What could internal edema be a result of?

Internal edema often results from fluid accumulation in various body tissues, including the lungs, which can occur in the aftermath of exposure to hazardous environments such as a fire. When hot gases are inhaled, they can cause irritation and damage to the lung tissue, leading to an inflammatory response. This inflammation increases the permeability of blood vessels, allowing fluid to leak into the lungs and surrounding tissues. Therefore, fluid absorption into the lungs due to hot gases serves as a direct mechanism for developing internal edema, as the lungs struggle to manage and process the influx of fluids.

Other options can contribute to broader physiological issues but are less directly connected to the specific condition of internal edema. For example, exposure to cold environments generally causes different physiological responses, primarily affecting circulation and peripheral tissues rather than causing fluid buildup internally. A lack of oxygen supply and insufficient fluid intake also represent significant health concerns, but they do not directly lead to the kind of localized edema that occurs in the lungs as a result of hot gas exposure. Thus, the mechanism of fluid accumulation due to hot gases effectively illustrates the way internal edema can arise in hazardous situations.