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Water retention is most often caused by an unbalanced diet that is high in s alt and provides insufficient fluid intake. Hormonal fluctuations also affect excess water in the body, which can be seen before menstruation. Sometimes, however, water retention in the body can also occur in the course of many diseases. Find out what causes water retention in your body.

Contents:

  1. Water retention in the body - causes
  2. Water retention in the body - what diseases can it indicate?

Water retention in the bodymost often manifests itself in the form of edema, which is the result of excessive leakage of water from the blood vessels and its accumulation in the tissues.Swellingsusually develop insidiously - weight gain at first, eyes swollen in the morning after waking up, and shoes feeling tight at the end of the day. In addition, the fingers may become swollen, which makes it impossible to take off or put on the ring.

Swellings may appear at any time of the day, and may also affect various parts of the body (however, most often they are the arms and legs - ankles, less often the entire shins and feet) and may be of different intensity. Edema is also accompanied by other symptoms, such as a feeling of heaviness, fatigue, decreased concentration, irritability, headaches, as well as symptoms related to a disease that may underlie water retention in the body.

Water retention in the body - causes

  • water deficiency in the body- the body needs 2-2.5 liters of fluid every day to function properly. For physically active people, this amount is even greater. If the supply of fluids is insufficient, the body will protect itself against their loss - it will accumulate them in the subcutaneous tissue to avoid dehydration. This happens when you drink less than 1 liter of fluid per day;
  • excess sodium and potassium deficiency in the diet- deficiency or excess of certain minerals may contribute to the disturbance of the body's water balance. Too much sodium, i.e. hypernatremia (1 g of sodium corresponds to about 2.5 g of s alt) in the diet (in the form of a spice called vegetables, cold meats, ripening cheeses and(e.g. melted, s alty snacks, flavored cereals, etc.) can contribute to water retention. According to the WHO, daily s alt intake should not exceed 5 grams (or about 2 grams of sodium). Potassium deficiency may also contribute to the retention of water in the body.

CHECK>>What products have the most sodium in?

  • slimming diet- too restrictive (which can lead to malnutrition) or poor in protein that binds water. If there is not enough protein, body fluids seep through the walls of blood and lymph vessels, causing swelling;
  • excess alcohol- alcohol dehydrates, therefore the body begins to store water in the body;
  • the upcoming menstruation- the cause of water retention in the body is the increase in the level of estrogen in relation to progesterone in the second phase of the cycle (usually around the 15th-28th day). Hence, among others breast swelling and pain. Symptoms usually disappear in the first days of menstruation;
  • pregnancy- water is retained in the body especially at the end of pregnancy. Then (mainly in the evening) mild swelling of the legs appears, especially around the ankles and on the hands. These may be the result of hormone-dependent sodium storage in the body;
  • low physical activity- a sedentary lifestyle makes the blood flow in the vessels slower. Poor circulation causes fluid stagnation in the tissues and causes leg swelling;
  • heat- too high temperature causes the veins to dilate excessively, blood flows slower, stays in the blood vessels and fluids begin to seep through the walls of the veins into the surrounding tissues;
  • constant body position- staying in one position for a long time, e.g. long hours traveling by car or plane, hinders the outflow of venous blood;
  • drugs- pharmaceuticals that can cause water retention in the body, for example, minoxidil, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fludrocortisone, calcium channel blockers and birth control pills;

Water retention in the body - what diseases can it indicate?

  • heart failure- symmetrical, painless, pasty swellings appear, accompanied by exercise dyspnea, paroxysmal night dyspnea. There are also frequent crackles, the presence of the 3rd and 4th heart tone, widening of the jugular veins;
  • chronic venous insufficiency(varicose veins) - unilateral or symmetrical chronic limb edema, brown skin, feelingdiscomfort in this area, but without pain, sometimes skin ulcers. Often varicose widening of veins;
  • deep vein thrombosis- sudden, unilateral, unilateral swelling, usually of the lower limb, accompanied by pain. In addition, redness, excessive warmth and tenderness appear - but they are not very bothersome;
  • kidney disease , e.g. nephrotic syndrome (diffuse swelling, often significant ascites, sometimes periorbital edema), glomerulonephritis (swelling of the entire face);
  • hypothyroidism- swelling appears on the lower and upper eyelids and hands. Gradually, it also affects the cheeks and the bridge of the nose and lips, the face seems "puffed". In the case of an overactive thyroid, the calves are swollen;
  • liver disease(decreased production of albumin) - significant ascites, jaundice;

Read also:

  • Water Retention: Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Excess Water
  • Diet against edema - rules. What to eat to get rid of puffiness?
  • Edema in pregnancy - where do they come from and how to deal with them
About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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