ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a lung injury that happens when fluids build up in small air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. ARDS prevents your lungs from filling up with air and causes dangerously low oxygen levels in your blood (hypoxia). Healthcare providers typically diagnose a person as having mild, moderate or severe respiratory distress syndrome. They determine that level by comparing the level of oxygen in your blood with the amount of oxygen that needs to be given to achieve a healthy blood oxygen level.

ARDS prevents other organs such as your brain, heart, kidneys and stomach from getting the oxygen they need to function. ARDS is dangerous and can lead to several serious and life-threatening problems.

ARDS typically happens when a person is in the hospital receiving treatment for an infection, illness or trauma. If you’re not hospitalized and experience symptoms of ARDS, get medical attention immediately.