ARDS (cont.)
Recovering from ARDS
Some people who survive acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) heal
quickly and recover completely in a relatively short time. Some are able to have
the breathing tube and breathing machine removed in a week or so. Survivors
often recover much of their lung function in the first 3-6 months after leaving
the hospital, and they continue to recover for up to a year or more.
Others recover more slowly, however. Some ARDS survivors never recover
completely, and they have continuing problems with their lungs. Every case is
different. People who are younger and healthier when they develop ARDS are more
likely to recover quickly than those who are older or who have more health
problems.
ARDS patients who survive the first week but cannot breathe on their own may
have to be on a breathing machine for several weeks or longer. These patients
often develop complications, such as infections or air leaks (see the next
section on Complications of ARDS). While some of these patients will die, others
will get better and be able to breathe on their own again. Their recovery is
usually slow, and they may have continuing problems.
After leaving the hospital, ARDS survivors need to visit a doctor during
recovery to check how well their lungs are doing. Doctors use lung function
tests to check the lungs. Spirometry (speh-ROM-uh-tree) is the most commonly
used lung function test. It involves taking a deep breath and blowing hard into
a plastic tube. The doctor will also do an oxygen saturation (oximetry (ok-SIM-eh-tree))
test or a blood test to check the amount of oxygen in the blood.
After going home from the hospital, the ARDS survivor may need only a little
or a lot of help. While recovering from ARDS at home, a person may:
- Need to use oxygen at home or when going out of the
home, at least for a while
- Need to have physical, occupational, or other therapy
- Have shortness of breath, cough, or phlegm (mucus)
- Have hoarseness from the
breathing tube in the hospital
- Feel tired and not have much energy
Next: What are the complications of ARDS? »
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