HealthAugust 17, 2026
oedema
ih-DEE-muh
Definition
A condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues, typically causing swelling in the affected area.
Etymology
The word comes from the Greek word 'oidēma,' meaning 'a swelling,' which is derived from 'oidein,' meaning 'to swell.'
In the news
In the article, doctors identified swelling of the ankles as a key symptom of Ebola, using the medical term oedema to describe this early indicator of severe infection.
The Ebola crisis is the deadliest in Congo’s history – this expert knows what’s next
Read the full article ↗The Independent