derrames

Derrame is a Portuguese noun that generally refers to the act or result of pouring out liquids. It is used in everyday language to describe spills or leaks, and in medical contexts it denotes the accumulation or escape of fluids within the body. In medical speech, derrame can refer to a hemorrhage or to a fluid accumulation in a body space, and it is often qualified with a site name, such as derrame pleural (pleural effusion) or derrame pericárdico (pericardial effusion). Colloquially, derrame cerebral is sometimes used to describe a stroke.

In environmental and industrial contexts, derrames describe accidental releases of liquids, including oil or chemicals, that can contaminate soil, water, and ecosystems. Preventive measures emphasize proper storage, secondary containment, and rapid containment and cleanup by trained personnel. Regulatory frameworks often require reporting of spills to authorities and adherence to cleanup standards to minimize environmental and public health impacts.

In medical usage, a derrame indicates fluid escape or accumulation and is not a diagnosis by itself. Symptoms vary by location: a derrame cerebral may cause sudden weakness, speech difficulties, or confusion; a derrame pleural can lead to chest pain and shortness of breath; a derrame pericárdico may cause chest discomfort and breathing difficulties. Diagnosis relies on imaging, laboratory tests, and clinical evaluation, with treatment aimed at addressing the underlying cause and stabilizing the patient. In suspected emergency cases, urgent medical care should be sought.

Derrame as a term spans everyday language, environmental safety, and medicine. Medical professionals use more precise terminology, while the word remains common in journalism and public discussions of spills and fluid accumulations.