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ARDS - Medical Negligence Compensation Claims

Also Known as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

ARDS or acute respiratory distress syndrome is the sudden loss of function of the respiratory system so that excess fluid builds up in the alveoli or air sacs of the lungs. Breathing is laborious and the lack of oxygen deprives the bodily organs of necessary air. It is a complication of critical illness or of those who have sustained a major trauma. ARDS is a serious disease that has a 25 to 40 percent fatality rate. Those who do recover do not always recover fully or recover after at least an additional year of medical problems.

The signs and symptoms of ARDS vary according to how serious the disease is. The most common symptoms are rapid and labored breathing, severe shortness of breath, confusion, fatigue, low blood pressure and sometimes a cough or fever. Most people who develop ARDS are already in the hospital because of a severe illness or injury but a few will develop it out of the hospital. You should see a doctor if you develop shortness of breath following an illness or injury. You need to urgently seek medical advice because the disease can progress quite quickly and can be dangerous.

ARDS happens when fluid leaks into the alveoli or small air sacs from the tiny blood vessels that surround the air sacs. There is normally a protective membrane that keeps the blood vessel fluid sealed away from the alveoli but, after a serious illness or injury, there can be a leakage of fluid and damage to the air sacs, leading to ARDS. ARDS can follow these injuries or illnesses: bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, heart failure, multiple blood transfusions, sepsis (blood infections), long bone fractures that leak fat into the bloodstream, chest injury, head injury, being on a ventilator at high oxygen levels, inhalation of chemicals or vomit, near drowning injuries, smoke inhalation, drug overdose (particularly with heroin), reaction to cancer drugs, pancreatitis or shock.

Part of the treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is identifying the cause of the problem because the treatment of ARDS depends in part on the cause of the illness. Treating the underlying illness is important to the cure from the disease.

There are several complications of ARDS, some of which are long lasting. These include pulmonary fibrosis or scarring of the lungs that makes breathing difficult, collapsed lung or pneumothorax, and bacterial infections of the lungs (pneumonia) or the blood (sepsis). Lung function can be abnormal for a long time after recovery from the ARDS and you can have muscle wasting or weakness of the muscles because of nutritional deficiency. The nutritional deficiency occurs after being on a ventilator for several days and not getting the nutrients your body needs. Some people have cognitive or memory problems as a result of problem with oxygenation of the brain. Emotional problems can arise after having ARDS.

Doctors can do several tests in order to diagnose ARDS. One of these tests is an X-ray, which shows whiteness of the lungs from fluid collection. Arterial blood gases can be done to show the lack of oxygen in the blood. A CT scan of the lung shows the extent of the fluid in the lung and tests of the heart are done to make sure the heart is healthy and isn't causing part of the problem.

As mentioned, treating Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome depends on treating the underlying condition, whether it be a traumatic injury or a severe illness. Oxygen is used to get more oxygenation to the alveoli. This might mean using mechanical ventilation with a respirator to enhance the breathing process. The pressure in a ventilator can be increased in order to pop open the alveoli and to maximize oxygenation of the alveoli. It can take days or even months on the ventilator before you are able to breathe on your own.

Doctors give just enough fluids to keep your blood pressure normal but not too much because the excess fluids can go straight to the lungs. Medications are used to manage the blood pressure, treat infection keep you comfortable, especially if you are on a ventilator. Corticosteroid use was a past treatment for ARDS but it has since been found to be ineffective.