If you developed acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS) after a serious accident, you are suffering from a catastrophic injury that can cause long-term complications and limitations in your day-to-day life—if you are one of the lucky people who survive ARDS. These 
problems can include permanent scarring of your lungs, limitations in your lung function and ability to breathe, and memory, cognitive, and emotional problems. However, there are things you can do to help cope with the long-term changes to your life.
Four Tips for Adjusting to Living With ARDS
While every person’s recovery from ARDS is different, most people will find the road to recovery to be a long process that can cause devastating changes to their lives. However, the following steps can help you to adjust:
Request assistance. Especially after you are first released from the hospital, you may need help from family members or friends with your everyday tasks that you may not be able to do on your own.
Find a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Utilizing a pulmonary rehabilitation program can provide you with exercise training, education, and counseling to help you return to what you can of your regular activities and to achieve your ideal weight.
Join a support group. Having a chronic lung problem—especially if you were healthy before your accident—can be extremely challenging to live with. Joining a support group with other people who also have chronic lung problems can help you cope.
Get professional counseling. Depression can be common for people suffering with long-term consequences of ARDS due to all the sudden restrictions in their lives. If you are experiencing depression, contacting a mental health professional may be able to help.
Have you or a family member developed ARDS from a serious accident? Fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation to learn about the compensation you could be entitled to.
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