The name of the disease when people swell from hunger. Hunger edema: causes, symptoms, treatment, recovery period, medical supervision and consultation

Documentary photographs from the period 17-23 of the last century, photographs from besieged Leningrad and modern photographs from African countries are terrifying. Malnourished children and adults with a disproportionately large abdomen or general swelling. These are manifestations of nutritional dystrophy.

Why does swelling occur?

Blood proteins retain water around them; prolonged fasting leads to a decrease in the concentration of protein in the blood, as a result, fluid rushes into the intercellular space. The situation is aggravated by the fact that a person experiences a false feeling of thirst and drinks even more water. The body reacts to a decrease in circulating blood volume in its own way: it reduces urine output to reduce fluid loss. As a result, the person swells even more. The abdominal cavity area is relatively free, so the bulk of the fluid from the intercellular space sweats into the abdominal space. Ascites occurs (fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity).

Hunger swelling is a bad sign that the urinary system cannot cope with the additional load. People who dry out from hunger have a better chance of surviving than those who develop nutritional dystrophy similar to hunger edema.

Bloating

In times of famine, people replace normal food with any other food: quinoa, nettle, tree buds, moss, clay, wood chips. This is not a normal human food and causes gas accumulation. The enzymes involved in digestion are also of a protein nature; prolonged fasting reduces the number of enzymes ─ food is not completely digested, rotting processes begin in the intestines, which contributes to gas formation. The muscular system also suffers: the muscles are depleted, become flabby and the muscle corset does not hold the internal organs ─ they “” outside the peritoneum. Food moves more slowly through the intestines, which contributes to its overflow.

Each of these factors can already cause an increase in abdominal volume, but together they contribute to a significant increase in the abdomen.

Childhood pellagra

Kwashiorkor or childhood pellagra is a form of nutritional dystrophy. It can develop even with adequate nutrition. Often found in poor countries and families where protein foods are replaced by inexpensive carbohydrates: cereals, pasta. The first cases of infantile pellagra were described in African children who were weaned too early because the mother was pregnant. The child does not receive the necessary amino acids, eats high-calorie carbohydrates (mainly foods sent by peacekeeping missions), and as a result, growth and development are delayed. Ascites develops, the liver and spleen enlarge. With proper care and medical attention, the child can be helped and will recover.

Some people with sufficient protein in their diet may also experience a decrease in albumin in the blood, and, as a result, general swelling and puffiness occurs. These are people suffering from glomerulonephritis, people with burn disease and toxic liver damage, cirrhosis. If patients have part of the intestine removed or have chronic enteritis, protein absorption is impaired, which may result in protein dystrophy, which can cause swelling.

In some countries, the right to food is guaranteed by law; in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right to decent food is given a separate place, but a huge number of people die every year from hunger and diseases associated with it.

Famine is one of the most terrible misfortunes that can strike humanity. Sunken eyes, withered skin, protruding ribs and a huge belly - this is what a hungry person looks like. However, where does the belly come from? A belly fat is a typical sign of a glutton who does not know moderation in food. However, it can also appear from malnutrition and is called starvation edema, or nutritional dystrophy.

Hunger swelling

A person receives most of the proteins from outside through food. When this source of replenishment dries up, the level of albumin (one of the most important proteins) decreases, there is nothing to retain water, as a result, the liquid leaks into the abdominal cavity and remains in the intercellular space. A vicious circle arises. Deprived of water, the blood thickens, the body goes into emergency mode and begins to increase the production of antidiuretic hormones, which in turn only increase swelling, the person swells up like a balloon.

Indigestion

But it's not just water that makes your stomach bloat. The enzymes responsible for digesting food also consist of proteins. Fasting significantly reduces their number. As a result, a small amount of food that a starving person could get, when it enters the stomach and further into the intestines, is not processed, but actually ferments, contributing to the active reproduction of bacteria. Which, in turn, produce a huge amount of gases that literally inflate a person’s stomach.

Types of dystrophy

It should be noted that not all people swell from hunger. In besieged Leningrad, those who died of starvation were divided into "dry" and "full". The difference between the former and the latter was that their body shrank, their organs shrank, and only the brain and kidneys remained unchanged. In some, the heart size barely reached a third of the required norm. But at the same time, "dry" dystrophic can be saved from starvation at any moment, while life is glimmering in the body. The “complete” at a certain moment has an irreversible condition, and even the best nutrition or treatment cannot save him.

Dry fasting is therapeutic fasting, in which it is forbidden to consume any food and water. With the right approach, such fasting can benefit the body.

Dry therapeutic fasting is a type of fasting in which it is forbidden to eat food and water for a certain period of time. Under certain conditions, it benefits the body.

Types of dry fasting

They are distinguished by duration:

short-term fasting - from 24 to 36 hours,
long-term fasting - up to three days (fasting 42, 48, 72 hours).

A long type of dry fasting is highly discouraged for unprepared people. During such a fast, a doctor's supervision is necessary - it is best to carry it out in a hospital.

Fasting is also divided into: Dry hard fasting- in this form, it is generally impossible not only to eat and drink, but also to contact with water. Any hygiene procedures are prohibited.

During dry, severe fasting, the body's internal reserves for survival are activated. Healthy cells begin to take nutrients and water from sick and defective ones, so viruses and bacteria die, tumors dry out, and swelling goes away. After three days of such fasting, a person's senses are aggravated. Some people who have gone through this type of fasting note that they dreamed of water (lakes, rivers, waterfalls) or how they drink.

Dry mild fasting- Eating and drinking are prohibited, but hygiene can be observed (e.g. showering, washing hands).

With mild dry fasting, it is easier to last a long time without water, since the skin absorbs moisture during washing, bathing and other contacts with water. However, this has its own minus - after water procedures, you are more thirsty.

Combined fasting- a type of fasting in which first there is dry soft/hard fasting, and then fasting on water. In the interval between the transition from dry to water fasting, it is also forbidden to eat food. With combined fasting, the effect of cleansing the body is prolonged.

How to survive dry fasting easier

It is best to start with short-term dry soft fasting.
In order not to be tempted again, you can refuse to cook.
During a short dry fast, it is better not to sit at home, but to get out into nature - this will enhance the effect of the fast. It would not be a bad idea to swim in reservoirs if fasting occurs in the summer.
You can plan out all the days of fasting, keep yourself busy as much as possible so as not to think about food and water.

How to prepare for dry fasting

You can’t just stop eating and drinking. You need to enter the fasting process smoothly and carefully prepare for it. A week before fasting, you need to switch to light foods and vegetables. One day before - switch to juices and water, raw vegetables and fruits.

Two days before the start of dry fasting, you should do enemas to cleanse the intestines. Enemas are prohibited during fasting.

How often to fast

How to get out of dry fasting correctly

You need to come out of fasting gradually. On the day you end dry fasting, you need to consume a minimum of water - 500-800 grams. Frequent rinsing of the mouth with water is also recommended. If you immediately drink a large amount of liquid, it can harm the lymphatic and urinary systems.

The next (second) day you can drink juices and fruit drinks, as well as tea from medicinal herbs. During this period, the following juices will be useful: citrus, pineapple, pomegranate. Among fruit drinks, it is better to give preference to cranberry, lingonberry, and lemon.

On the third day after the end of fasting, you need to start eating vegetables and fruits, preferably raw. The number of hours that must be spent on breaking dry fasting should be three times greater than the time spent in fasting. For example, if dry fasting lasted 24 hours, then it will take 72 hours to come out of it.

What are the benefits of dry fasting for the body?

When done correctly, dry fasting can bring significant benefits to the body. Namely:

extend life,
get rid of viral and bacterial infections,
lose extra pounds,
get rid of toxins,
create a reserve of energy,
fight cancer or prevent its development,
rejuvenate the body externally and internally,
protect yourself from radiation.

With the help of dry therapeutic fasting, you can get rid of excess cholesterol, cleanse blood vessels and mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

The harm of fasting to the body

Any type of fasting is, first of all, a great stress for the body, especially if it is carried out incorrectly. Therefore, before limiting yourself in food and water, it is imperative to visit a doctor, undergo general tests, undergo examinations and receive recommendations regarding dry fasting.

Unfortunately, therapeutic dry fasting is not suitable for everyone. Dry fasting has strict contraindications for doing it at home:

diabetes,
increased blood clotting,
tumors (especially malignant ones),
stomach and duodenal ulcers,
kidney and bladder diseases,
lack of body weight.

Dry fasting also has side effects. So, for example, if a person drinks a lot of coffee, as well as alcohol and strong tea, then in the first days of dry fasting he may have a headache.

Another common side effect is feeling worse after breaking the fast, which disappears the next day. If your health continues to deteriorate, you should urgently seek medical help!

Dry fasting and excess weight

With the help of dry therapeutic fasting, you can get rid of extra pounds, but only if the fasting is long. By fasting for a short period of time, you will not be able to lose noticeable weight. The body begins to actively spend its internal reserve only after two or three days, so it is impossible to get rid of 5-10 kg of excess weight in a couple of days of a hunger strike.

However, if you change your diet, monitor your diet, while fasting for 48-72 hours once a month under the supervision of specialists, you can achieve the desired result. For the best effect, it is advisable to do physical exercise in between fasting periods. It would be a good idea to consult a nutritionist.

In pursuit of an ideal weight, you should never use dry fasting without a full examination of the body, consultation with a therapist and specialists if you have chronic diseases. Dry fasting can cause significant harm to an unprepared body!

Dry fasting as a method of treating diseases

Dry therapeutic fasting gives a powerful immunostimulating effect. In medicine, dry fasting is used only for very strict indications. Often such fasting is prescribed to patients with cancer during the treatment of the initial stage of cancer. Also, sometimes short-term dry fasting is recommended for acute pancreatitis.

In the presence of chronic diseases, especially those occurring in an acute form, it is necessary to undergo appropriate therapy. After this, based on research, the attending physician should advise the patient about dry fasting for medicinal purposes, if, thanks to the refusal of food and water, a positive effect for the body is achieved without causing harm.

There is a common expression among the people: swell from hunger“. At first glance, it sounds absurd, because everyone knows that they lose weight from hunger, but gain weight from excess food and calories. However, the expression "swollen from hunger" has reason to be true. Let's consider the mechanisms hunger edema and swelling if you are malnourished, or nutritional dystrophy(from English alimentary - food and Greek trophos - nutrition).

Mechanism No. 1. Blood proteins and hungry edema

A little theory. There are about 100 different proteins in the blood, normally there are about 60-80 g in 1 liter of plasma(serum) blood. Proteins are separated into fractions by electrophoresis. Electrophoresis(from the Greek phoreo - to transfer) is the movement of dissolved charged particles in a medium under the influence of an external electric field. Electrophoresis isolates 5 blood protein fractions: 1 fraction of albumin and 4 fractions (α1, α2, β, γ) of globulins (these include lipoproteins, fibrinogen, various carrier proteins).

Blood protein fractions (after electrophoresis).

One of the main functions of blood plasma proteins is to retention of water in vessels. Due to their high molecular weight, proteins make a small (only 0.5%) but important contribution to the maintenance osmotic pressure blood plasma. The “protein” part of the osmotic pressure is called oncotic pressure(from Greek onkos - volume, mass). 80% of oncotic pressure is given by albumins due to their high content in blood plasma (35-55 g/l) and relatively low molecular weight.

With malnutrition, the concentration of albumin (and other proteins too) decreases, therefore, with the level of albumin less than 30 g/l water from the bloodstream enters the tissues, causing “hungry” swelling. According to the mechanism of formation, these edemas are also called protein-free. Fluid often leaks into the abdominal cavity ( ascites). At the same time, the volume of blood in the bloodstream decreases, which automatically forces the regulatory systems to increase the release aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone, which lead to the accumulation of water and sodium in the body. Another mechanism for the formation of edema during malnutrition is decline in kidney excretory function.

Swelling of the left leg.

For information. Other reasons for decreased albumin levels in the blood:

malabsorption proteins in the gastrointestinal tract (removal of part of the stomach and intestines; enteritis - inflammation of the small intestine),
decreased synthesis albumin in the liver (toxic damage, liver cirrhosis),
increased losses squirrel:
into the intestinal lumen with intestinal obstruction, peritonitis;
on the burn surface with extensive burns;
with urine with nephrotic syndrome (glomerulonephritis).

Mechanism No. 2. Large (swollen) belly

Malnourished people often experience bloating, which has several reasons:

ascites(accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity), see above;
exhaustion and intestinal smooth muscle weakness, due to which the movement of food and resulting gases slows down;
enzyme deficiency(which are proteins) leads to poor digestion of food and, consequently, increased rotting.
slow progress of food, poor digestion and increased decay contribute to active bacterial growth, which are normally up to 1 kg in the intestines (according to Wikipedia, up to 10 bacteria for each human cell). At the same time, the immune system is also weakened (antibodies are proteins) and weakly fights microbes.
due to an acute lack of food they eat inedible things. As already discussed in the topic, an empty stomach is one of the reasons for the feeling of hunger. People eat “grass, tree roots, tree bark, sawdust, moss, white clay, straw,” which are poorly digestible, do not provide satiety and only clog the stomach and intestines.

Hungry children have swollen bellies.

However far away not all starving and malnourished people swell.

The very first winter of the siege showed that it was impossible to simply feed a dystrophic person - his body was often unable to absorb food, and almost all of his organs were modified. Blockade pathologists were convinced that a person who died from dystrophy still had only two organs are unchanged - the brain and kidneys. The remaining organs decreased in size, as if they were drying out - the body, not receiving food, began to eat itself (first - fat deposits, then - internal organs, even the heart could shrink by almost a third). Dystrophic women stopped having periods - the body sacrificed the reproductive function in order to somehow survive.

Some dystrophics dried up like chips - this was called " dry dystrophy”, others, on the contrary, poured painful fullness- this meant that the body was not able to remove the waste fluid. In addition, the siege survivors sometimes replaced the lack of food with water - a glass of boiling water was considered lunch for many. “Complete” degeneration, as a rule, died later than “dry”, but almost certainly, while “dry” could pull out with timely treatment. It’s hard to say who looked worse: the “dry” dystrophic had absolutely parchment-like dark skin that covered the living skeleton, while the “full” one, on the contrary, was deathly white, puffy, and if you pressed the skin with a finger, a depressed mark remained for a long time, often filling ichor.

Think about it. In 2008, according to WHO, every day in the world from hunger and diseases directly related to it, died 24 thousand people(every 3.6 seconds for a person). For the year 8.8 million. It seems that fewer people died in World War II (he clarified: in 6 years, from 32 to 55 million were killed on all fronts). In besieged Leningrad, from 0.5 to 1.5 million people died of starvation.

Malnutrition diseases in children

In children, malnutrition manifests as kwashiorkor And alimentary insanity.

KWASHIORKOR (children's pellagra)- alimentary dystrophy in children due to lack of protein even with sufficient total caloric content of food (i.e., the food lacks protein in the first place).

Kwashiorkor.

The disease was first described in African children who, after breast milk, switched to low-protein carbohydrate foods that contained very few essential amino acids. Translated from the dialect of Ghana (a state in West Africa), “kwashiorkor” means “a disease that the older child gets when the younger one is about to be born.” Coming growth and mental retardation. Due to a decrease in the protective functions of intestinal cells, bacteria often enter the bloodstream, causing the liver and spleen to enlarge ( hepato- and splenomegaly), arises ascites. The skin has a characteristic rash and non-healing sores on the skin and mucous membranes.

Signs of kwashiorkor:
A- tendency to easy and painless hair loss;
B- swelling (after pressing, a dimple remains on the skin for a long time);
WITH- skin ulcers;
D- delayed wound healing.

A child with kwashiorkor may experience thinning hair, a puffy face, underweight, and stunted growth. Stomatitis [inflammation of the oral mucosa] indicates a lack of vitamin B
(photo and explanation from).

NUTRITIONAL INASM(from the Greek marasm?s - exhaustion, extinction) - nutritional dystrophy in children due to protein-energy deficiency with a predominance of energy deficiency (i.e. lack of both proteins and calories in general).

Nutritional insanity.

In contrast to the reaction to malnutrition, which is manifested by a general slowdown in growth, in a child with nutritional insanity, the metabolism is reoriented to consumption of energy resources of one's own tissues. With nutritional marasmus, general exhaustion quickly sets in: the subcutaneous fat layer almost completely disappears, muscles atrophy, the sick child gains the appearance of a withered, wrinkled old man. But in most cases the appetite is preserved, so with proper care the child can be brought out of this serious condition quite quickly.

Everyone at least once in their life has heard the expression “swollen from hunger” - at first glance, quite strange. They swell and gain weight from food, but in theory they lose weight from hunger. But only up to a certain limit. Famine is one of the most terrible misfortunes that can strike humanity. Sunken eyes, withered skin, protruding ribs and a huge belly - this is what a hungry person looks like. However, where does the belly come from? A belly fat is a typical sign of a glutton who does not know moderation in food. However, it can also appear from malnutrition and is called starvation edema, or nutritional dystrophy.

Hunger swelling

To understand the reason for this phenomenon, you need to know that the human body is a rather complex system, the stability of which depends on a huge number of circumstances. For example, the proteins that make up the blood perform several functions at once, and one of them is maintaining the so-called oncotic pressure in the blood plasma, which is necessary to retain water in the blood vessels. A person receives most of the proteins from outside through food. When this source of replenishment dries up, the level of albumin (one of the most important proteins) decreases, there is nothing to retain water, as a result, fluid sweats into the abdominal cavity and remains in the intercellular space. A vicious circle arises. Blood deprived of water thickens, the body goes into emergency mode and begins to intensify the production of antidiuretic hormones, which in turn only intensify swelling, the person swells like a balloon.

Indigestion

But it's not just water that makes your stomach bloat. The enzymes responsible for digesting food also consist of proteins. Fasting significantly reduces their number. As a result, the small amount of food that a starving person was able to get, when it enters the stomach and further into the intestines, is not processed, but practically rots and ferments, promoting the active proliferation of bacteria. Which in turn produce a huge amount of gases, literally inflating a person’s stomach.

Types of dystrophy

It should be noted that not all people swell from hunger. In besieged Leningrad, those who died of starvation were divided into “dry” and “complete” dystrophics. The difference between the former and the latter was that their body shrunk, their organs shrank, only the brain and kidneys remained unchanged. In some, the heart size barely reached a third of the required norm. But at the same time, “dry” dystrophic can be saved from starvation at any moment, as long as there is life in the body. At a certain moment, a “complete” person develops an irreversible condition, and even the best nutrition or treatment cannot save him.

Edema is a symptom of many diseases. If you notice swelling on your body that lasts for a long time, it may be worth making an appointment with your doctor.

Swelling can be hidden or obvious. Obvious swelling is easy to recognize immediately - a limb or area of the body increases in size, and stiffness in movement appears. Hidden edema may be indicated by a sharp increase in body weight or a decrease in the frequency of urination.

The most common type of edema is peripheral edema, which occurs when the ankles, feet, legs, or area around the eyes become swollen. But sometimes, in severe conditions, swelling of the entire body develops. This type of swelling is called anasarca.

Main causes of edema

Sometimes swelling occurs if a person is forced to remain in one position for a long time. For example, you may notice swelling in your legs after a long airplane flight.

In women, edema can develop during menstruation due to changed hormonal levels. Pregnancy is also a condition that promotes the development of edema. In this case, the volume of circulating blood increases and, under the influence of the growing uterus, pressure on the internal organs and tissues increases.

Taking certain medications (medicines to control blood pressure, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, some medications for diabetes) also provokes the development of edema.

However, in some cases, swelling occurs as a result of serious illnesses that require immediate consultation with a doctor.

1. Chronic heart failure

The heart plays the role of a pump in our body, thanks to which blood circulates from the lungs to the organs and tissues, saturating them with oxygen. If the work of the heart is disrupted, blood is retained in the periphery, and the person develops swelling of the legs, ankles, and lower back.

Usually the legs swell in the late afternoon. When you press on the area of edema, a dimple is left that slowly disappears. As the disease progresses, the flow of blood from the lungs is impaired. Then a cough and moist wheezing appear.

In severe cases, the outflow of blood from internal organs is disrupted. Fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, and the stomach increases in size. This condition is called ascites.

2. Kidney diseases

With kidney disease, conditions are created for sodium and fluid retention in the body. Unlike cardiac edema, renal edema increases in the morning. Swelling of the face and area around the eyes is common. The arms and legs swell, especially the ankles and shins.

When kidney function is impaired, the so-called nephrotic syndrome develops. In this case, protein is lost in the urine, the protein content in the blood decreases, and conditions are created for the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. You may notice that your urine becomes foamy, your appetite decreases, and weight gain occurs due to fluid retention in the body.

3. Cirrhosis of the liver

Some hereditary diseases, hepatitis B or C, alcohol abuse, and endocrine disorders can lead to liver cirrhosis. If the liver malfunctions, the outflow of blood from the internal organs is disrupted, protein production in the body decreases, swelling of the legs develops, and fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity (ascites).

Early symptoms of liver cirrhosis may include nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, and increased fatigue.

4. Impaired blood flow

If an obstruction occurs in the path of blood outflow, edema develops. This can happen, for example, if the deep veins of the legs are blocked by blood clots. If you have deep vein thrombosis, you may feel pain in your leg or notice redness.

In addition, a growing tumor can interfere with the flow of blood through the lymphatic or blood vessels. These conditions are life-threatening and require urgent medical attention.

5. Allergic reaction

Allergic edema can be caused by foods, medications, flowers, animals, or insect bites, to which a person has developed hypersensitivity. The difference between allergic edema is that it develops suddenly, literally in a few minutes. The person does not experience pain, but allergic edema is one of the most life-threatening. Swelling of the larynx and tongue can cause suffocation and death.

6. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy. Edema in preeclampsia is accompanied by increased blood pressure and impaired renal function. This is a very dangerous condition that threatens the life of both the mother and the unborn child. Therefore, you should visit your doctor regularly during pregnancy. Only he will be able to distinguish minor swelling during pregnancy from a critical condition.

It is important to recognize edema that poses a threat to human life. First of all, this is allergic swelling. If it develops, the person must be helped immediately, otherwise death due to suffocation is possible. It is extremely dangerous if the swelling has developed due to a blood clot. The clot or part of it can move further along the blood vessels. Then there is a risk of developing a heart attack, stroke and other life-threatening conditions.

If edema is one of the symptoms of preeclampsia, it can threaten placental abruption, fetal death, retinal detachment, stroke, and eclampsia (convulsions that can be fatal).

With constant and progressive swelling of the legs, stiffness in movements increases, difficulties arise when walking; skin stretches; the elasticity of arteries, veins and joints decreases; the blood supply is disrupted and the risk of infection of the area of edema and the development of ulcers on the skin increases.

Minor swelling may go away without the help of a doctor. If swelling persists for a long time or develops suddenly, this is an alarming symptom. You need to see a doctor urgently.

In case of allergic edema, it is necessary to immediately stop the patient’s contact with the allergen that caused the edema and take antihistamines. If you have allergies in your home, consult your doctor about what medications should be in your home medicine cabinet.

If swelling is associated with dysfunction of the heart, kidneys, liver, or vein thrombosis, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment for the underlying disease.

In addition, special diuretics are prescribed that remove excess fluid from the body. After prescribing appropriate treatment, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations. You may need to change your eating habits and lifestyle.

The following measures will help reduce the severity of edema and prevent its recurrence.

1. Moderate physical activity

Even if you are unable to engage in active sports due to illness, your doctor will advise you on possible physical exercises. When muscles contract in the area of edema, conditions are created to remove excess fluid.

2. Massage

Stroking the swollen area in the direction of the heart will help remove excess fluid from the swollen area.

3. Diet

Excess salt in the diet contributes to fluid retention in the body. Depending on the severity of the disease, your doctor will advise how much you need to limit your salt intake. Sometimes it is enough to add a little less salt to your food.

For more severe illnesses, you will have to avoid salt altogether. In this case, the diet should be balanced, contain a sufficient amount of protein, vitamins and microelements.

If metabolic processes are disrupted, the body may suffer from a deficiency of fluid, which forms dehydration, or, on the contrary, its excessive retention in the tissues, which is manifested by hidden or pronounced edema.

Swelling occurs due to various reasons, and this is not always due to excessive consumption of water or salt. Disorders of protein and carbohydrate metabolism, endocrine disorders with changes in the balance of hormones, infectious and somatic pathologies, allergic reactions and inflammatory processes can provoke swelling of different localization and severity.

Swelling can occur in any part of the body where there is soft tissue that can accumulate fluid. In this case, water accumulates in body cavities, in the intercellular space or inside cells. The mechanism of edema formation is different, as are the reasons that lead to swelling of the body or certain areas of it.
Origin may be:

physiological, associated with changes in external environmental conditions or restructuring of metabolic processes, as, for example, during pregnancy: the growth of the uterus leads to compression of the inferior vena cava, which makes it difficult for blood to return to the heart through the veins, congestion forms in the lower extremities with swelling;
pathological, arising due to various disruptions in metabolic processes, which leads to fluid retention in certain areas, disrupting the functionality and structure of tissues and organs.

Edema itself is not a disease, it is a pathological symptom (a sign of disease) indicating the presence of water-salt imbalance. They can be local, appearing in a specific part of the body, organ or cavity, in the area of a limb, face, neck or genitals. At the same time, other areas of the body do not suffer from fluid retention and function normally.

Systemic edema is characterized by a relatively uniform distribution of fluid throughout the body, in the intercellular space and body cavities, in severe cases affecting the intracellular sector.

Edema - what is it, what types are there?

Based on what factors act as the cause of edema and the mechanisms of development of the pathological process, several special types of pathology are identified that have specific external manifestations.

Inflammatory- formed in the area of tissue damage and exposure to inflammatory mediators, microbial or viral activity, and other causes. Typically, such edema affects soft tissues and organs and is formed as a result of the active influence of inflammatory mediators on vascular permeability.

Allergic- in many respects the development mechanism is similar to the previous type, but swelling has slightly different causes and is formed as a result of the action of allergy mediators on the tissue - histamine, bradykinin and some others. Due to their influence, the lumen of the capillaries changes, vascular permeability sharply increases, the liquid part of the blood rushes from the vessels into the tissues, quickly forming edema, especially in loose, hydrophilic tissues.

Toxic species- are similar in their formation mechanisms to inflammatory and allergic ones, but the role of factors leading to increased vascular permeability are poisonous, toxic compounds, which often also reduce blood viscosity. Such swelling is dangerous because it can affect large areas, including general damage to the body.

Swelling due to fasting are associated with a deficiency of proteins that act as a kind of “magnets” for water molecules, preventing them from leaving the vessels. If there are much more proteins in the tissues than inside the vessels, they attract water molecules to themselves, trapping them in the tissues. A certain amount of plasma proteins forms oncotic pressure, which is higher inside the vessels than in the intercellular space. With the loss of protein due to fasting (or with serious kidney damage, when more than 1 g/l of protein is lost in the urine), a change in the oncotic pressure of the plasma relative to the intercellular space occurs. The liquid rushes into the tissue. The expression “to swell from hunger” is associated with this process.

Lymphogenic, arising due to impaired circulation of lymph in the capillaries, its collection from parts of the body and delivery to the venous network, from which edema is localized in regions rich in lymphatic capillaries and venous plexuses - venous plexuses, also known as cava-caval anastomoses, inter- and intrasystemic anastomoses veins (limbs, chest cavity).

Neurogenic are associated with disruption of the functioning of nerve fibers or sensory endings, due to which vascular tone and their permeability to fluid are poorly controlled due to expansion or spasm at the right time. Such edema usually develops in the affected parts of the body, innervated by the damaged trunk or, in the case of brain centers (for example, with a stroke), by the projection of the affected area.

Swelling of the body: causes

Often, both subtle and quite pronounced swelling of the body occurs, the causes of which may be associated with pathologies of internal organs, somatic or infectious diseases, poisoning or trauma.

Idiopathic

It is assumed that the development is based on an endocrine factor, a change in the balance of hormones, especially the estrogen series. The assumption is based on their more frequent formation in young and middle-aged women. Such swelling occurs against the backdrop of hot weather and stress; fluid accumulates in those parts of the body that are most susceptible to the influence of gravity: in a standing position, these are the lower limbs and partially the upper, in a lying position - the lower part of the body.

Heartfelt

Associated with a violation of the pumping function of the heart muscle (myocardium), which is not capable of pumping the volume of blood that is necessary for full blood flow in the arteries and veins. Edema in this case is associated with stagnation of blood in the area of venous vessels, especially those distant from the heart and having a small diameter; they form in the evening, after an active day or sports activities, are expressed in the area of the hands and feet, and spread upward. In heart failure, swelling is severe, can reach the groin and abdomen, shoulders and spread throughout the body; when resting in an upright position, it decreases or is distributed in the body cavities, along the back, chest.

Renal

The causes of body edema are hidden in the disruption of the mechanisms of filtration and reabsorption of water and salts, as well as the loss of proteins by the kidneys in the presence of inflammatory processes. Kidney function may suffer when their blood supply is disrupted and renal tissue hypoxia, which leads to the release of factors (biologically active substances) that increase pressure and promote the removal of fluid from the vessels into the tissue. Such swelling is typical in the morning, spreading from top to bottom - from the face and neck to the extremities.

Causes of edema from a physiological point of view

From a physiological point of view, swelling- this is the retention of excess fluid inside the vessels, in the space between the cells and, in severe cases, inside them due to an imbalance of sodium, proteins, water, as well as disorders in the regulatory link (hormone release, vascular tone, problems of the nervous system). For edema to occur, a combination of certain conditions and the influence of both external and internal factors is necessary.

Often the causes of edema of the whole body lie in a violation of the pressure inside the vessels, tissues and cells - in a change in the hydrodynamic gradient. Under normal conditions, blood pressure in arteries and capillaries is higher than in tissues, but in veins it is lower than in tissue fluid, which allows blood to flow and supply all cells with oxygen and nutrients. If the pressure in the area of the arteries is high (for example, with hypertension), it also increases in the vessels of the capillary network, “squeezing out” excess fluid into the tissue, and the veins do not have time to return it all back, due to the fact that the pressure in the area of the tissues themselves increases , and water returns poorly to the veins. This happens when a large volume of liquid is administered orally or intravenously, when general swelling of the body forms.

The cause of edema of the entire body may be a violation of the permeability of cell membranes (both in the area of blood vessels and tissues and organs). The membranes become permeable, allowing water, salts, and small molecules to pass through where they were supposed to be retained. Increase membrane permeability:

mediators of inflammation and allergy (especially histamine),
some toxins entering the body,
under-oxidized metabolic products,
enzymes of infectious agents (microbes or viruses) that damage the membranes of cells and blood vessels, creating “holes” in them.

Edema of this type is typical for poisoning, diabetes, gestosis in pregnant women, and infectious diseases. The leg or arm, face, neck and other areas swell.
Osmotic or oncotic pressure disorders. Osmotic pressure is created by certain concentrations of salts in the area of cells, intercellular space and blood vessels. The liquid, according to the law of osmosis, rushes to where there is more salt to dilute the concentration. Typically, such swelling is associated with poor nutrition, intake of salty foods and large volumes of liquid. Edema of the entire body may occur when the amount of protein in the plasma and tissues changes. Proteins have the ability to retain water, and it moves from tissues to blood vessels because a lot of protein is dissolved in the plasma. During fasting or loss of protein by the kidneys, burns or other problems, the concentration of protein in the plasma decreases, but in the tissues there remains the same amount or becomes larger, and water rushes into the tissues.

Disruption of the lymphatic system is another factor in the development of edema. The lymphatic network densely entwines all tissues and organs, collecting excess fluid in capillaries and carrying it into the common duct, which flows into the bloodstream near the heart. If the capillaries are inflamed, compressed by scars, injured or affected by tumor metastases, the fluid through them cannot fully flow into the vessels and stagnates in the tissues. This is usually local swelling in the extremities or body cavities.

If the body swells, the reasons may also be a violation of the resistance of tissues that lose collagen and elastin fibers; they have a highly loose structure and reduced activity of enzyme systems that maintain the elasticity and turgor of tissues. This happens against the background of systemic infectious and autoimmune pathologies, severe inflammatory processes, and general toxicosis.

Particularly dangerous against the background of any mechanisms of edema are damage to vital organs, especially cerebral or pulmonary edema, allergic edema of the larynx, which threaten a person’s death without timely assistance.

If swelling of the body is detected: what to do

Any swelling that is visually quite pronounced requires consultation with a doctor. They are often the body’s first signals about serious abnormalities associated with metabolic processes. It is especially dangerous if swelling forms on the face and neck, spreads to the eyes, fingers, and on the legs; swelling interferes with wearing shoes and moving.

If there is edema, it is important to immediately review your diet and drinking regimen, consume less salt, and drink only clean, still water, since sweet carbonated drinks, coffee, and tea increase swelling. If the swelling does not go away within a day, or the whole body swells, the reasons for this condition should be determined by a doctor. First of all, an examination is carried out and the degree of fluid retention is determined: this parameter can be approximately calculated if the patient knows how much he usually weighs and how his weight has changed with the development of edema.

There are tests and samples that determine the degree of hydrophilicity (swelling) of tissues. Thus, a blister test will help determine how saturated the tissues are with liquid, and identifying a dimple on the lower leg and its disappearance will indicate the presence of hidden edema.

When visiting a doctor, the patient must be told about all the medications that were taken, as they can cause swelling and fluid retention in the tissues. It is necessary to indicate whether there are problems with the kidneys and heart, how often edema occurs and what causes it.

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