Home Dental treatment Consequences of excess iodine in the body: identification and elimination. All about iodine in human life What does an excess of iodine in the body lead to?

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Consequences of excess iodine in the body: identification and elimination. All about iodine in human life What does an excess of iodine in the body lead to?

Iodine is a vital microelement for every person. First of all, it is needed for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Therefore, with a decrease or, conversely, an excess of iodine in the body, its work changes, or rather, its synthesis of thyroid hormones is disrupted.

The daily iodine intake should not exceed 150 mcg. This norm is slightly higher for pregnant and lactating women: up to 175-200 mcg/day. For children, the norm is calculated based on age.

In laboratory conditions, it was confirmed that iodine intake up to 500-1000 mcg/day for a long time does not lead to changes in the functioning of the thyroid gland. Consumption of more than 1000 mcg/day often causes the development of iodine-induced diseases. This is a fairly large group of thyroid diseases that are accompanied by the development of hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

Consuming large amounts of iodine at once is extremely unsafe for humans.

Iodine poisoning is called iodism. More often, people engaged in production using iodine suffer from excess iodine in the body.

Iodism can develop from inhalation of iodine vapor, with prolonged use of iodine preparations, with increased sensitivity to iodine or its individual intolerance.

Symptoms of excess iodine in the body.

Iodine poisoning can be acute or chronic.

Acute disease develops when a large dose of iodine is received in a short period of time. Chronic poisoning can develop over years, giving a blurred clinical picture.

As a result of acute poisoning, acute heart failure and pulmonary edema may develop, which directly threaten the patient’s life. However, these conditions are extremely rare. More often, the main symptoms of excess iodine are irritation of the mucous membranes or skin.

Symptoms of excess iodine:

Irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which is manifested by coughing, tickling, and the presence of mucous discharge from the nose.
Irritation of the conjunctiva: lacrimation, redness of the eyes. In some cases, the inflammatory process may be delayed. Chronic blepharitis, conjunctivitis, less often cataracts, damage to the optic nerve are formed, and vision decreases over time.
Drooling as a result of irritation and swelling of the salivary glands.
Skin lesions caused by excess iodine are called iododerma. More often found on the skin of the face, neck, and limbs. Manifests itself in the form of acne, accompanied by itching or burning. Acne elements tend to merge. After this, soft, painful formations of blue-purple color up to 3 cm in diameter are formed. Also, skin damage can be in the form of urticaria, a type of erysipelas. One of the most severe forms of skin damage due to excess iodine in the body is the nodular form of iododerma. Skin contact with iodine in the form of crystals may cause burns or dermatitis. The burns are quite deep. In some cases, ulcerative defects that are difficult to heal are formed.

More rare symptoms of excess iodine:

Metallic taste in the mouth;

Specific odor from the mouth and staining of the oral mucosa;

Dizziness, headache;

Retardation of consciousness;

Damage to the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea and, as a consequence, weight loss, cramps, general weakness;

Toxic hepatitis with the following symptoms: pain in the right hypochondrium, yellowness of the skin and mucous membranes;

Damage to the respiratory tract in any part: tracheitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, etc.;

Kidney damage;

Weakening of the body's defenses and, as a result, frequent acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia, etc.

Diagnosis of excess iodine.

Diagnosis is simple and is based on a carefully collected history. Iodine poisoning often occurs in people working in enterprises associated with the production and extraction of iodine, as a result of which such poisoning can be collective in nature.

If excess iodine is suspected, its level in the blood and urine is determined.

Treatment of excess iodine in the body.

In case of acute poisoning, the skin is cleaned and the stomach is lavaged with a 5% solution of sodium thiosulfate.

In case of chronic iodine poisoning, the mechanism of iodine entry into the body is eliminated (consumption with food, work in hazardous industries).

In parallel, therapy is carried out aimed at correcting the functioning of the thyroid gland, as well as other organs and systems.

If water-electrolyte metabolism is disrupted, infusion therapy is performed.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Iodine is one of the most important microelements for ensuring normal human life. It plays a major role in the functioning of the thyroid gland. A change in its content level up or down has a provoking effect on the development of various diseases.

A little about iodine and its importance for humans

The discovery of iodine occurred in 1811, and already in 1820 it began to be used in medical practice.

Under natural conditions, iodine is part of inorganic and organic compounds; in a free state it is present in the air, and penetrates into water and soil with precipitation. Iodine is found in all plants in varying quantities, and some seaweeds are capable of concentrating it. It is extracted from seaweed and Chilean saltpeter.

Iodine enters the human body in the form of iodide salts when ingesting food and water. In the body, iodide salts mostly dissociate, releasing iodine, which subsequently forms an organic compound - diiodotyrosine, and under the influence of thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine is formed.

The thyroid gland accumulates the largest amount of iodine - approximately 15 mg, while the total amount present in the body is approximately 25 mg. A smaller part of it is “stored” in the liver, skin, kidneys, ovaries, prostate gland and other organs and tissues.

In its inorganic form, iodine is evenly concentrated in plasma and red blood cells.

The hormone thyroxine influences metabolic processes and functional actions of the nervous system.

For normal functioning of the body, daily iodine intake should not exceed 150 mcg. For breastfeeding and pregnant women, this figure is slightly higher and 175-200 mcg per day is considered acceptable. For children, daily iodine intake is calculated depending on age.

Research has established that with a long-term daily intake of up to 500-1000 mcg of iodine in the body, significant changes in the functions of the thyroid gland do not occur. But exceeding 1000 mcg per day provokes iodine-induced diseases.

When iodine levels increase, hyperthyroidism occurs. There is no pronounced enlargement of the thyroid gland, but there are prerequisites for the development of Graves' disease, exophthalmos and tachycardia.

Causes and manifestations of excess iodine

Iodine itself is a toxic element. And iodine poisoning can lead to death, resulting from shock from extensive damage to nerve endings, pulmonary edema and heart failure.

Excess iodine or poisoning with it can be acute or chronic. Acute poisoning is the result of a one-time large increase in iodine concentration over a short period of time. Chronic iodine poisoning occurs when iodine is constantly entering the body in significant quantities. Iodine poisoning (iodism) is often the result of occupational factors.

Excess iodine can occur through inhalation of iodine vapor, long-term treatment with iodine-containing medications, or as a result of increased sensitivity of the body. Individual intolerance can also become a source of iodine poisoning.

The main symptoms of excess iodine in the body are mucous discharge from the nose, soreness and cough, irritation of the conjunctiva in the form of red eyes and watery eyes. Conjunctivitis and blepharitis often develop, and sometimes damage to the optic nerve occurs with decreased vision.

With an excess of iodine, skin lesions occur on the face, neck, and limbs in the form of acne, with burning and itching. Moreover, the rashes often merge, forming painful areas. Skin lesions with excess iodine can be expressed as erysipelas or urticaria.

Direct contact with iodine causes dermatitis or dermatitis, deep and difficult to heal.

Excess iodine can cause a specific metallic taste and odor from the mouth, while the oral mucosa is colored yellowish.

Often there is a headache and dizziness, disturbances in the throat in the form of burning and pain, hoarseness. Excess iodine can provoke such disorders as mental retardation, constant thirst, weakness, and convulsions. Sometimes iodine poisoning causes disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, manifested by diarrhea and, as a consequence, weight loss.

The result of excess iodine is sometimes toxic hepatitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, impaired renal function, decreased immunity with all the ensuing consequences.

Diagnosis of excess iodine is to determine its level in urine and blood.

Treatment of excess iodine

Excess iodine is corrected primarily by removing the source of saturation.

Acute iodine poisoning requires gastric lavage with sodium thiosulfate solution and cleansing of the skin.

At the same time, therapeutic methods are used to correct the functionality of the thyroid gland and other organs and systems. In case of disturbance of water-electrolyte metabolism, infusion therapy is used.

Sometimes radiation or surgery is used to reduce the activity of the thyroid gland.

Prevention of iodine poisoning is to reduce the influence of provoking factors and its accumulation in the body. It may be necessary to change jobs, change your diet, or take other measures to reduce iodine intake.

In order for the human body to function perfectly, nature takes care of the balance of all nutrients. If there is a deficiency or excess of any microelement, the body signals violations and the development of diseases. An excess of iodine has a negative effect on the functioning of the human body.

The substance stabilizes the functions of the thyroid gland and the level of hormones in the gland, therefore, when the body is oversaturated with a microelement, the functioning of the internal secretion organ is disrupted. Rapid breakdown of fats and increased production of hormones begins. Heat exchange is disrupted, immunity is reduced, and chronic poisoning with the substance—iodism—develops.

Iodine poisoning can be identified by symptoms:

swelling of the neck;
thirst;
vomiting, nausea;
breathing problems;
loss of pigment in some areas of the skin;
the appearance of low-grade fever;
hot flash.

When there is an excess, the eyeballs often suffer - they can protrude, exophthalmos and Graves' disease develop. Among intoxications, the signs of iodine poisoning are difficult to miss. Poisoning with iodine vapor causes lacrimation, rapid breathing, dryness and pain in the larynx. The vocal cords become inflamed, a hoarse voice appears, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the peritoneum. An excess of the chemical element in the human body has a negative effect on blood vessels and the heart.

In men

An excess of the substance in the male body provokes hormone disruption and the development of hyperthyroidism. There is a large concentration of thyroid-stimulating compounds in the body. In men, the central nervous system, heart, blood vessels, and peripheral nerves are affected. As a result, we observe:

tachycardia;
myocardial damage;
hypertension;
atrial fibrillation.

A characteristic sign of an excess of the substance in a man’s body is a decrease in potency. Due to hormonal imbalance, sexual dysfunction develops and erection disappears. A man is unable to have sexual intercourse and conceive a child.

Among women

In addition to damage to the nervous system and heart, women also suffer from hyperthyroidism. The activity of the thyroid gland increases, which leads to significant disturbances in menstrual regulation, decreased libido, and increased concentration of thyroid-stimulating substances in the body. The metabolism of substances accelerates, which has an extremely negative effect on the course of pregnancy.

An overdose of iodine provokes miscarriage and premature delivery in a pregnant woman. Damage to the central nervous system of the fetus and the development of abnormalities in the embryo are possible.

In children and adolescents

For a child, the norm is calculated individually and depends on age. When there is an excess of microelement in children, a sore throat and irritation of the mucous membranes begin. The eyes are especially affected - conjunctivitis or blepharitis begins. Later, a pathological process, cataract, is formed.

If you are poisoned by iodine, symptoms of poisoning appear after a few minutes. In severe cases, children experience:

increased lacrimation;
skin rash;
labored breathing;
elevated temperature;
metallic taste;
ulcers of the oral mucosa;
discomfort and pain in the nasopharynx;
general weakness;
dizziness.

If you show signs of feeling unwell, you should call a doctor. The child must be taken to a hospital, where qualified medical care will be provided. You can avoid a critical condition by strictly observing the dosage of iodine-containing medications. Symptoms of iodine poisoning are treated in a hospital.

How to independently determine whether there is excess iodine in the body

Normal daily requirement for iodine mcg/day:

children under one year old - 90
children from 2 to 6 years old - 110 -130
children from 7 to 12 years old - 130 -150
teenagers and adults 150 – 200
pregnant and lactating women 250 – 300

These methods are not considered very accurate and are not recognized by official medicine. Options can be classified as traditional medicine. Doctors are skeptical about this test, believing that the dependence of iodine absorption into the skin is in no way related to the lack of this microelement and has not been scientifically proven. The physiology and characteristics of all people are different, and as a result, this kind of analysis cannot be an indicator of excess, or in the body.

Determining the amount of a component using a test:

Apply iodine mesh to the body area in the evening.
Leave the drawing overnight.
In the morning, evaluate the absorption of iodine on the skin.

If in the morning the mesh becomes lighter and is absorbed by half, then the body has enough microelement. If the pattern is barely noticeable on the skin and is completely absorbed, then the body lacks the substance. If there is an excess, the iodine mesh will remain bright and clearly visible.

Since the body is especially active during the daytime, this test should also be performed during waking hours. The mesh can be applied during the day on the inside of the forearm. The pattern should be monitored throughout the day.

Another test is more accurate:

Apply three iodine strips of varying widths to the inside of the forearm.

If in the morning there is no thin strip, the middle one has lightened, and the third thick stripe has not changed, then iodine is within normal limits.

An excess of a microelement is more dangerous than a deficiency. If you suspect iodism, you should contact an endocrinologist and undergo an examination. It is necessary to take tests for the content of thyroid-stimulating hormones and perform an ultrasound of the thyroid gland.

Hyperthyroidism

With an excess of iodine, the thyroid gland begins to work very hard. The endocrine system produces more thyroid-stimulating hormones, which leads to hormonal disorders. It is the enhanced synthesis of hormonal substances that provokes excess iodine in the body. Hyperthyroidism develops, which can be stopped only at the initial stage.

The disease can cause overgrowth of the thyroid gland and the appearance of a goiter, protrusion of the eyeballs, deterioration of memory and concentration. It is accompanied by insomnia, nervous breakdowns, cardiac arrhythmias and tachycardia.

Graves' disease

Another disease that is caused by an excess of microelement is Graves' disease. A characteristic feature of the disease is the development of exophthalmos. The eyes become large and wide open, the apples of the visual organ emerge from their sockets. The mucous membrane of the eyes dries out, and vision deteriorates.

The disease is accompanied by various disorders of the central nervous and endocrine systems. Psychosis, insomnia, and depression develop.

How to remove iodine from the body

If a trace element is present in the body in large volumes, it can be removed using traditional methods, medications and diet. How much iodine is removed from the body, it is better to consult with doctors. Each case is individual.

Traditional methods

Among the most effective recipes:

Drinking a decoction of strawberry leaves. Vegetable raw materials (1 glass) are boiled for 7 minutes, infused and filtered. Use 1/3 cup.
You need to eat lentils, peanuts, and beans every day. This diet helps reduce iodine in the body and normalize thyroid function.
It is necessary to consume fermented milk products, which reduce the concentration of the substance.

Medications

In a critical situation, gastric lavage and gargling with sodium chloride solution are indicated. Typically, this measure is carried out in case of poisoning with a substance. Sorbents are taken orally, they help remove toxic compounds from the body.

In case of iodism, the doctor prescribes correction of hormone production. Special medications are selected by doctors, and the drug is taken according to indications. It is recommended to change your place of residence when living in environmentally polluted areas, since externally poor environmental conditions can provoke an excess of trace elements in the body.

What happens if you take iodine?

Is it possible to drink iodine liquid? When consuming iodine solution, severe burns of the esophagus and stomach are possible. Therefore, it is better not to experiment. What happens if you drink iodine with water? Symptoms of poisoning will appear.

What are the dangers of using iodine with milk?

Many people are interested in whether it is possible to use milk with iodine in the treatment of sore throat or in case of a lack of microelement in the body. No way, the endocrinologists will answer. An excess of iodine is much more dangerous than a deficiency. You may end up in intensive care. The lethal dose of iodine for humans is 2-3 grams (10-15 drops). Even when taking a small amount of a trace element, severe intoxication occurs.

What are the dangers of using iodine with sugar?

Sugar with iodine can also cause injury to the esophagus and digestive tract. A burn of the mucous membrane occurs. The temperature increases. The patient begins to suffer from nausea and vomiting, and a skin rash occurs. In a critical situation, a person is hospitalized.

Most endocrinologists believe that it is not worthwhile to replenish the body with iodine-containing drugs. The surest and safest way is to obtain microelements from food.

Iodine is a chemical element, the norm of which in the adult body is from 12 to 20 mg; if it is in excess, iodine poisoning can occur.

Beneficial features

According to the periodic table of Mendeleev, iodine belongs to the group of halogens. This is a chemically active non-metal, its atomic number is 53. The molecule of the substance is diatomic, the formula is I2. Iodine is a solid substance, its crystals are usually dark purple or black in color, with a specific odor reminiscent of chlorine.

Large amounts of it are found in ocean water, algae, and drilling waters from oil wells. The areas of application of this element are varied: pharmaceuticals, forensics, production of various equipment.

Why do humans need iodine?

This is an important element that affects the following processes in the body:

metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
energy metabolism, thermoregulation;
growth and development of the body (physical and neuropsychic);
the rate of absorption of certain vitamins;
synthesis of thyroid hormones.

The thyroid gland, cardiovascular system, and skeletal system may suffer from a lack of this element.

Iodine deficiency is dangerous to health

As a medicine in folk medicine, it is used for inhalation for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, as an antiseptic for inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat. For bronchopulmonary diseases and osteochondrosis, iodine mesh is often used. It is often used for the beauty of hair and nails and added to masks and creams. In most cases, an iodine solution for external use of 5-10% is used.

During pregnancy, iodine consumption increases, as it regulates the production of hormones, and the latter affect the course of pregnancy. If this substance is not supplied in the required quantity, thyroid gland pathologies occur in the fetus and in the woman. To get the required dose (about 200 mcg per day), you need to eat about 300 grams of sea fish every day. Organizing such a menu is quite problematic, so multivitamin complexes and nutritional supplements come to the rescue.

Iodine can enter the human body through food (meat, milk, greens, eggs, seafood), and in some cases, iodine-containing preparations can be prescribed by a doctor. It should be remembered that in addition to its benefits, iodine can cause harm. Frequent use has side effects: skin rash, bronchitis, runny nose, lacrimation, laryngitis.

Sources of iodine

The body's reaction to ingested iodine

You should not ingest solutions for external use to find out what happens if you drink iodine. Even in contact with the skin, this substance can cause severe burns.

When halogen enters the body, a burn occurs in the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. When poisoned by toxins, internal organs are affected, pathologies of the cardiovascular system and kidney failure develop.

Overdose symptoms

When a person drinks iodine, his temperature rises, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, diarrhea appear, and a characteristic brown coating appears on the tongue. In the area of the larynx and stomach there is a strong burning sensation, a dull pain in the abdomen.

With severe intoxication, complications arise in the form of edema, heart rhythm disturbances, urinary system disorders, severe thirst, hallucinations, and coma. These signs are characteristic of acute poisoning.

Doctors have such a concept as “iodism”, this is a chronic overdose in which gradual poisoning with iodine occurs. This disease can occur in workers in industries where halogens are used or during long-term treatment with iodine-containing drugs.

Daily iodine requirement

Symptoms of iodism include:

swelling;
iododerma (pathological formations on the skin caused by an excess of iodine);
dizziness, weakness;
elevated temperature;
toothache.

If you experience symptoms of halogen poisoning, it is important to see a doctor promptly, otherwise you could die. Intoxication leads to serious immunity disorders.

There are cases when some women, in order to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy, taking the advice of sorceresses and healers, took iodine. Severe uterine bleeding began, which often led not only to miscarriage, but also to the death of the woman herself.

Since this substance, like all halogens, is poisonous, the lethal dose of iodine is very small, 2 - 3 grams.

Iodine poisoning - iodism

Emergency care for poisoning

The first thing to do in case of iodine poisoning is to call a doctor. Before the ambulance arrives, you can use a soda solution. Add two teaspoons of soda to one glass. It is necessary to rinse your mouth with the solution and inhale its vapors. You can inhale the vapors of a solution of ammonia and water (two drops per glass), but under no circumstances take it orally.

If intoxication occurs after ingesting iodine, the stomach is washed. One or two glasses of warm water are given to the patient to drink and then vomiting is induced. When the water comes out clear after vomiting, you can carry out energy absorption (give activated carbon to drink in the amount of 1 tablet per 10 kg of the patient’s weight). For iodine poisoning, starch is a good antidote; you can dilute it in warm water and give it to the patient to drink.

Even if the measures taken at home have alleviated the patient’s condition, it is still necessary to consult a doctor. In the hospital, a number of activities are carried out to remove poison from the body:

gastric lavage;
intravenous fluids for dehydration;
sodium hyposulfite is administered intravenously;
if necessary, give pain relief;
in severe cases, hemodialysis is performed;
prescribe a diet.

Competent treatment helps to avoid complications.

Consequences of intoxication for the body

An overdose of iodine has a serious impact on the functioning of the entire body. In addition to the fact that this is a strong blow to the immune system, ulcerative pathologies and bleeding in the digestive system, narrowing of the esophagus, pneumonia, acute disorders of the cardiovascular system, pulmonary edema, damage to the central nervous system, coma, kidney failure, and allergic reactions may occur.

Signs of excess iodine in the body

Iodine is necessary to maintain balance in the human body, but its consumption should not be exceeded, and even more so, iodine preparations should not be used for other purposes. Iodine-containing medications should be used according to the recommendations given by the doctor. Otherwise, serious consequences are possible.

Video

Watch a useful video about iodine, symptoms of its deficiency and excess in the body.

Active participation in the work of many body systems, regulation of thyroid function, cell metabolism and even heat exchange.

Thanks to this “active halogen”, the stability of the immune system, as well as the psychological state of the patient, is ensured.

Yes, we are talking about ordinary iodine and its multiple benefits. But what if at one point there is a glut? How then will the increased iodine content affect the health of an adult/child?

There is an opinion that a deficiency of one or another element is a much more dangerous phenomenon than its slight excess.

But, as practice shows, increased concentration of iodine is extremely bordering on mortal danger for the entire body. And the reasons for this pathology are very banal:

unbalanced diet, in which foods containing iodine lead;
long-term residence on the sea coast;
individual intolerance to the element;
direct contact (oral consumption, overdose of iodine preparations, inhalation of iodine vapors).

ATTENTION! Very often, pathology is provoked by several factors at once. It is important to know and.

Consequences of excess

If the microelement level is truly elevated, then what does this pathology lead to?? In addition to the fact that the endocrine system suffers a real collapse...

rapid breakdown of fats/carbohydrates (as a result: weight loss, despite good nutrition, increasing portions consumed);
heat exchange disturbance;
failure of the cardiovascular system;
irritation of the mucous membrane/conjunctiva/salivary glands;
decreased immunity;
iododerma or skin lesions;
iodism (acute/chronic iodine poisoning);
development of Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism.

What are the dangers of using iodine with sugar?

As practice shows, this is a fairly common phenomenon not only in the “treasury” of traditional medicine recipes, but also among the ingenuity of schoolchildren who want to provoke an increase in body temperature in this way and skip classes. Pregnant women also sometimes experiment in order to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy by inducing an abortion at home.

But sugar and iodine are not a harmless combination, and what will happen if you eat a piece of such medicine will only be shown consequences in the form of severe poisoning, resuscitation and possible disability. After all, an artificial increase in body temperature is caused not by the mixture of sugar and iodine itself, but by a burn of the esophagus/stomach.

The patient will be lucky if the result of the experiment is only a rash, gastrointestinal upset, nausea/vomiting.

IMPORTANT! Unfortunately, often these same consequences are tragic, since the lethal dose of this element for a person is only three grams of solution. For a child's body, half of this dose will be enough. In the best case, the patient will survive, but his immunity will be impaired, and the thyroid gland will be completely disabled.

The main signs of excess

The signs of pathology are quite obvious, but often they can be attributed to the clinical picture of other diseases:

chronic inflammatory processes of the mucous membrane;
rash of various types, which is accompanied by severe itching/burning;
disruption of the gastrointestinal tract (prolonged diarrhea);
kidney dysfunction;
decreased immunity;
frequent diseases of the respiratory system;
toxic hepatitis;
chronic weakness, headaches, nausea, constant thirst, metallic taste in the mouth.

Iodism or poisoning

Iodine is vital for the entire body and its organs/systems. BUT! The optimal microelement concentration is very low:

Adult patients - about 150 micrograms
Children - 50-110 micrograms
Pregnant women - up to 200 micrograms.

Even a slight increase in these numbers will provoke hormonal imbalance, cardiac dysfunction, damage to the nervous/respiratory/digestive systems, as well as the musculoskeletal system.

Is it possible to get poisoned by this chemical element? Yes, you can. This phenomenon is called “iodism”. Moreover, often a person does not even suspect that the body has received a lethal dose of a microelement. After all, the symptoms and signs of iodine poisoning (sometimes even with drug vapors) are quite vague/general, and the consequences are often fatal and simply do not wait for treatment.

Therefore, you should not find out in practice what will happen if you drink iodine, not a lot, even a drop with water or sugar. After all, poisoning in the traditional sense of the word is the minimum price for such carelessness.