Symptoms Of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs when fluid builds up in the tiny, elastic air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. More fluid in your lungs means less oxygen can reach your bloodstream. This deprives your organs of the oxygen they need to function.

It causes a decrease in lung functions, and very often, shows signs of breathlessness. It is indeed a destructive disease of the lung in which the alveoli (small sacs) that promote oxygen exchange between the air and the bloodstream are destroyed. Emphysema is a progressive, degenerative kind of disease that destroys many alveolar walls. As a result, clusters of small air sacs merge into larger chambers, which decrease the total surface area of the alveolar walls. At the same time, the alveolar walls lose their elasticity and the capillary networks associated with the alveoli diminish (Shier et al; 2010). It is in this sense that a person with emphysema finds it very difficult and increasingly hard to breath, has to force air out of the lungs because the tissue elasticity of the lungs and for that matter, the alveolar sacs have reduced or completely destroyed. Furthermore, abnormal muscular efforts are required to compensate for the lack of elastic recoil that normally contributes to

changes in the lungs. The walls of the airways thicken and more mucus is produced. Damage to

To ensure that adequate oxygen is available to the tissues, supplemental oxygen may be needed. Pulmonary injuries fall into several categories: upper airway injury; inhalation injury below the glottis, including carbon monoxide poisoning; and restrictive defects. Upper airway injury results from direct heat or edema. It is manifested by mechanical obstruction of the upper airway, including the pharynx and larynx. Because of the cooling effect of rapid vaporization in the pulmonary tract, direct heat injury does not normally occur below the level of the bronchus. Upper airway injury is treated by early intubation. Inhalation injury below the glottis results from inhaling the products of incomplete combustion or noxious gases. These products include carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, aldehydes, cyanide, ammonia, chlorine, phosgene, benzene, and halogens. The injury results directly from chemical irritation of the pulmonary tissues at the alveolar level. Inhalation injuries below the glottis cause loss of ciliary action, hypersecretion, severe mucosal edema, and possibly bronchospasm. The pulmonary surfactant is reduced, resulting in atelectasis (collapse of alveoli). Expectoration of carbon particles in the sputum is the cardinal sign of this injury. Carbon monoxide is probably the most common cause of inhalation injury because it is a

According to the American Lung Association, “Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rapidly progressive disease occurring in critically ill patients.” ARDS is an extreme manifestation of a lung injury that can be associated with an acute medical problem. This occurs as a result of direct or indirect trauma to the lungs. With nearly 200,000 cases in the United States each year, ARDS is not extremely common (“Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome”). Most people who acquire this disease are critically ill patients within the hospital. The most common predisposing medical problems of ARDS consist of: shock, trauma, pulmonary infections, sepsis, aspiration, and cardiopulmonary bypass (Ignatavicious, 2013). ARDS is a severe syndrome and even with prompt and aggressive medical treatment, almost fifty percent of those diagnosed do not survive. Those who survive have a longer hospital stay along with recurring hospital admissions throughout their lifetime (“Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome”). Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a rapidly progressive disease which requires thorough assessment, rapid diagnosis, and emergency treatment measures in order to successfully respond to the disease process.

Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a highly contagious virus that is contracted when the victim touches a surface or sneezes. It is believed that SARS primarily attacks the lungs but it is not fully understood if it is the only organ affected. Some liver abnormalities have occurred but it is not fully known if the disease attacks the liver as well. The virus is believed to have originated from China, but it was diagnosed in a Vietnamese hospital by Dr. Carlo Urbani. Both the doctor and the patient died from SARS complications.

This leads to oedema, coagulation in alveolar spaces causing deficit of anatomical structure & function. This injury can take up to 24 hours to develop eventually leading to poor perfusion, increased pulmonary vascular resistance and decreased lung compliance. “50-60% of patients with significant pulmonary contusions will develop bilateral Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)...(trauma.org 2004)”

Acute on chronic respiratory failure with severe hypoxemia can cause serious complications. The respiratory system is responsible for the bodies gas exchange of O2 and CO2. All the organs of the body need oxygen rich blood to function correctly. The lungs are a very delicate sponge like organ that consist of capillaries for oxygen transport and alveolar air-filled sacs. the patients have been exposed to a toxic inhalant chemical and has a history of tobacco use, this correlate with his current state of health. The patient was originally brought into an ER with his oxygen saturation at 51%, when he was stabilized he was brought to this facility.

Pulmonary Edema is a condition caused by excess of fluid in the lungs. This fluid collects in the numerous air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Pulmonary edema is caused by heart problems. The fluid can accumulate for other reasons, including pneumonia, exposure to certain toxins and medications, trauma to the chest wall, and exercising or living at high elevations. Treatment for Pulmonary Edema varies depending on the cause but generally includes supplemental oxygen and medications. Depending on the cause, Pulmonary Edema symptoms may appear suddenly or develop over time. Pulmonary Edema can be fatal if not treated.

Usually other diseases caused infect lung such as infection, injuries or smoke people that cause to enter a small amount of water in alveoli and lung blood vessels it cause obstructed the work of lung and the amount of oxygen that entering

When an individual has pneumonia, chronic or acute, their lungs fill with fluid. This can be localized or spread out. The alveoli get inflamed when they fill with fluid and cause an itching sensation in the lungs. That itching causes most people to cough, that is the body's natural way to get rid of buildup in the lungs. Cough suppressants will stop this natural reaction and usually make that individuals pneumonia last longer. On the other hand, too much coughing will results in scarring on the lungs that will make the individual more likely to get chronic pneumonia even if they only had acute pneumonia to begin with. The alveolar wall is formed with simple squamous epithelial cells known as alveolar cells. Capillaries surround these sacks and allow the exchange of gases. When an individual has pneumonia the alveoli fill with too much fluid to allow the exchange of

A 5 year old Hispanic male patient was admitted to hospital for respiratory distress. He is verbally nonresponsive and does not have family at bedside. He is currently on CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and when removed, he begins gasping for air.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), also known as hyaline membrane disease (HMD), is a disease that predominantly affects premature neonates. It is due to a deficiency in surfactant which is vital in increasing lung compliance, preventing atelectasis at the end of expiration, and promoting the recruitment of collapsed alveoli by reducing surface tension.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ARDS happens when the alveoli in the lungs builds up fluid. Consequently, the buildup of fluid in the alveolar sacs starts to deprive your body of oxygen. The less oxygen that is circulating through your body will result in your vital organs not getting an adequate amount of oxygen to function properly. Normally, individuals who develop ARDS already have some type of critical illness. The normal causes of ARDS differ subsequently, separating them into two separate categories: direct or indirect injuries to the lung. Some of the direct injuries include pneumonia, aspiration, and smoke inhalation from a house fire. Some of the indirect injuries would include sepsis, inflammation of the pancreas, and blood transfusions.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common lung disorder that mostly affects preterm infants. RDS is caused by insufficient surfactant production and structural immaturity of the lungs leading to alveolar collapse. Clinically, RDS presents soon after birth with tachypnea, nasal flaring, grunting, retractions, hypercapnia, and/or an oxygen need. The usual course is clinical worsening followed by recovery in 3 to 5 days as adequate surfactant production occurs. Research in the prevention and treatment of this disease has led to major improvements in the care of preterm infants with RDS and increased survival. However, RDS remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality especially in the most preterm infants. This chapter reviews the most current evidence-based management of RDS, including prevention, delivery room stabilization, respiratory management, and supportive care.