Intravascular Fluid

The fluid space within the blood vessels is made up of blood cells and serum (water, clotting factors, chemicals, and electrolytes).

• Dehydration, the loss of water, decreases the total volume in the intravascular space (inside the blood vessels). This can be seen in any illness with increased water loss. Vomiting and diarrhea are visible signs of water loss.
   
  • Patients with pneumonia or urinary tract infections, especially the elderly, are susceptible to dehydration.
    
    
  • Burn victims can lose significant amounts of fluid from their burns.
  
  
• Bleeding decreases the number of red blood cells in the blood stream and leads to a decreased amount of fluid in the intravascular space and low blood pressure.