ARDS, or acute respiratory distress syndrome, is characterized by excess fluid in the lungs, which interferes with breathing. It is typically a secondary condition that occurs with another illness or trauma and may cause death. For people who survive, certain nutritional changes to their diets may help control ARDS or prevent it from occurring again. Dietary alterations should not replace any medication or other medical treatment for ARDS.
Oils
Several types of dietary oils have shown potential in treating ARDS and are often prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of the condition. Fish oil, or EPA, and borage oil, or GLA, are two of the most common. In a study reported in "Critical Care Medicine," patients with ARDS showed improvement in lung permeability, oxygenation and overall function when they were continuously given EPA and GLA through an IV line. The study indicates that these two dietary oils, in conjunction with other treatments, may improve the outcome of ARDS by shortening hospital stays, improving breathing and preventing complications with other internal organs.
Enteral Nutrition
Enteral nutrition is also called tube feeding and is used in many cases of ARDS. Because the illness is often severe and typically requires a ventilator, normal eating patterns are not always achieved. Products designed for ARDS are fed through a tube directly into the stomach or small intestine, supporting a patient's health needs as he recovers from the illness. Dietary oils are included as well as calories and protein, which keep up strength until the patient can eat normally again.
Parenteral Nutrition
For ARDS patients whose gastrointestinal tract is not functioning, parenteral nutrition is an alternative method of introducing nutrients. This type of feeding involves introducing nutrients through an IV line directly into the blood. In the case of ARDS, the nutrition supplied contains a mix of calories, protein, carbohydrates and fats that are used to meet the needs of a person who cannot properly digest food. Depending on the severity of the condition, parenteral nutrition is used only for a short time.
Recovery
During recovery from ARDS, it is important to eliminate alcohol from the diet. Alcohol interferes with the airway's function of preventing foreign material from getting into the lungs, according to MayoClinic.com. If this occurs, ARDS may recur. An ARDS recovery diet slowly returns to normal once the patient is able to eat by mouth again. A well-balanced diet, including a variety of foods from all the food groups, is the best way to ensure adequate intake of the nutrients that help prevent disease.
References
- MayoClinic.com: ARDS
- Critical Care Medicine: Effect of Enteral Feeding With Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Gamma-Linolenic Acid, and Antioxidants in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Enteral Nutrition in ARDS Study Group
- TPM Team: Nutrition Support in Patients With Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Sydrome
- American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: What is Parenteral Nutrition?
