Patient was educated on pathogenesis of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome as follows:
- ARDS usually occurs in patients, who are severely ill, hospitalized, and have many factors of comorbidity.
- The common element among the various risk factors for development of ARDS is, diffuse injury to the alveoli and small blood vessels in the lungs, leading to leaking of fluid from the blood vessels and accumulating in the alveoli.
- The usual protective response to injury is an inflammation. This inflammation results in release of some chemicals resulting in increased fluid accumulation in the alveoli.
- This inflammatory response with fluid accumulation in the alveoli, compromises the oxygen transport. Reduced oxygen transport to the tissues can be overwhelming in people, whose overall health is compromised, as oxygen is very much needed for healing.
- Also, progressive physical damage to the alveoli can result in deposition of scar tissue in the alveoli and the lung can become stiff. Stiff lungs are difficult to expand and accommodate air during inhalation. So, gradually breathing becomes increasingly difficult.
