1. Understanding COPD Slideshow
2. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Quiz
3. Energy Foods for COPD Slideshow Pictures

In this Article

• ARDS facts*
• What is ARDS?
• ARDS overview
• What are other names for ARDS?
• What causes ARDS?
• Who is at risk for ARDS?
• What are the signs and symptoms of ARDS?
• How is ARDS diagnosed?
• How is ARDS treated?
• What is the prognoisis of ARDS?
• ARDS Index

• Acute lung injury
• Adult respiratory distress syndrome
• Increased-permeability pulmonary edema
• Noncardiac pulmonary edema

Many conditions or factors can directly or indirectly injure the lungs and lead to ARDS. Some common ones are:

• Sepsis. This is a condition in which bacteria infect the bloodstream.
• Pneumonia. This is an infection in the lungs.
• Severe bleeding caused by an injury to the body.
• An injury to the chest or head, like a severe blow.
• Breathing in harmful fumes or smoke.
• Inhaling vomited stomach contents from the mouth.

It's not clear why some very sick or seriously injured people develop ARDS and others don't. Researchers are trying to find out why ARDS develops and how to prevent it.

People at risk for ARDS have a condition or illness that can directly or indirectly injure their lungs.

Direct Lung Injury

Conditions that can directly injure the lungs include:

• Pneumonia. This is an infection in the lungs.
• Breathing in harmful fumes or smoke.
• Inhaling vomited stomach contents from the mouth.
• Using a ventilator. This is a machine that helps people breathe; rarely, it can injure the lungs.
• Nearly drowning.

Indirect Lung Injury

Conditions that can indirectly injure the lungs include:

• Sepsis. This is a condition in which bacteria infect the bloodstream.
• Severe bleeding caused by an injury to the body or having many blood transfusions.
• An injury to the chest or head, such as a severe blow.
• Pancreatitis (PAN-kre-a-TI-tis). This is a condition in which the pancreas becomes irritated or infected. The pancreas is a gland that releases enzymes and hormones.
• Fat embolism (EM-bo-lizm). This is a condition in which fat blocks an artery. A physical injury, like a broken bone, can lead to a fat embolism.
• Drug reaction.