ARDS (cont.)
Complications of ARDS
Anyone who stays in the hospital for a long time can get
complications. Common complications in ARDS patients are infections with
hospital-acquired bacteria and leaks of air out of the lungs into other body spaces.
- Bacterial infections. The
lungs or other parts of the body may become infected. These infections are
usually treated with antibiotics after a test to see what kind of bacteria is
causing the infection.
- Air leaks. Leaks of air
through holes in the lungs are caused by pressure from the breathing machine
that is needed to be sure the patient gets enough air, and from the very stiff
lungs. Air from the injured lungs may enter the space between the lungs and
the lining around the lungs (the pleura) and cause a pneumothorax
(noo-mo-THOR-aks) (collapsed lung). Treatment involves using a chest tube and
suction to remove the air and help the lungs reinflate. Air may also enter the
space between the membranes that line the abdomen (pneumoperitoneum) or the
soft tissue under the skin (subcutaneous emphysema). These are not usually treated.
Each complication is treated as it arises. Careful hand washing by hospital
staff and visitors helps reduce infections, and new breathing machine methods
help reduce air leaks.
For Family and Friends
While your family member or friend is in the hospital
being treated for ARDS, you may feel a lot of stress. One day the patient may seem to be recovering, and
the next day things may take a turn for the worse. It can be a scary experience
to see someone you care about on a breathing machine.
Several doctors work together to give care to your family
member or friend. These doctors are often specialists who are treating different
concerns of the patient. For example, an infectious disease specialist might be
involved to help make sure that the initial infection or an infectious
complication is properly treated. A lung specialist may be adjusting the
settings on the breathing machine, and a kidney specialist may be required if kidney failure occurs. These
doctors talk to each other regularly to make sure that care is given in a
coordinated manner.
There are some things you can do to help, even though you may feel very
helpless:
- Talk to the doctors, nurses, and other health care
providers. Ask questions about the patient's condition and care, and ask how
you can support your loved one.
- Talk to the patient, even if he or she is in a
drug-induced sleep. Talk about fun things you did together and laugh with them
about silly things that you did. Many survivors say they were, at some level,
aware of the people and things around them. They also recall dreams they had
while in the drug-induced sleep. The dreams can be calming or frightening.
Talking to the patient about happy and fun things may help make the dreams
more positive.
- Ask the hospital staff if you can put family photos
near the patient, play music at low volume, or rub lotion into the patient's
feet and hands. Many survivors are aware of people and things around them.
This may help to trigger their senses of hearing, touch, and seeing.
- Leave fears and worries at the door. Always go outside
the patient's room to talk with the doctor or nurse about the patient's
condition. Make sure everyone is encouraging and hopeful while with the
patient. The patient may sense stress in their presence.
- Keep a journal or record of events for the patient to
read after leaving the hospital. ARDS survivors want to know every detail of
what happened while they were asleep.
- Remember to take care of yourself, too. Try to get
enough rest and
sleep, eat well, and get some exercise. Call on other family members and
friends to sit with the patient so you can have a break. Your very sick
loved one will need your strength and support over what may be a long
recovery period.
The family members and friends of people who have had ARDS often are deeply
affected by the experience. The "roller-coaster ride" of emotions while the ARDS
patient is in the hospital is exhausting and stressful. Caring for the ARDS
survivor at home can also be stressful and tiring. Ask for help from others or
your health care providers if you need it. Most hospitals have individuals such
as social workers who can help family members cope with these issues.
Next: Key Points About ARDS »
- Endotracheal Intubation - Read about endotracheal intubation, a procedure performed when a patient cannot breathe on their own, whether it is due to surgery, disease, or an emergency.
- Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae).
- Drug Abuse - Get information about drug abuse and addiction causes, symptoms, effects of certain drugs (cocaine, marijuana, heroin), treatment and prevention information.
Latest Medical News
Lungs RSS