Edema
Type: Symptom
Definition
Widespread, massive fluid accumulation in the peripheral tissues and body cavities.
Clinical Details
The profoundly damaged and highly inflamed intestinal mucosa begins aggressively leaking large amounts of critical blood proteins directly into the fecal stream. This severe protein-losing enteropathy rapidly depletes the body's serum albumin levels. Without sufficient albumin to maintain vascular osmotic pressure, fluid leaks massively out of the veins into the tissues, causing severe ascites and limb swelling.