WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS of ARDS?
Because ARDS can result from so many different causes, the symptoms can vary. Some of the most common are shortness of breath, cough with white/pink expectoration, and fatigue. Also important are the symptoms associated with the possible triggering causes of the disease. Examples of these include abdominal pain in pancreatitis; fever, cough, and breathlessness in pneumonia; and chills and lightheadedness in initial severe infections. ARDS symptoms are so similar to pneumonia and congestive heart failure that diagnosis poses a great challenge to the physician. It is crucial that ample testing is performed to distinguish between these diagnoses, as each requires very specific treatment. A number of different complications can occur with ARDS. Secondary bacterial infections are a common complication and contribute to continued lung injury. Infections may also occur in other parts of the body such as the bloodstream, urinary tract, sinuses, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. Trauma to the lu
