What is a common cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious condition characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs, leading to severe respiratory failure. One of the most common causes of ARDS is sepsis or severe pneumonia. When an infection like pneumonia overwhelms the body's defenses, it can lead to systemic inflammation. This inflammatory response affects the lungs, causing increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane, resulting in pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange.

Sepsis, which is a body-wide response to infection that can lead to organ dysfunction, can trigger ARDS through a similar mechanism. The inflammatory mediators released during sepsis can damage the lung tissue, leading to the same consequences of fluid accumulation and decreased oxygenation. This makes sepsis and severe pneumonia prevalent contributors to the development of ARDS, underscoring the critical link between severe infections and respiratory complications.

In contrast, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease primarily involves progressive lung disease and does not typically result in the sudden, drastic changes to lung function seen in ARDS. Severe allergic reactions can result in anaphylaxis and airway obstruction, but they do not commonly lead to ARDS unless there is severe systemic involvement. Mild respiratory infections usually do not cause the level of inflammation or damage required to precip