adult respiratory distress syndrome
A patient with adult respiratory distress syndrome receives oxygen in the hospital.
Noun: A serious medical condition involving sudden, severe lung injury. It is characterized by inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs' air sacs (alveoli), making them stiff and preventing adequate oxygen from reaching the bloodstream. It typically occurs in previously healthy individuals following a major illness or injury.
This term is used in formal medical contexts to diagnose and describe a specific, life-threatening pulmonary condition. - The patient developed adult respiratory distress syndrome following severe sepsis. - Adult respiratory distress syndrome is a potential complication of major trauma.
- Mechanical ventilation is often required to support patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome.
- The doctors are treating him for adult respiratory distress syndrome caused by inhaling toxic fumes.
- The acronym ARDS is commonly used in clinical settings as a shorthand for this syndrome.
- The ICU has several patients being treated for ARDS.
- ARDS: The standard acronym for Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: The modern, more precise clinical term, which has largely replaced "adult" with "acute," as it can also affect children.
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (the contemporary preferred term)
- Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (a descriptive medical term focusing on the cause of fluid buildup)
- Shock lung (an older, informal term suggesting a common cause)
While traditionally called "adult" respiratory distress syndrome, the condition is now more accurately termed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The shift to "acute" reflects the understanding that this syndrome can affect patients of any age following a severe insult to the body, not just adults. The core meaning—a rapid-onset, inflammatory lung failure—remains the same.
A patient with adult respiratory distress syndrome receives oxygen in the hospital.
- acute lung injury characterized by coughing and rales; inflammation of the lungs which become stiff and fibrous and cannot exchange oxygen; occurs among persons exposed to irritants such as corrosive chemical vapors or ammonia or chlorine etc.