P5 Explain Dysfunction In Relation To Water Balance And Its Possible Treatments
P5- Explain dysfunction in relation to water balance and its possible treatments.
M3- Discuss dysfunctions in relation to water balance and its possible treatments.
For P5 and M3, I am going to explain the dysfunctions that relate to the balance between water intake and the disturbance of water output. Then I am going to discuss it in more detail.
Oedema, also known as dropsy, is one of the dysfunctions and this is when there is too much fluid retention in the body. In other words, the accumulation of fluids causes the tissue to be swollen. The swelling can take place in one specific area of the body and it usually results in particular health conditions, for example heart failure and kidney failure. The reason why it can cause heart failure is because the heart is incapable to push blood onwards efficiently and the pressure accumulates in the congested veins. This therefore causes a higher capillary pressure, thus it is larger than the osmotic pressure of the plasma proteins which are attempting to return tissue fluid to the blood. As a result, there is a build-up of tissue fluid. From this and other health conditions, oedema can cause the following symptoms: increase or decrease in weight, aching limbs, skin discolouration, increased pulse rate and blood pressure and rigid joints.
However, the most common cause of fluid accumulation in the body’s tissues is lymphedema. It takes place when the lymphatic system, the network of vessels through which lymph drains from tissues into the blood, is harmed or disturbed. So to sum it up, any illness that lowers the osmotic pressure of the plasma proteins in the blood can cause oedema, for example cirrhosis of the liver, alcoholism or malnutrition. Yet, this can be treated by getting self-help from the general practitioner or by taking diuretics. The general practitioner can therefore recommend particular ideas to decrease fluid retention, such as: obtaining frequent exercise avoid standing for lengthy times of the
M3- Discuss dysfunctions in relation to water balance and its possible treatments.
For P5 and M3, I am going to explain the dysfunctions that relate to the balance between water intake and the disturbance of water output. Then I am going to discuss it in more detail.
Oedema, also known as dropsy, is one of the dysfunctions and this is when there is too much fluid retention in the body. In other words, the accumulation of fluids causes the tissue to be swollen. The swelling can take place in one specific area of the body and it usually results in particular health conditions, for example heart failure and kidney failure. The reason why it can cause heart failure is because the heart is incapable to push blood onwards efficiently and the pressure accumulates in the congested veins. This therefore causes a higher capillary pressure, thus it is larger than the osmotic pressure of the plasma proteins which are attempting to return tissue fluid to the blood. As a result, there is a build-up of tissue fluid. From this and other health conditions, oedema can cause the following symptoms: increase or decrease in weight, aching limbs, skin discolouration, increased pulse rate and blood pressure and rigid joints.
However, the most common cause of fluid accumulation in the body’s tissues is lymphedema. It takes place when the lymphatic system, the network of vessels through which lymph drains from tissues into the blood, is harmed or disturbed. So to sum it up, any illness that lowers the osmotic pressure of the plasma proteins in the blood can cause oedema, for example cirrhosis of the liver, alcoholism or malnutrition. Yet, this can be treated by getting self-help from the general practitioner or by taking diuretics. The general practitioner can therefore recommend particular ideas to decrease fluid retention, such as: obtaining frequent exercise avoid standing for lengthy times of the
References: 1. NHS (2012) Causes of chronic kidney disease http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Kidney-disease-chronic/Pages/Causes.aspx 2. NHS (2013) Causes of dehydration http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dehydration/Pages/Causes.aspx 3. NHS (2014) Kidney Transplant http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Kidney-transplant/Pages/Introduction.aspx 4. NHS (2014) Risks of a kidney transplant http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Kidney-transplant/Pages/Risks.aspx 5. Parsons, R (2009) AS & A2 Biology, Exam Board: OCR, Newcastle upon Tyne: Elanders Hindson Limited 6. Stretch, B and Whitehouse, M (2010), Health and Social Care, Level 3, Book 2, BTEC National, Essex: Edinburgh Gate