Acute respiratory disease


Acute respiratory disease: A sudden condition in which breathing is difficult and the oxygen levels in the blood abruptly drop lower than normal.

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  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome

    Acute respiratory distress syndrome: Respiratory failure of sudden onset due to fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), following an abrupt increase in the permeability of the normal barrier between the capillaries in the lungs and the air sacs. The muscles used in breathing are forced to work harder, causing labored and inefficient breathing. An abnormally […]

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome

    Acute respiratory distress syndrome: Better known as ARDS. See: ARDS.

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    Acute stress disorder: The anxiety and behavioral disturbances that develop within a month of exposure to extreme trauma. The symptoms of an acute stress disorder usually begin during or shortly following the trauma. Such extreme traumatic events include rape or other severe physical assault, near-death experiences in accidents, witnessing a murder, and combat. The symptom […]

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  • Acute tubular necrosis

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