What is acute respiratory distress syndrome?
Acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, is a sudden and very serious illness that affects your lungs. The lungs are two hollow organs in your chest that stretch like a balloon when you breathe in, filling with air. The lungs connect to the bronchial tubes or airways which bring air into the lungs. ARDS occurs when the lungs become swollen and filled with fluid. The lung fluid causes severe shortness of breath and may lead to respiratory failure. Respiratory failure means you cannot breathe well enough to get oxygen to the cells of your body. A ventilator, or breathing machine, may be needed to help you breathe. ARDS is an emergency and immediate treatment is needed.
