About Water Retention | How to get rid of water retention?

What is Water Retention?

Water retention (Fluid Retention) or edema is a metabolic disorder involving the accumulation of water or other substances in the body .Normally these accumulations occur in the legs, abdomen or hands. Sometimes these deductions cause swelling in the ankles which should be adequately controlled because it can be a sign that we are in a case of heart failure. It is also quite common for the face or eyes presented retention in which case appear swollen.

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Symptoms of Water Retention:

The main symptoms of fluid retention include the following:
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs by stagnation of liquids
- Swelling of the ankles
- Swollen legs
- Swollen abdomen
- General swelling.

What causes water retention?

Among the physical causes that can cause fluid accumulation in the body are:

- Changes in the lymphatic vessels: The lymphatic vessels cannot transport lymph and excess fluids. This can occur due to genetic problems or infections. It is also usual after certain operations or treatments for cancer by chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

- Pregnancy. Pregnancy is one of the causes that can cause swelling to produce hormonal changes that affect fluid exchange.

- Menopause: Menopause is another cause that produces many times the retention for hormonal reasons.

- Obesity: Being overweight may be responsible for this disorder.

- Age: The age causes a loss of elasticity of blood vessels and a decreased ability of the kidneys and liver to eliminate waste substances. All this leads to an accumulation of fluids in the body. This is often the reason why older people have very heavy legs.

- Heart Failure: Responsible often symptom swollen ankles or swollen abdomen. The legs and feet have very characteristic swelling in right heart failure, while the left heart failure is responsible for pulmonary edema.

- Hepatic impairment (Liver Disease): This is responsible for a lack of fluid removal usually produces a state of body swelling, especially when the disease is severe, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, called ascites.

- Renal failure: The inability of the kidneys to remove excess fluids and body salts can be responsible for a general swelling in the body or fluid accumulation in the legs and ankles.

- Varicose veins: They are responsible sometimes slightly marked swelling of the ankles and a general heaviness in the legs. The cause is the lack of strength of varicose veins to push blood return.

- Inflammation or inflammatory disease: Inflammation caused by blows, sprains, operations, etc., or inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or gout can cause edema by increasing the amount of blood to the affected area.

- Tumors: Tumors can alter the movement by pressing the adjacent blood vessels and cause edema.- Venous insufficiency: blood is retained in the legs by the ineffectiveness of the leg veins in returning blood to the heart. This produces an accumulation of fluid in the legs with the corresponding swelling, heaviness and pain.

- Thrombosis in the leg: The thrombus in the vessels of the leg may be responsible for these symptoms.
Among the main physical activities that can cause fluid accumulation are:

- Jobs that require many hours standing: Certain jobs that require standing for long time are most often responsible for the swelling and leg pain. (Waiters, teachers, receptionists, etc.)

- Sitting for long hours: Sitting for long hours causes similar symptoms. This is especially true for those who made long journeys in vehicles that require sitting in very small spaces (plane, bus, etc.)

Other causes of fluid retention are:

Wearing the wrong dress, too tight to the body can decrease the blood stream, promoting fluid retention.
Certain medications can produce the same results. Among these are antidepressants, drugs to lower blood pressure or certain hormonal treatments.

Heat or high humidity cause vasodilation in blood vessels and lead the passage of liquids to the body tissues too. This is the reason why on cloudy days or very hot legs feel heavy.
Salt intake is responsible for increasing fluid since the body tends to neutralize the sodium retaining fluid.
Poor nutrition with little amount of proteins or malabsorption of them can raise the level of liquids retained in the body.

Water Retention during pregnancy:

At least 50% of women suffer at some time, especially during the third quarter. Because of the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy is often manifested by a slight swelling of the ankles and feet. Not very disturbing, but it is advisable to discuss it with the gynecologist. If the swelling is excessive and is extended to the area of the hands and face, must see a doctor.

How to get rid of water retention?

Drink plenty of water:

The more water you drink, you can more easily expel excess fluids. The recommendation is to drink a liter and a half to two liters a day. You can also consume juices and teas. To help remove accumulated fluids during the night, drink a glass of water right when you wake up. This is especially for fluid retention during pregnancy.

Do exercise:

Perform activities that involve moving the legs, such as walking, swimming, cycling, climbing stairs, etc. This makes the kidneys work.

Make a diet:

A diet rich in protein prevents fluid retention, because after the ingestion of food containing them, the liver produces albumin, necessary fluids do not accumulate in tissues substance.

Your diet should also be rich in vegetables, fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates (rice) and generally rich in potassium foods such as bananas. Among the most recommended vegetables they are: potatoes, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus, and eggplant.

The hours needed rest:

Rest is essential to avoid the problem of water retention. Sleep eight hours at night and an hour after eating. If retention is accumulated in the lower limbs, lie and raises the foot, at least one hour in the afternoon. Do not wear tight clothes, shoes or socks.

Get in the water:

Get in the sea, the pool or bathtub and once inside, move the legs for the muscles to pump the liquid into the bladder. The pressure of the water facilitates the expulsion through the urine.

Herbs and vegetables diuretics:

There are many herbs and vegetables diuretic effect , including the most effective are infusions of parsley, olive leaves, hibiscus, juniper leek broth, horsetail, cucumber and fresh asparagus. You can try these natural diuretics to reduce water retention.