Causes
Severe sepsis and bacterial pneumonia are among the most common causes of ARDS.
Acute (or Adult) respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may be caused by a number of disorders that affect the lungs directly or indirectly. Causes of ARDS include:
- Severe sepsis syndrome. Sepsis is a condition where the blood is infected with bacteria.
- Bacterial pneumonia. Lung infection with bacteria and sepsis are the most common causes of ALI and ARDS.
- Severe trauma. Multiple fractures, head and chest injuries, injury to lungs, burns as well as other trauma such as near-drowning and inhalation of toxic substances could result in ARDS.
- Multiple transfusions.
- Aspiration of the acid from the stomach into the lungs.
- Drug overdosage.
- Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas.
- Post-cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
