Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), also known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or adult respiratory distress syndrome (in contrast with IRDS) is a serious reaction to various forms of injuries to the lung.
ARDS is a severe lung disease caused by a variety of direct and indirect issues. It is characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma leading to impaired gas exchange with concomitant systemic release of inflammatory mediators causing inflammation, hypoxemia and frequently resulting in multiple organ failure. This condition is often fatal, usually requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to an intensive care unit. A less severe form is called acute lung injury (ALI).
ARDS formerly most commonly signified adult respiratory distress syndrome to differentiate it from infant respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants. However, as this type of pulmonary edema also occurs in children, ARDS has gradually shifted to mean acute rather thanadult. The differences with the typical infant syndrome remain.
Diane is past the critical part of ARDS, but the effect and rehab can last up to 1 year. She still has fluid build up that is suctioned out. She is starting to do some coughing on her own which is critical to getting better. Nutrition is still through a hose and will be for some time. Tomorrow is a big day for multiple diagnosis and recommendations of what happens next.
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