Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), formerly known as adult respiratory distress syndrome, is a severe lung condition that can result from both direct and indirect lung damage. The onset of ARDS is often abrupt and symptoms normally present within one to three days of the original trauma. Rapid breathing is one of the main symptoms, along with low blood oxygen levels and the feeling breathlessness.
In certain cases, ARDS presents additional symptoms beyond the main three. These include mental confusion, fever, headaches, and discolored skin, which is often a sign of suffocation. Further, patients may experience chest pain and general weakness.