Dropsy
Dropsy
Dropsy (/'drɒpsi/), also known as Edema or Oedema, is a medical condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues or cavities. The term "dropsy" is derived from the Old English "drop", meaning "to fall", and the Greek "hydrops", meaning "water".
Etymology
The term "dropsy" comes from the Old English "drop", which means "to fall", and the Greek word "hydrops", which means "water". This is in reference to the fluid that falls or accumulates in the body's tissues or cavities in this condition.
Symptoms
The main symptom of dropsy is swelling in the affected areas, which can include the legs, ankles, feet, and/or hands. This swelling is due to the accumulation of fluid. Other symptoms can include weight gain, puffiness, bloating, and shortness of breath.
Causes
Dropsy can be caused by a variety of conditions, including heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, and certain medications. It can also be a symptom of other medical conditions, such as pregnancy, menstruation, and malnutrition.
Treatment
Treatment for dropsy typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the fluid accumulation. This can include medications to help the body get rid of excess fluid, lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications, and in some cases, surgery.
Related Terms
- Edema: Another term for dropsy, more commonly used in modern medical terminology.
- Ascites: A condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, often associated with liver disease.
- Anasarca: A severe form of edema that involves the whole body.
- Hydrops fetalis: A severe form of edema that occurs in a fetus or newborn.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dropsy
- Wikipedia's article - Dropsy
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski