Definition
Edemas are pathological accumulations of fluid in the tissue. In most cases, the fluid escapes from the vascular system and collects in the space between the cells (interstitium). The cause of edema formation is not only a circulatory disorder but also a protein deficiency.
This is then called protein deficiency edema. These are caused by the fact that the oncotic pressure in the capillaries is too low. The protein deficiency means that not enough pressure can be built up to keep the fluid in the vascular system.
Causes
A protein deficiency in the blood can lead to the formation of protein deficiency edema. Fluid then collects outside the blood vessel system in the interstitial space (space between cells). If the protein content in the blood serum drops below 5 g/dl, there is a high risk of developing protein deficiency edema.
The causes for a protein deficiency in the blood (hypoproteinemia) can be numerous. On the one hand, a low protein intake in the diet is responsible for this. This is usually not a problem in the western world.
In Africa, however, many people, especially children, suffer from protein deficiency edema, also known as hunger edema. Protein deficiency also occurs with certain diseases. If the pancreas is weak (pancreatic insufficiency), the large protein molecules in the intestine cannot be completely split and thus cannot be absorbed through the mucous membrane.
A protein deficiency can also occur if the liver is not able to synthesize protein (due to liver cirrhosis), since new protein molecules are normally formed from amino acids that are taken in with food. In Europe, a protein deficiency edema in the context of a tumor disease (due to the increased protein consumption) is a common cause. This also applies to an increased protein loss through the kidneys (nephrotic syndrome).
By which symptoms can one recognize a protein deficiency edema?
Edemas are pathological accumulations of fluid in the tissue. In principle, they can occur anywhere in the body. Mostly, however, in one of the upper layers of the skin, because here the capillaries lose fluid.
These oedemas are then perceived from the outside as swelling. Another indication of a protein deficiency is weight loss. This is usually caused by a reduction in muscle mass.
The muscles are broken down to slightly increase the protein content in the blood. Due to the missing musculature, the affected person often feels flabby and less efficient. The healing of wounds is significantly delayed, since protein is also needed to build new tissue.
The immune system is also weak. Frequent infections are the result. Other signs are dark circles under the eyes and protruding bones (e.g. on the face).
Hair loss and brittle nails can also be an indication of a protein deficiency. All in all, there are numerous symptoms where a protein deficiency can be thought of. Hunger edema in particular is manifested by an accumulation of water in the abdominal area.
The cause of hunger edema is protein deficiency. Normally, the body needs an adequate protein intake through food to maintain the protein content in the blood. Starvation leads to a severe protein deficiency in the course of the disease. This causes the oncotic pressure in the blood vessel system to drop and water to accumulate in the intercellular space. This is also the case in hunger edema in the legs but mainly in the abdomen.
