
drop'-si (hudropikos, "a man afflicted with hudrops or dropsy"): Both forms of this disease occur in Palestine, that in which the limbs and body are distended with water called anasarca, depending generally on cardiac or renal disease, and the form confined to the abdomen, usually the result of liver infection.
What causes dropsy in humans?
- Congestive Cardiac Failure.
- Liver Cirrhosis.
- Kidney Dysfunctions.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Is dropsy fatal in humans?
Since the mid-nineteenth century, dropsy has been recognized as a sign of underlying disease of the heart, liver, or kidneys, or of malnutrition. Untreated dropsy was, eventually, always fatal. The major underlying causes of dropsy are congestive heart failure, liver failure, kidney failure, and malnutrition. Where did the word dropsy come from?
What are four general causes of edema?
Some other possible causes of edema include:
- Prolonged immobility: People who are immobile for a long time can develop edema in their skin. ...
- High altitude: This, combined with physical exertion, can increase the risk of edema. ...
- Burns and sunburn: The skin reacts to burns by retaining fluid. ...
- Infection or inflammation: Any tissue that is infected or inflamed can become swollen. ...
What does the name dropsy mean?
See additional information. Dropsy: An old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water. In years gone by, a person might have been said to have dropsy. Today one would be more descriptive and specify the cause.

What causes the disease dropsy?
The major underlying causes of dropsy are congestive heart failure, liver failure, kidney failure, and malnutrition.
What was dropsy in the 1800s?
'Dropsy' is the archaic term for 'oedema', a swelling under the skin which can be caused by a number of health condition including kidney disease, heart failure, liver disease, chronic lung disease, malnutrition and pregnancy.
What is dropsy and what are the symptoms?
What is “dropsy?” Well, to start off, “dropsy” is NOT a disease. Dropsy in fish describes a condition where a fish's body balloons outward and their scales start to stick out, looking like a pinecone. This syndrome is caused by excess water in the body cavity or coelom.
How was dropsy treated?
The treatment of dropsy, which centered on augmenting secretions (diaphoretics, purgatives) or mechanical removal of body fluids (bleeding, leeching, lancing), remained a frustrating and chancy undertaking for much of the time that medicine has had to deal with it.
What was the main cause of death in 1883?
Chief among them was Cholera, known as the “Scourge of the Trail.” Dysentery and Typhoid were often lumped together with, as all three diseases spread through unsanitary conditions. This made each highly contagious during the rough & dirty travel of 1883's time.
What is the modern term for dropsy?
Edema, also spelled oedema, and also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected.
Does dropsy go away?
Dropsy is not easily cured. Treatment is geared toward correcting the underlying problem and providing supportive care to the sick fish. A broad spectrum antibiotic specifically formulated for gram-negative bacteria is recommended, like Mardel Maracyn® 2. Always follow directions for duration and dosage.
Is dropsy disease contagious?
First, dropsy is not contagious. However, if one fish does become affected, other fish in the same fish aquarium — particularly those of the same species — could also be at risk. In such cases, the fish become affected one by one, until there's no more of that species left (or the causative issue gets resolved).
How long does dropsy last?
Most often a fish with dropsy dies. Perhaps not immediately, but within several months. Indeed, in instances where dropsy is caused by internal infections, the bloating will disappear for a time, only to return a bit later with a vengeance.
What does death by dropsy mean?
dropsy > Dropsy, swelling caused by a fluid buildup, is a symptom of kidney disease or congestive heart failure and can affect the lower exterminates, abdomen, or chest cavity.
Can dropsy affect humans?
Some people also experience edema during pregnancy. Dropsy can also be caused by problems in specific organs, such as liver disease or pancreatitis. As so many conditions cause swelling as a symptom, dropsy affected a huge variety of people.
Can dropsy be caused by stress?
If left alone, stress can lead to serious and possibly fatal diseases like Dropsy and Fin Rot. First, you should try to determine what is stressing your fish, and eliminate that cause. You can do this by testing the water and examining your fish's behavior.
What was dropsy in the old days?
Background: Dropsy was a term used to describe generalized swelling and was synonymous with heart failure. Its treatment options were scanty and were aimed to cause "emptying of the system" or to relieve fluid retention. These remedies were rudimentary, erratic in action, and associated with inconvenient side effects.
Why was edema called dropsy?
Dropsy: An old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water. In years gone by, a person might have been said to have dropsy. Today one would be more descriptive and specify the cause. Thus, the person might have edema due to congestive heart failure.
What was the most common cause of death in the 1800s?
Very many people still died of infectious diseases, esp. of tubercolosis, typhoid fever, diphtheria, pertussis, scarlet fever and other infectious diseases. There were many cases of bronchitis and deadly pneumonia. Even suicide was an important cause of death.
What was dropsy in the Bible?
According to the Gospel, one Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, and he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy, i.e. abnormal swelling of his body.
Where did the dropesie come from?
The Middle English dropesie came through the Old French hydropsie from the Greek hydrops which in turn came from the Greek "hydro" meaning water.
What is the term for swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water?
Dropsy: An old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water. In years gone by, a person might have been said to have dropsy. Today one would be more descriptive and specify the cause. Thus, the person might have edema due to congestive heart failure.
What is Dropsy?
Dropsy is an old word for edema, which is a condition where there is accumulation of fluid in the body (beneath the skin, body cavities, interstitial spaces) leading to its swelling. Any part of organ of the body can be affected by dropsy; however, it is more commonly seen in the ankles, feet and legs.
What is the treatment for dropsy?
Treatment for dropsy in humans depends on its underlying cause and consists of medications, such as diuretics and antihypertensives. Dropsy need not always be from a serious problem and many of the times home treatment is sufficient to relieve it. Advertisement.
What are the different types of dropsy?
Depending on the site of the fluid retention, there are different types of dropsy, such as peripheral edema, ascites , pulmonary edema and pleural effusion. Advertisement. There are different causes for dropsy. Some of them are physiological whereas some are pathological.
What is it called when you have a lot of fluid in your lungs?
Pulmonary Edema: If there is accumulation of excessive fluid in the interstitial spaces present between the alveoli of the lung, then it is known as pulmonary edema. Periorbital Edema: Periorbital puffiness or edema is a condition where a person has swelling around the eyes seen after waking up in the morning.
What kind of condition is dropsy?
Swelling: Dropsy is an older term for swelling, which represents salt and water retention and which may occur in the lungs and/or legs. It is most commonly a r... Read More
What is dropsy?
Old term 4 anasarca.: Dropsy is an old english term for the swelling noted in right heart failure (anasarca is the greek word for it).
What are the tests for dropsy?
Clinical diagnosis: Dropsy, excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues is a clinic al diagnosis. If you press the skin, on a bone, with your thumb for about 30 second... Read More
What does "dropsy" mean?
Old term: Dropsy is an outdated term that means swelling of the soft tissues. Probably equivalent to the term edema used today. Edema can be from heart failur ... Read More
What causes dropsy in the body?
Depends on cause: Dropsy is a general term for widespread accumulation of fluid/water in tissues. The common causes are heart failure, low blood protein due to kidney ... Read More
What is a clinical diagnosis of dropsy?
Clinical diagnosis: Dropsy, excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues is a clinical diagnosis. If you press the skin, on a bone, with your thumb for about 30 second ... Read More
Can you have chf if you have dropsy?
Dropsy: Dropsy is an old term for edema or swelling. So yes if you have chf.
What is Dropsy Disease?
Dropsy is the swelling of soft tissue in the fish’s body cavity. This swelling is caused by the accumulation of fluids in the fish.
How to treat dropsy fish?
Although the disease is not always contagious, you don’t want to take the chance of infecting the other fish in your aquarium. Change the water in the original fish tank right away and monitor your other fish for symptoms. Keep the temperature of the hospital tank as similar to the fish’s original tank as possible so as to not increase stress in the already infected fish.
What is the bacteria that causes dropsy in fish?
The bacteria that causes dropsy is called Aeromonas and is commonly found in most freshwater fish tanks. Fish are therefore always exposed to the bacteria, but it will only lead to a serious infection in a fish that already has a compromised immune system. Aeromonas bacterium is a “gram-negative” bacteria because it can be identified ...
How to tell if a fish has dropsy?
However, if your fish gets too far into this stage, it may be more difficult to treat dropsy as the swollen belly may indicate that your fish’s internal organs are damaged.
Why do goldfish get dropsy?
Fish dropsy is usually caused by a number of other symptoms that end up compromising a fish’s immune system.
Do fish have diseases?
Unfortunately, there are so many fish diseases that you must keep track of, and the bacteria that cause these diseases can occasionally sneak into your tank, even with diligent care .
What causes fish dropsy?
Name: Fish Dropsy. Scientific Name: Depends on what caused it. It’s a secondary symptom. Cause: Usually caused by a virus, bacterial infection or parasite. Visual Betta Symptoms: Extreme body swelling/bloat in stomach and pineconing of scales. Behavioral Betta Symptoms: Lack of appetite, lethargic, bottom-dwelling, darting to surface for oxygen, ...
Why do bettas get dropsy?
liver). It is caused by internal swelling from fluid building up and placing pressure against the body and abdominal area . Aging bettas are also more prone to kidney failure and other viral bacterial and parasitic infections, which increases their risk for dropsy.
How to tell if your betta is droppingsy?
This is different than overfeeding and constipation bloat. Dropsy is easily identified by looking down on your betta from above. Other symptoms include virtually non-existent appetites, extreme lethargy, darting to the surface and gasping for air, and color loss.
How to treat betta fish for dropsy?
Follow the instructions below to treat your betta fish for dropsy: Perform a 25% water change. Prepare a quarantine or hospital tank. Add a heater with a built in thermostat and keep it at around 78 degrees fahrenheit. Keep the water level lower than normal to make it easy for your betta to surface for oxygen.
What to do when you have a drop in the hospital?
Sometimes all you can do is wait, I know that’s tough. Keep the hospital tank clean, and heated, and consider using a medication specifically to treat dropsy.
Is betta fish dropsy?
Betta Fish Dropsy Outlook: Usually fatal. Dropsy in betta fish is not a disease itself, but rather a secondary symptom of another problem going on internally. Think of this like when you have an infected cut, and a secondary symptom of the cut can be warm skin or swelling surrounding the cut. Chances for survival are more common with less severe ...
Can you use Dropsy medicine in a hospital tank?
Dropsy Medicine/Antibiotic. Note that you can administer treatment in a main tank if you don’t have live plants or tank mates. If you go this route, you will need to perform daily water changes because of medication levels, depleted oxygen, and nitrogen cycle disruptions. Therefore hospital tanks are recommended.
Overview
Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body's tissues. Although edema can affect any part of your body, you may notice it more in your hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs.
Symptoms
Swelling of the foot, ankle and leg can be severe enough to leave an indentation (pit) when you press on the area. This swelling (edema) is the result of excess fluid in your tissues — often caused by congestive heart failure or blockage in a leg vein.
Causes
Edema occurs when tiny blood vessels in your body (capillaries) leak fluid. The fluid builds up in surrounding tissues, leading to swelling.
Risk factors
If you are pregnant, your body retains more sodium and water than usual due to the fluid needed by the fetus and placenta. This can increase your risk of developing edema.
Complications
Longo DL, et al., eds. Edema. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2015. http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Aug. 25, 2017.
