Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a very serious life threatening condition. Basically, it is nothing less than a failure of the respiratory system. An individual with ARDS may begin to breathe rapidly as blood oxygen levels decline.
ARDS can result from an extended or serious illness such as pneumonia or patients who have suffered major injuries. ARDS must be addressed quickly or the patient can die from lack of sufficient oxygen.
While emphysema is most often connected with smoking cigarettes, not everyone who has emphysema, a form of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), acquires it from smoking or other external factors like air pollution or work in factories with chemical fumes. A genetic disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (known as A1AD or AAT) can cause emphysema in people with no other risk factors. [1]
Fortunately, with early detection and treatment, A1AD is treatable.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (also known as Alpha-1, antitrypsin deficiency disorder, or A1AD), is a genetic disorder—it is inherited from a parent. A1AD primarily affects the lungs and liver [1]. Often, people with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency will most often develop the symptoms of lung problems between the ages of 20 and 50.
In some cases, oxygen therapy may be required in addition to inhaled and other medications. [2]
