fluid on the elbow

My husband woke up a week ago with a swollen elbow.  It feels like there's fluid on the elbow and its twice the normal size.  

Only signed prior to this was that when he got out of bed in the morning and placed pressure on his elbow, it was sore/painful.  This has been going on for a few months.  

What is it and what can we do to get rid of the fluid?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

The symptoms that you have described here indicate that your husband may be having Bursitis. This is inflammation of the fluid layer under the skin and it leads to swelling, accumulation of fluid and tenderness.

The cause of this is the use of the elbow as a support mechanism while working and most commonly while thinking.

The treatment includes decrease use of the elbow as a support, hot fomentation, and pain killers for the pain.

If it does not improve with that, you may have to visit a doctor.