SHOCK LUNG

SHOCK LUNG

Overview and Facts

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), otherwise known as shock lung, happens when air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs are filled with fluid. If the fluids fill the air sacs in your lungs, it could elevate carbon dioxide levels and could reduce oxygen levels. It can limit the amount of oxygen that goes into your organs to sustain normal function and therefore, could result in organ malfunction. This is a serious medical condition and needs immediate medical attention.

Some causative agents that lead to this kind of lung damage include:

  • Inhaling toxic substances,such as chemicals
  • Seriousblood infection
  • Seriousinfection in the lungs, such as pneumonia
  • Injury in the heartor chest
  • Sedative or tricyclic antidepressant overdose

It is usually a complication of another condition. These factors increase the risk of developing shock lung:

  • Age 65 and above
  • Persistent lung disease
  • Ahistory of bad habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse

This can be more serious for people with these conditions:

  • Toxic shock
  • Liver failure
  • Alcoholism

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of this typically appear one to three days after the injury or trauma. Common signs and symptoms of this includes:

  • Heavy breathing
  • Muscle pain and weakness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Unevenskin or nails
  • Drycough
  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Palpitation

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

If you see symptoms of shock lung in someone, rush them immediately to the nearest hospital for emergency care. It needs immediate medical attention, and early treatment may help increase the survival rate of individuals afflicted with this condition.

This can be diagnosed through various ways. The is no reliable test for ARDS. The doctor may get your blood pressure, perform a physical examination, and order any of the following diagnostics:

  • Ablood test
  • An echocardiogram
  • Higher imaging modalities e.g. aCT scan
  • A chest X-ray
  • Throat and nose swabs
  • An electrocardiogram
  • An airway examination

Low blood pressure and low blood oxygen can be indications of it. A specialist will determine and prevent any heart problem with the aid of the echocardiogram and electrocardiogram. It will be confirmed and diagnosed if the result of the CT scan or X-ray reveals that air sacs in the lungs are filled with fluid.

 

TREATMENT

Oxygen

The objective of shock lung treatment is focused on making sure that a person’s body has a sufficient amount of oxygen to prevent organ failure.  There is a machine that helps pump air into the lungs and eliminates fluid from the air sacs; it is called mechanical ventilation.

 

Medication

Mediacation to patients are usually given treatments to deal with the symptoms. These include:

  • Pain medicationsto relieve pain due to shock lung
  • Antibiotics for infections
  • Blood thinners to prevent blood clot formation

A lot of shock lung survivors recover within a few months. However, some cases cause long-term lung damage.

 

Preventing shock lung

It is impossible to avoid . However, doing the following may lower your chances of acquiring it.

  • Seek immediatemedical assistance for any trauma, infection, or illness
  • Stopunhealthy habits such as smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
  • Stop alcohol consumption
  • Vaccination

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