Final answer:
Cerebral edema is the excess accumulation of fluid in the brain's tissue, which leads to increased pressure inside the skull and can result from conditions like hydrocephalus, hemorrhagic stroke, or encephalitis. Systemic edema affects other body parts and is often indicative of underlying health problems. Tests like "pitting" can detect the presence of edema.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cerebral Edema Definition
Cerebral edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in the brain tissue, leading to increased intracranial pressure. Conditions like hydrocephalus, where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the ventricles due to a blockage, can cause swelling as the fluid increases the pressure against the brain and skull. This condition can result in serious consequences including seizures, cognitive issues, and potentially death if not treated appropriately with interventions such as the surgical insertion of a shunt. Another cause of cerebral edema can be a hemorrhagic stroke, where bleeding inside the brain creates high pressure, leading to the damage of brain tissue and compromised blood flow. Similarly, encephalitis, a brain infection, can also lead to swelling of brain tissue and increased intracranial pressure. Systemic edema can cause swelling in other parts of the body and is usually a sign of underlying medical issues.
Physiological Causes of Edema
The physiological causes of edema involve water leaking from blood vessels into surrounding tissues. Reasons for such leakage include underlying medical conditions, use of certain medications, physical injury, allergic reactions, and in some cases, pregnancy. A quick method to check for edema is the "pitting" test, where persistent depression in the skin after pressing indicates fluid accumulation in the tissue.