How does a capillary leak syndrome episode affect my body?
How does a capillary leak syndrome episode affect my body?
There are three stages to a capillary leak syndrome episode:
- Prodromal phase: This phase occurs one to two days before the attack. You may start experiencing symptoms, such as fatigue, thirst and sudden weight gain.
- Leak or resuscitation phase: This phase occurs during the attack. Fluids and albumin (protein found in blood plasma) leak from your capillaries into your tissue spaces. The flow of blood that carries oxygen to your tissues slows. Your blood pressure falls, and your red blood cells build up. The leakage results in hypovolemia, when the volume of blood in your body decreases.
- Post-leak phase or recruitment phase: This phase occurs after the attack. Your capillaries reabsorb fluids and albumin from your tissues, causing a fluid overload. As a result, your body could develop too much urine (polyuria) and fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema).