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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
ARDS
Answered by
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ARDS
by RASKI, Dec 14, 2003 12:00AM
My mother who is 68 has been on a ventillator for 10 weeks now after abdominal surgery.The doctor has been unsucessful in wheaning her off the ventillator.The ventillator has been set to "assist" most of this time.We were told she has developed "ARDS".What is this and can someone recover from this?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 17, 2003 12:00AM
, Dec 17, 2003 12:00AM
Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a condition where the lung fills with fluid and is not able to maintain the most helpful levels of oxygen, the gas needed by all cells in the body, and carbon dioxide, the waste gas. This condition is caused by injury to the lung.
There is no specific treatment for ARDS. The focus is to support the person by watching for other health problems and treating them as soon as possible. It is possible to recover from ARDS. This depends greatly on the strength of the person’s body to fight back and recover. With recovery, the lungs may return to normal. However the lungs may be permanently damaged, especially with severe or prolonged ARDS.
There is no specific treatment for ARDS. The focus is to support the person by watching for other health problems and treating them as soon as possible. It is possible to recover from ARDS. This depends greatly on the strength of the person’s body to fight back and recover. With recovery, the lungs may return to normal. However the lungs may be permanently damaged, especially with severe or prolonged ARDS.
Excerpts:
"Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is sudden, life-threatening lung failure. ARDS inflames the alveoli, causing them to fill with liquid and collapse.
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ARDS usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours of the injury or illness. The duration and intensity of the crisis can vary considerably from patient to patient. The mortality rate of ARDS is estimated to be between 35% and 50%. Most patients die from the underlying disease or from complications of mechanical ventilation. In patients who survive, normal lung function usually resumes within 6 to 12 months. "
It is amazing how one can beat the odds.