About ARDS / Acute Lung Injury
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a type of severe lung dysfunction that causes a drop in the oxygen levels in the blood. When the lungs are damaged in any way, blood and fluids accumulate inside the tiny air sacs called alveoli, and the surfactant that keeps the alveoli inflated breaks down, causing the alveoli to collapse. This means that oxygen from the air you inhale cannot be absorbed into your blood, resulting in hypoxia. After the acute phase, the lungs become fibrotic and stiff, and less compliant. ARDS can develop in a few days or can worsen very quickly. The first symptom of ARDS is usually shortness of breath, and other signs and symptoms include hypoxemia, rapid, shallow breathing, and clicking, bubbling, or wheezing sounds in the lungs when breathing. Infections are the most common risk factor for ARDS. These infections include influenza, coronavirus or other viral infections, and sepsis. The mortality rate after onset is said to be about 40% in ARDS patients. Acute lung injury (ALI) refers to the state before and after the onset of ARDS.