“Bronchiolitis vs. Bronchitis: How to Differentiate and Treat Symptoms - Verywell Health” plus 2 more

“Bronchiolitis vs. Bronchitis: How to Differentiate and Treat Symptoms - Verywell Health” plus 2 more


Bronchiolitis vs. Bronchitis: How to Differentiate and Treat Symptoms - Verywell Health

Posted: 14 May 2021 09:06 AM PDT

Bronchiolitis and bronchitis are both infections that affect the lungs and can have overlapping symptoms such as a cough, wheezing, and low-grade fever. However, there are some very important differences in symptoms, causes, treatment, and ultimately, how they may affect future lung function.

Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles) and most often affects infants less than 2 years of age. Bronchitis causes inflammation of the bronchi (and bronchioles to a degree) and can affect people of any age.

FatCamera / Getty Images

Causes and Symptoms

Symptoms common to both bronchiolitis and bronchitis include:

  • A cough that can be dry, or productive of clear, yellow, or green phlegm
  • Wheezing
  • A low-grade fever
  • A runny or stuffy nose

With both conditions, the cough and wheezing may last for several weeks. Both are often caused by viral infections, but the particular viruses responsible frequently differ.

Bronchiolitis

The symptoms of bronchiolitis can differ from bronchitis both in how the infection affects the respiratory system and based on the age groups in which the infections are found.

Since bronchiolitis often occurs in young children who can't express how they are feeling, objective signs that parents can visualize are often key in diagnosis.

Symptoms specific to bronchiolitis include:

  • Often begins with upper respiratory symptoms (nasal congestion, etc.)
  • Progresses to the lower respiratory tract after several days
  • In addition to a cough, respiratory rate may be increased (see below).
  • Wheezing (especially with expiration)
  • Children may show signs of breathing difficulty through nasal flaring, grunting, and the use of accessory muscles to breathe (muscles in the neck contract with inhalation).
  • Very young children may have episodes where they stop breathing for moments (apnea).
  • A fever is usually only present early on in the infection and is usually less than 100 degrees F.

A hallmark of bronchiolitis that is not seen with bronchitis is the minute-to-minute variation in symptoms. One moment a child may be sleeping comfortably, the next they may be agitated and appear quite ill, and then they may appear comfortable again after coughing and clearing mucus from their airways.

How Long Do Bronchiolitis Symptoms Last?

Altogether, symptoms last around two weeks, although coughing and wheezing sometimes last longer.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Decreased nursing or eating
  • A decrease in the number of wet diapers
  • Decreased level of playfulness/alertness

An elevated respiratory rate is an important sign and has been coined the neglected vital sign. Respiratory rates run higher in children than adults, with normal respiratory rates in children being:

  • Newborn: 30–60 breaths per minute
  • Infant (1 to 12 months): 30–60 breaths per minute
  • Toddler (1–2 years): 24–40 breaths per minute
  • Preschooler (3–5 years): 22–34 breaths per minute
  • School-age child (6–12 years): 18–30 breaths per minute
  • Adolescent (13–17 years): 12–16 breaths per minute

The most common cause of bronchiolitis is the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which has been found to account for roughly 80% of cases. Less commonly, bronchiolitis may also be caused by cold viruses (such as rhinovirus, adenovirus, or coronaviruses), metapneumovirus, human bocavirus, influenza A or B, and parainfluenza.

Bronchitis

It's important to briefly make a distinction between acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis:

  • Acute bronchitis is the type of bronchitis many people are familiar with that occurs following an upper respiratory infection.
  • Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is marked by a persistent cough (lasting more than three months) which is often productive of large amounts of phlegm.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis that are less likely to be seen with bronchiolitis include:

Most cases of bronchitis are due to a viral infection, with the most common being:

Bacteria are the cause of only 1% to 10% of cases. Less commonly, atypical bacteria such as mycoplasma, chlamydia, and Bordatella pertussis (the cause of whooping cough) are involved. Non-infectious bronchitis may also occur due to exposure to irritants such as smoke or dust.

Bronchiolitis
  • Children, usually less than 2 years old

  • Symptoms can vary from minute to minute

  • Difficulty breathing may appear as chest retractions, nasal flaring, grunting, use of accessory muscles

  • Decreased nursing/eating, decreased playfulness

Bronchitis
  • Any age (uncommon less than age 2)

  • Symptoms either gradually improve or worsen

  • A person may state they feel short of breath

  • Fatigue

At-Risk Groups

Some people are more likely to develop bronchiolitis or bronchitis than others. In general, young children, especially those less than 2 years of age, are more likely to develop bronchiolitis, whereas bronchitis may occur in any age group (although it is uncommon before the age of 2).

Risk Factors for Bronchiolitis

A number of circumstances and conditions increase the chance that a child will develop bronchiolitis, and for those who develop the disease, separate factors increase the risk that it will be serious.

The risk of developing the disease primarily relates to the chance of being exposed to the causative viruses, whereas the chance that a child will become seriously ill is linked more with underlying medical conditions.

Risk factors for developing bronchiolitis include:

  • Age less than 2, with the peak age being from 3 to 6 months
  • The risk of bronchiolitis is highest from late October to early April in the northern hemisphere, with the peak incidence occurring in January (the prevalence can vary year to year). Children who are born such that they reach the peak age (3 to 6 months) in early to mid-winter have the greatest risk.
  • Secondhand smoke exposure
  • Premature delivery
  • Increased exposure to viruses (daycare setting, more siblings, multigenerational families)
  • Having a mother with asthma
  • Congenital heart or lung disease

Factors that increase the chance that bronchiolitis will be serious include:

  • Age less than 12 weeks
  • Boys appear to be at a somewhat greater risk for severe disease than girls
  • Secondhand smoke exposure
  • History of prematurity (especially babies born prior to 32 weeks gestation)
  • Underlying heart disease, lung disease, or neuromuscular disorders
  • Immunodeficiency disorders and other forms of immunosuppression

Risk Factors for Bronchitis

Like bronchiolitis, there are factors that increase the chance a person will develop the condition, as well as factors that may make developing the disease more serious.

Risk factors for developing bronchitis include:

Among those who develop bronchitis, some people are more likely to become seriously ill—for example, developing secondary complications such as pneumonia. This includes:

  • Pregnant people
  • Those who have underlying lung diseases
  • Those who are immunosuppressed (whether due to medications, cancer, or other causes)

Treatment

There are no formal treatments available for either uncomplicated bronchiolitis or bronchitis (except in uncommon cases when bronchitis is bacterial). The infection generally needs to "run its course."

If the infection is due to influenza A and diagnosed shortly after the onset of symptoms, some physicians may recommend Tamiflu (oseltamivir). That said, measures can be taken to manage the symptoms and in some cases may reduce the chance that the infection will become more serious.

Both bronchiolitis and bronchitis last, on average, around two weeks. However, a cough or wheezing may persist for some people, even beyond three weeks.

Some treatments that may be recommended for bronchitis are not recommended for bronchiolitis—for example, bronchodilators—so we will discuss these separately.

Bronchiolitis

For a fever or appearance of discomfort, Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be used for most children. Aspirin should not be used in children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Saline nose drops (and a suction bulb if necessary) may help relieve some congestion.

Roughly 3% of children who develop bronchiolitis end up being hospitalized, and bronchiolitis remains the most common reason for hospital admission in the first 12 months of life.

Inpatient treatment may include:

  • Intravenous fluids (if the child is dehydrated)
  • Oxygen (if oxygen saturation drops below 90%)

Nebulized hypertonic saline may help with airway swelling in infants.

According to clinical practice guidelines, medications such as albuterol (and similar medications), epinephrine, and corticosteroids should not be used. Antibiotics are recommended only if there is clear evidence of a secondary bacterial infection present. When very severe, mechanical ventilation may be needed.

As far as prevention of RSV, the monoclonal antibody Synagis (palivizumab) is approved to prevent serious RSV disease in some very specific high-risk children. Studies, however, have been mixed, and the benefit of the medication remains uncertain.

Bronchitis

For fever or discomfort, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is usually recommended. Resting, including taking a nap during the day if needed, can't be understated. If you have a difficult time giving yourself permission to rest, imagine your body needing the energy to fight off the virus and heal your airways.

Should You Take Cough Medicine?

Some people find cough medications or an expectorant helpful, but a 2021 study confirmed earlier findings and found that a spoonful of honey was actually more helpful than common cold and cough medications. Honey is not recommended for children less than 1 year old.

Other treatments will depend on how symptoms progress. For example, if a secondary bacterial infection should develop, antibiotics may be necessary. Some people develop reactive airway disease with bronchitis, and treatments such as an albuterol inhaler to open the airways or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation may be needed.

Complications

Both bronchiolitis and bronchitis may lead to complications, though the particular complications and when they might occur vary between the conditions.

Bronchiolitis

With bronchiolitis, low oxygen levels (hypoxia) requiring oxygen supplementation may occur and require hospitalization. Dehydration may also occur and can be treated with IV fluids.

With severe disease, respiratory failure may sometimes occur, requiring mechanical ventilation and sedation. Bacterial co-infections, such as ear infections (otitis media) and urinary tract infections, have also been seen.

A number of studies have evaluated the possible association of bronchiolitis early in life with wheezing and childhood asthma later on, with mixed results. When asthma is seen later in childhood, it's also not known whether having bronchiolitis may damage the lungs in a way that would predispose to asthma, or if instead a child's particular immune response or lung function might predispose them to develop both bronchiolitis and recurrent wheezing.

Wheezing Later in Childhood

A 2021 review looking at 22 studies found that lower respiratory tract infections (such as bronchiolitis) in children less than 3 years of age were associated with an increased risk of the subsequent development of wheezing later in childhood. The risk was roughly three times higher than for those who did not have these infections.

Bronchitis

One of the most common complications of bronchitis is a secondary pneumonia which is most commonly bacterial.

Potentially worrisome symptoms are listed below and frequently present in younger people who go on to develop pneumonia. In people over the age of 75, however, symptoms of pneumonia may be more subtle, and it's important to contact your doctor with any concerns or if symptoms persist.

When to Call the Doctor

Both bronchiolitis and bronchitis most often resolve on their own, but it's important to be aware of symptoms that could suggest complications and when to call your doctor.

Bronchiolitis

Signs of concern with bronchiolitis may include:

  • Signs of breathing difficulty such as nasal flaring, clenching of neck muscles while breathing, retraction of chest muscles with breathing, or grunting
  • An elevated respiratory rate
  • Difficulty or loss of desire to nurse/eat
  • Decreased urination (fewer wet diapers)
  • Cyanosis (a bluish tinge to lips or fingers)
  • A temperature greater than 100 degrees F
  • Decreased level of alertness
  • Symptoms such as a cough that persists beyond two to three weeks

Bronchitis

Signs to call your doctor with bronchitis include:

  • Symptoms that persist beyond two to three weeks
  • Significant wheezing, or wheezing that occurs with both exhalation and inhalation
  • A temperature greater than 100 degrees F
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain (other than the achiness associated with coughing)
  • Mucus that is blood tinged or rust colored
  • Mucus that is foul smelling
  • A pulse rate greater than 100
  • A respiratory rate higher than 24 breaths per minute (at rest)
  • In the elderly, confusion or excessive tiredness

A Word From Verywell

Both bronchitis and bronchiolitis are lower respiratory infections that usually run their course without problems. That said, it's important to be aware of potential complications as well as when you should call your doctor.

Since bronchiolitis often occurs in young infants, it can be very frightening for parents. Make sure to call your doctor with any concerns, even if you suspect everything is OK. And trust your gut. Your instinct as a parent is often the best "diagnostic test" available.

Why Is It Called Coronavirus? How Viruses Are Named - Healthline

Posted: 13 May 2021 12:00 AM PDT

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is part of a group of viruses known as coronaviruses. Hundreds of coronaviruses exist in animals, but only seven of these coronaviruses are known to cause illnesses in humans.

In fact, the illnesses that these coronaviruses cause play a huge role in how each of these viruses is named.

From a visual standpoint, coronaviruses have crown-like protrusions on their surface, and the Latin word for crown is "coronam."

In this article, we will explore what coronaviruses are, how these viruses and their diseases are named, and other important facts you should know about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.

Coronaviruses are a type of virus that cause upper respiratory tract illnesses in human beings. Most coronaviruses are transmitted to humans from animals, such as bats, pigs, or camels. While hundreds of different types of coronaviruses exist, only seven coronaviruses are known to cause diseases in humans.

In 2019, a new coronavirus was discovered to cause severe respiratory symptoms in humans. Due to its similarities with the previous coronavirus that was responsible for causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, this new coronavirus became known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

SARS-CoV-2 is the coronavirus responsible for causing 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On March 11, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Since that time, COVID-19 has affected over 160 million people worldwide.

Viruses are officially named by an organization called the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Every newly discovered virus receives an appropriate name according to a hierarchical taxonomy, which groups all organisms into various species, genera, family, and more.

Initially, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 remained unnamed. However, the ICTV and WHO worked in tandem to give both the virus and the disease the official names we know today:

  • The ICTV named the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 based on the fact that it is considered a "severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus."
  • The WHO named the new disease COVID-19, in which "CO" stands for corona, "VI" stands for virus, "D" stands for disease, and "-19" stands for 2019.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of these two organizations, along with the many scientists and professionals around the world, to identify, classify, and name all new viruses and diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are seven different coronaviruses that have been known to cause illness in humans. Although these coronaviruses are similar, they are separated into either the alpha coronavirus or beta coronavirus subgroups.

Common human alpha coronaviruses include:

Common human beta coronaviruses include:

Generally, the 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1 coronaviruses cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses, with symptoms that resemble the common cold, such as sore throat, cough, and fever.

However, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 can all lead to more severe respiratory illnesses, many of which have a higher mortality rate. In fact, according to the WHO, MERS has a mortality rate of roughly 35 percent — this is almost 10 times higher than the average mortality rate of COVID-19.

Although there have been some comparisons made between COVID-19 and the flu, they are two entirely separate illnesses.

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral respiratory illness caused by two influenza viruses: influenza A and influenza B. Influenza can cause mild to severe symptoms, which may include:

Most healthy people recover from the flu within 1 to 2 weeks without complications. However, young children, older adults, and those who are pregnant or have underlying health conditions may be more at risk of serious complications.

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 symptoms are similar to the flu and may include:

COVID-19 can cause additional symptoms beyond those of the flu, such as shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell. It also appears to be more contagious than the flu and has been found to spread more quickly and easily.

In addition, COVID-19 is associated with a higher risk of complications and hospitalization, as well as an increased risk of mortality.

COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that spreads easily between people, so it's important to practice good personal hygiene to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Here are some of the ways that you can prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wear a mask. Wearing a mask is one of the most simple and effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks should fit snugly over the nose and mouth, and be made of tightly woven, breathable fabric with multiple layers.
  • Wash your hands. Washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds can kill the virus. If you can't wash your hands, use hand sanitizer until you're able to get to a handwashing station.
  • Cover your coughs. Covering your coughs and sneezes is important to help prevent the spread of the virus through air particles. If a tissue is not available, you can use your arm or elbow instead.
  • Clean and disinfect. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces can kill SARS-CoV-2. Commonly used surfaces, such as doorknobs, countertops, and furniture, should be cleaned as often as possible.
  • Reduce close contact. Reducing close contact with others can help prevent the spread of the virus through skin-to-skin contact. If you do need to be in close contact with others, wearing a mask can help lower transmission rates.
  • Distancing. Physical distancing is one of the easiest ways we can slow the spread of COVID-19. Maintaining 6 feet of distance between others is the current recommendation.
  • Get vaccinated. There are currently three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Getting vaccinated can protect you, and help slow the spread of the virus.

If you have a COVID-19 diagnosis or have come in close contact with someone who has the virus, the CDC recommends quarantining for a period of 14 days to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.

"Coronavirus" is a catch-all term that is sometimes used to refer to either the newly discovered coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, or the disease it causes, COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 is one of seven coronaviruses that can cause respiratory illnesses in human beings. Although COVID-19 is similar in some ways to the flu, they are separate conditions, with different symptoms, caused by different viruses.

If you are concerned that you may have symptoms of COVID-19, remain in isolation and reach out to your doctor as soon as possible to get tested.

Breathing: Rats and pigs can survive on oxygen fed through their RECTUM, study finds - Daily Mail

Posted: 14 May 2021 08:00 AM PDT

We all know at least one person who metaphorically talks out of their rear end, but it may be possible to literally breathe via your behind, a study has determined.

This is a trick employed by certain aquatic organisms — like some freshwater catfish, loaches and sea cucumbers — to help them survive in low-oxygen conditions.

Bypassing lungs or gills, this method sees oxygen absorbed directly into the blood via the intestinal lining. It has long been debated if mammals can do the same.

Experts led from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University have demonstrated that mice, rats and pigs can take in oxygen delivered by means of a special liquid enema.

Should the findings prove applicable to humans as well, this alternative ventilation method could be used clinically to help stave off respiratory failure.

While unusual, this approach could be beneficial in this time of COVID-19, which has seen critical shortages of conventional ventilators in hospitals around the globe. 

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT 

Researchers believe that mechanical ventilation (left) could be replaced with intestinal liquid ventilation (right), in which patients would be given an enema of oxygenated perfluorochemicals

Researchers believe that mechanical ventilation (left) could be replaced with intestinal liquid ventilation (right), in which patients would be given an enema of oxygenated perfluorochemicals

Loaches (pictured) use intestinal breathing to help them survive in low-oxygen conditions
Intestinal breathing is a trick employed by certain aquatic organisms like sea cucumbers (pictured)

Intestinal breathing is a trick employed by certain aquatic organisms — like loaches (left) and sea cucumbers (right) — to help them survive in low-oxygen conditions

'Artificial respiratory support plays a vital role in the clinical management of respiratory failure,' said paper author and Takanori Takebe of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Respiratory failure can result from the contraction of various severe illnesses — including acute respiratory distress syndrome, COVID-19 and pneumonia.

'Although the side effects and safety need to be thoroughly evaluated in humans, our approach may offer a new paradigm to support critically ill patients with respiratory failure,' Dr Takebe added.

In their study, Dr Takebe and colleagues first designed an intestinal gas ventilation that was capable of administering pure oxygen to mice via their recta. 

The team demonstrated that, without the ventilation system, mice were not able to survive even 11 minutes in extremely low-oxygen conditions.

However, with intestinal gas ventilation, the researchers found that more oxygen was able to reach the mice's hearts, and three-quarters of the rodents were able to survive in the extreme low-oxygen conditions for a whole 50 minutes.

The team first designed an intestinal gas ventilation that was capable of administering pure oxygen to mice via their recta (pictured)

The team first designed an intestinal gas ventilation that was capable of administering pure oxygen to mice via their recta (pictured)

This gas ventilation system has a drawback in that it works most efficiently when the muscosa — the inner lining of the intestinal tract — is physically abraded with a brush. 

This means that such is unlikely to be clinically suitable, especially when dealing with severely ill patients, the researchers conceded.

To circumvent this issue, the team developed a liquid-based alternative which makes use of so-called oxygenated perfluorochemicals.

This compound has previously been determined to be biocompatible and safe to use in humans, and has been used clinically for airway-based liquid ventilation. 

The team developed a liquid-based alternative which makes use of so-called oxygenated perfluorochemicals — and tested it on mice, rats and pigs in the lab

The team developed a liquid-based alternative which makes use of so-called oxygenated perfluorochemicals — and tested it on mice, rats and pigs in the lab

In lab tests, the intestinal liquid ventilation system was also found to provide therapeutic benefits to mice, rats and pigs who were exposed to non-lethal, low-oxygen conditions.

The mice were found to be able to better oxygenate their hearts and walk further (managing a mean rate of 9.9cm per minute) in a 10 per cent oxygen chamber than their peers who were not given the treatment (who managed 0.4cm per minute).

In pigs, similar results were seen, with the intestinal liquid ventilation resulting in increased bodily oxygen levels and a reduction in skin pallor and coldness, without the production of obvious negative side effects.

'We show the effectiveness of an enteral ventilation approach in attaining systemic oxygenation in both rodent and porcine models,' the team wrote in their paper.

'Intrarectal delivery of a liquid form of O₂ known as conjugated perfluorocarbon […] is highly tolerable and efficacious in ameliorating severe respiratory failure.'

In pigs the intestinal liquid ventilation resulted in increased bodily oxygen levels and a reduction in skin pallor and coldness, without the production of obvious negative side effects. Pictured: the process of oxygenating the perfluorochemicals (left), preparing the enema (centre) and delivering it to the pig (right)

In pigs the intestinal liquid ventilation resulted in increased bodily oxygen levels and a reduction in skin pallor and coldness, without the production of obvious negative side effects. Pictured: the process of oxygenating the perfluorochemicals (left), preparing the enema (centre) and delivering it to the pig (right)

'This is a provocative idea and those first encountering it will express astonishment,' Caleb Kelly — an internal medicine expert from Yale University who was not involved in the present study — wrote in an associated commentary article. 

'Yet, as the potential clinical role is considered and the data presented by [the team] is examined, enteral ventilation via anus emerges as a promising therapy deserving scientific and medical interest.'

The finding, Dr Kelly added, 'opens the possibility of recruiting the distal gut to aid when mechanical ventilation of the lungs is inadequate.'

With their initial study complete, the researchers are planning to conduct further preclinical studies, while also beginning the regulatory steps needed to bring their respiration system to a clinical application that could be used on human patients.

Their ongoing work is being supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, with the specific goal of helping to combat COVID-19.

'The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is overwhelming the clinical need for ventilators and artificial lungs — resulting in a critical shortage of available devices, and endangering patients' lives worldwide,' Dr Takebe said. 

'The level of arterial oxygenation provided by our ventilation system, if scaled for human application, is likely sufficient to treat patients with severe respiratory failure, potentially providing life-saving oxygenation.'

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Med.

ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME EXPLAINED

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition where the lungs cannot provide the body's vital organs with enough oxygen.

It's usually a complication of a serious existing health condition. This means most people are already in hospital by the time they develop ARDS.

Symptoms of ARDS

These can include:

  • severe shortness of breath
  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • tiredness, drowsiness or confusion
  • feeling faint

When to get urgent medical help

Although most people get ARDS when they're already in hospital, this is not always the case. It can start quickly as a result of an infection, such as pneumonia, or if someone accidentally inhales their vomit.

Call 999 immediately to ask for an ambulance if a child or adult is having breathing problems.

What causes ARDS?

ARDS happens when the lungs become severely inflamed from an infection or injury. The inflammation causes fluid from nearby blood vessels to leak into the tiny air sacs in your lungs, making breathing increasingly difficult.

The lungs can become inflamed after:

  • pneumonia or severe flu
  • sepsis
  • a severe chest injury
  • accidentally inhaling vomit, smoke or toxic chemicals
  • near drowning
  • acute pancreatitis – a serious condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short time
  • an adverse reaction to a blood transfusion

Diagnosing ARDS

There's no specific test to diagnose ARDS. A full assessment is needed to identify the underlying cause and rule out other conditions.

The assessment is likely to include:

  • a physical examination
  • blood tests to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood and check for an infection
  • a pulse oximetry test, where a sensor attached to your fingertip, ear or toe is used to measure how much oxygen your blood is absorbing
  • a chest X-ray and a CT scan to look for evidence of ARDS
  • an echocardiogram – a type of ultrasound scan that's used to look at your heart and nearby blood vessels

Treating ARDS

If you develop ARDS, you'll probably be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and use a breathing machine (ventilator) to help your breathing.

You breathe through a mask attached to the machine. If your breathing is severely affected, a breathing tube may be inserted down your throat and into your lungs.

Fluids and nutrients will be supplied through a feeding tube (nasogastric tube) that's passed through your nose and into your stomach.

The underlying cause of ARDS should also be treated. For example, if it's caused by a bacterial infection, you may need antibiotics.

How long you'll need to stay in hospital depends on your individual circumstances and the cause of ARDS. Most people respond well to treatment, but it may be several weeks or months before you're well enough to leave hospital.

Complications of ARDS

Because ARDS is often caused by a serious health condition, about 1 in 3 people who get it will die. But most deaths are the result of the underlying illness, rather than ARDS itself.

For those who survive, the main complications are linked with nerve and muscle damage, which causes pain and weakness.

Some people also develop psychological problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

The lungs usually recover and long-term lung failure after ARDS is rare.

SOURCE: NHS

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