chest injury
- near drowning
People who have a history of smoking, long-term alcoholism or obese more at risk of ARDS .
Signs and symptoms of ARDS
ARDS can come on very quickly.
Symptoms (and other, more common lung conditions) include:
- feeling faint
- rapid, shallow breathing
- severe shortness of breath
- tiredness, drowsiness or confusion
First aid for ARDS
There is no first aid as such, the patient should be admitted ICU, on a ventilator. The underlying cause of ARDS will be treated too.