Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Directory
Acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, is a very serious and often life-threatening lung condition that leads to low levels of oxygen in the blood. Without enough oxygen, many of your body's organs cannot function properly or may stop working altogether. A number of conditions can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, but it usually occurs in people who are already sick with another disease or have a severe traumatic injury. Sometimes pneumonia can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage of acute respiratory distress syndrome, what it looks like, how to treat it, and much more.
Medical Reference
Respiratory System
The respiratory system is the organs and other parts of your body involved in breathing, when you exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Learn more about the parts of your respiratory system, how you breathe, and how your respiratory system works to clean the air.
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Find out how scientists figure out that a virus -- and which virus -- is the source of a disease like SARS.
Causes of the Common Cold
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Mountain Sickness Treatment
Heading to the mountains? WebMD explains altitude or mountain sickness, which can cause symptoms that range from a mild headache to a life-threatening buildup of fluid in the lungs.
Features
Living With COPD: About Treatments, Exercise, and Diet
Living with COPD presents 13 million Americans with new challenges, and opportunities for better health. Are you one? Then read on.
Coronavirus: Do You Need a Mask?
As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, protection is on everyone’s mind. Many celebrities have posted photos of themselves on social media wearing masks over their noses and mouths to try to ward off the virus.
Pepper and Soap Trick Teaches Kids to Wash Hands
A pre-K teacher in Miami found a unique way to help her students learn about the best way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new (novel) strain of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. It causes mild flu-like symptoms, but severe cases can be fatal. Learn how to spot symptoms, prevent spreading of the disease, and find out what to do if you think you have it.
Video
Diagnosing COPD
As many as 12 million Americans have COPD and haven’t been diagnosed. Early detection can help slow progression of the disease.
Living With COPD
COPD cannot be cured, but patients can learn to live with it and have a good quality of life. Some patients live many years with this lung disease.
Testing for Alpha-1 Deficiency
My Life with Alpha 1 Deficiency
Slideshows & Images
Blogs
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