Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or ARDS is a serious condition affecting the lungs. In this condition, the air sacs in your lungs get filled with fluid that causes a dangerous drop in oxygen levels. It is important to contact a well-known pulmonologist in Siliguri to treat this life-threatening condition.
ARDS not only affects your lungs but it can also become serious for other organs since this disorder stops normal oxygen flow towards the stomach, brain, kidneys, and heart. You must know that if you’re admitted to a hospital for any injury or trauma then you have a higher risk of developing ARDS.
Below is a detailed description of common symptoms, causes, complications, diagnosis, and treatment for ARDS.
- Symptoms
The symptoms of ARDS can vary from person to person. The intensity of these symptoms may also depend upon the severity, underlying conditions, and cause. Herein, some of the common symptoms associated with the disorder can be confusion, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and rapid breathing.
In some cases, bluish colour in the lips and fingernails can also be seen due to low levels of oxygen in the blood. You must contact the doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Causes
ARDS can be caused due to various underlying health complications and one such common issue is sepsis. If you have experienced a severe infection in the lungs then you have a higher risk of developing this condition. In some cases, blood transfusion and overdose of drugs such as opioids and cocaine can also lead to ARDS.
Additionally, severe damage in the lungs due to aspiration of contents from the stomach can increase the likelihood of this respiratory disorder. Some of the other contributing factors include major trauma, history of COVID-19, pancreatitis, chest injury, and inhaling harmful chemicals.
- Complications
If ARDS is not treated at the right time by a reputed chest specialist in Siliguri then it can lead to some serious health complications. One of the most common problems is blood clots. ARDS may cause you to stay long in a hospital facility which is considered the main reason behind blood clotting in the veins of the legs.
This condition may also contribute to pulmonary embolism that can cause blockage in the lungs. Herein, other complications of ARDS can be lung infection and pneumothorax or collapsed lungs. When ARDS progresses to an advanced stage, it thickens and scars the tissues around air sacs which further leads to pulmonary fibrosis.
- Diagnosis
No particular diagnostic test can determine ARDS. However, the doctor may run the diagnosis by checking the oxygen levels and results of the physical exam. To evaluate the internal structures of your heart and lungs, the doctor may also recommend certain imaging tests such as a CT scan and chest x-ray.
In some cases, the symptoms of ARDS can be produced due to any underlying heart issues and to rule out these conditions various heart tests are conducted. Some such effective tests are echocardiogram and electrocardiogram.
- Treatment
To prevent organ failure associated with ARDS, the doctor will first focus on increasing the oxygen levels. This is done by oxygen therapy or through a mechanical ventilator. It is one of the most effective treatment approaches as it can also open the airways that have been severely damaged.
Other treatment approaches that the doctor may adopt to decrease the likelihood of serious complications are blood thinners, sedatives, antibiotics, physical therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
You need to contact an experienced pulmonologist in Siliguri to prevent ARDS from progressing into a severe stage. Apart from medications, the doctors also advise you to quit smoking and excessive alcohol consumption to prevent the chances of developing the symptoms of respiratory distress.
