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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): It is a life-threatening illness that can happen when your lungs are not working properly. This clinic guide summarises recognised symptoms, assessment and care considerations.
Symptoms
Breathing difficulty
Warning signs
Seek urgent in-person care for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, sudden weakness, uncontrolled bleeding or rapid deterioration.
For immediate danger, call Rescue 1122 or seek emergency care.
Possible causes
The cause of Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) depends on the individual pattern and may involve health, inherited, environmental, medicine-related or lifestyle factors.
Risk factors
Risk factors for Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) vary. A clinician may review age, family history, existing conditions, medicines and relevant exposures.
Diagnosis
A clinician assesses Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by reviewing the symptom pattern, timing, health history and examination findings. Similar conditions may need to be excluded before a diagnosis is confirmed.
Common tests / investigations
Tests for Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are selected after clinical assessment and may include targeted laboratory tests, imaging, monitoring or specialist review when appropriate.
General treatment overview
Treatment for Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) depends on the confirmed diagnosis, severity and the patient’s wider health. A physician may recommend monitoring, medicine, therapy, a procedure or specialist care.
Lifestyle guidance
Keep a symptom record, bring current medicines and reports to the consultation, and follow condition-specific activity, nutrition and self-care advice from the clinical team.
Prevention
Not every case of Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be prevented. Early assessment and control of modifiable risk factors may reduce complications where relevant.
Related conditions
Related conditions are considered from the symptom pattern, medical history and clinical examination.
Medical references
Original general information informed by recognised medical sources. It does not replace individual physician assessment.