Edema

Water Retention

Edema (BE: oedema, formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy) is swelling of any organ or tissue due to accumulation of excess fluid, without an increase of the number of cells in the affected tissue. Principles Edema is the increase of [intracellular fluid] (ICF) in any organ. Generally, the amount of ICF is in balance. Increased secretion of fluid into the interstitium or impaired removal of this fluid may be associated with edema. Mechanisms causing increased secretion are inflammation, i ...