TammyLynne.org Discussion Forum

WHAT IS ARDS? Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is an acute, severe injury to most or all of both lungs. Patients with ARDS experience severe shortness of breath and often require mechanical ventilation (life support) because of respiratory failure. ARDS is not a specific disease; instead, it is a type of severe, acute lung dysfunction that is associated with a variety of diseases, such as pneumonia, shock, sepsis (a severe infection in the body) and trauma. ARDS can be confused with congestive heart failure, which is another common condition that can also cause acute respiratory distress. The term Acute Lung Injury "ALI" is sometimes used in the same setting as ARDS, but also includes less severe instances of generalized, acute lung injury. For more information go to the ARDS Support Center