Water retention is often temporary and is easily treated, however, it can sometimes be an indication of a serious medical condition. If you are experiencing water retention that lasts more than a week, it is important to consult with your physician in order to determine the cause of water retention and rule out any possible health conditions.

In cases where water retention is not the result of a serious medical condition, the discomfort of edema can be relieved quickly and easily. Discover tips for reducing water retention and find out how the condition is diagnosed.

Fluid retention or edema means that there is excessive water in the tissue of the body which causes the body to swell, especially in the extremities. Fluid retention is often caused by the increase of blood pressure on the veins which adds to the pressure on the capillaries.

The irregular changes in the blood vessels are often associated with eating habits. Signs of Water Retention. So how does one recognize water retention in the body?

It is typically first noticed because of the swelling of extremities. One indication of water retention is difficulty to lose weight despite diet efforts.

The physical signs are more evident, however. Physical signs of water retention include swollen ankles and unexplained weight gain over a short period of time. Also, rings may not fit anymore and the stomach may feel swollen. One way to find out if you are retaining water is by gently pressing the foot, ankle or calf with slow, steady pressure using the thumb.

If edema is present, an indentation will show on the skin. A professional evaluation to determine the cause of leg swelling is still necessary, however. It is possible to retain up to 5 pounds of water weight, most of which is stored in the fluid that surrounds the cells throughout the body.

Overweight people tend to retain more water because they consume more calories and as a result, tend to consume higher amounts of sodium which greatly contributes to water retention. Certain types of edema can result in moderate discomfort in the area where excess fluid accumulation occurs.

Carpal tunnel syndrome , morning stiffness and headaches may accompany the swelling. Water retention can also be mistaken for premenstrual syndrome or make existing premenstrual syndrome worse.

Types of Water Retention. There are two extensive types of fluid retention. The first one is generalized oedema that is characterized by swellings all over the body. The second type is the localized oedema that affects particular body parts. This condition is most common in the legs and feet, and can also affect the face, hand, and arm areas.

This condition might be inherited or may be a result of an injury in the lymphatic vessels. In this type of fluid retention, the symptoms consist of severe fatigue, discoloration of skin, heavy-swollen limb, and eventual deformity of the affected area.

Causes of Water Retention. Water retention is also linked to protein deficiency, anemia , and the high requirement for vitamin and supplement intake. There is a specific kind of diet that is recommended for water retention which forces the body to eliminate excess fluid. Water retention can also be the result of a medical condition involving organs such as the liver, heart, or kidneys.

When an area of the body is not functioning properly, the body tends to retain fluid in that area of the body. The body becomes unable to eliminate fluid properly when certain medical conditions are present.

Standing for long periods of time causes fluids to pool in the legs, thus increasing water retention. Hot weather can also lead to fluid retention because the body is less efficient at removing fluid from the body. Certain medications can cause water retention as well, especially high blood pressure and steroid medications.

When you restrict energy intake suddenly in order to lose weight, the body is forced to store carbohydrates and break down protein in the muscles.

Because both protein and carbohydrates hold water in their cells, a loss of these nutrients results in water loss during a rapid weight loss diet. People who lose weight quickly often regain weight within a few weeks because the body is replenishing itself with water.

There is higher risk of fluid retention for women because of varying hormone levels. Menopausal and premenstrual edema is caused by the effect of hormones on fluid balance. The hormonal changes for women before the menstrual period also cause retention and may result in symptoms such as breast tenderness.

Reducing Water Retention. One way to reduce water retention is by increasing potassium intake by eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits. These foods contain nutrients that help prevent blood vessels from leaking fluid in the tissue spaces. Eating food high in potassium is recommended rather than taking potassium supplements.

Aside from potassium, intake of Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine can also help. Skipping junk food and cutting down on pizza, canned soups and cereals or any food that might have hidden salt ingredients in it are also necessary compromises. Reducing the consumption of high sodium foods is important because too much sodium in the blood can affect the tissues causing them to retain water.

Some doctors also recommend drinking herbal teas since tea also helps reduce water retention. Lastly, wearing compression stockings which applies high pressure to the ankles can also be effective.

If the capillaries cannot reabsorb the fluid, it will stay in the tissues, causing swelling and water retention. Some people experience this type of edema because they have a rare condition known as systemic leaky capillary syndrome.

The pumping action of the heart helps maintain normal pressure within the blood vessels. Fluid retention can arise from this. There may be swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles, as well as fluid in the lungs, which can result in long-term cough or breathing difficulties.

Eventually, congestive heart failure can lead to breathing problems and stress on the heart. It can therefore be life threatening. The lymphatic system carries lymph through the body. Lymph is a fluid that contains white blood cells.

It helps the immune system defend the body against infection. As the lymphatic system delivers and reabsorbs lymphatic fluid, it also helps the body maintain fluid balance. If a problem prevents the lymphatic system from working properly, fluid can build up around the tissues. This can cause swelling in various parts of the body, including the abdomen, ankles, legs, and feet.

Learn more about all forms of cancer in our dedicated hub. Waste, fluids, and other substances pass into tiny tubules in the kidneys, which act as a filter. The bloodstream reabsorbs anything the body can reuse and removes the waste in the urine.

If the kidneys do not work properly, they cannot remove waste material, including fluids and sodium. The fluid will therefore stay in the body. People with chronic kidney disease , for example, may notice swelling in the lower limbs, hands, or face.

During pregnancy, the body holds more water than usual, leading to swelling in the lower limbs — especially during hot weather or after standing for a long time.

Hormonal changes and carrying extra weight in the abdomen can also contribute. This is not usually dangerous, and it mostly resolves after delivery. If the swelling suddenly becomes more severe, however, it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia. This is a type of high blood pressure that can harm both the mother and the fetus.

Anyone who experiences headaches, vomiting, pain under the ribs, vision problems, along with increased swelling during pregnancy, should seek immediate medical attention. People with mobility problems or a sedentary lifestyle can develop edema in the lower legs.

Underuse can cause the calf muscle pump to lose strength. People with obesity may experience swelling due to the extra weight they carry. Obesity also increases the risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart disease , all of which can result in edema.

Obesity also increases the risk of metabolic syndrome , which includes type 2 diabetes , high blood pressure, and other health issues. Albumin is a protein that helps the human body manage fluids. When a person has a severe protein deficiency, it may be harder for the body to move interstitial fluid back into the capillaries.

When a person is severely malnourished, they may develop kwashiorkor. Symptoms include a loss of muscle mass and an enlarged abdomen.

This is due to fluid retention in the bodily tissues. What is malnutrition , and who is at risk? Learn more here. When the immune system detects an unwanted invader, such as bacteria or an allergen, it will mount an attack.

Inflammation is part of this process. When inflammation occurs, the body releases histamine. Histamine causes the gaps between the cells of the capillary walls to widen.

It does this to allow infection-fighting white blood cells to reach the site of inflammation. However, it can also allow fluid to leak from the capillaries into the surrounding tissues. The swelling that results from this is usually short-term.

Some medications can also lead to water retention. Anyone concerned about swelling while using medication should speak to their doctor. They may be able to change the dosage or suggest an alternative. Edema can develop when a person uses birth control pills. What other adverse effects can arise?

Find out here. Dependent edema occurs when fluid pools in the lower part of the body. The symptoms of fluid retention will depend on the area it affects. Common areas include the lower legs, the hands, the abdomen, and the chest. In the limbs, feet, and hands, symptoms include :. Fluid retention in the brain is known as cerebral edema.

This can cause symptoms including vomiting, blurred vision, headache , and difficulty with balance. This can be life threatening.

Excess fluid in the lungs, or pulmonary edema , can indicate a serious problem with the heart or respiratory system. Many cases of edema will resolve without treatment. If there is an underlying condition, a doctor will focus on treating that. Diuretics are one treatment option.

They can help the kidneys remove fluid from the body. These are usually short-term options, however, as they can cause side effects such as dehydration , increased water retention, and kidney damage.

Some causes of fluid retention need medical treatment, but home remedies may help relieve the symptoms. The sections below discuss some of these in more detail.

Some herbs are natural diuretics. Some people believe that the extract of dandelion Taraxacum officinale may help reduce the amount of water the body retains in a day.

Some people may also have an allergy to it. A person should speak to a doctor before using this or other herbal remedy.

This could result in fluid retention. Magnesium is another key electrolyte and mineral that has over roles in the human body, including managing hydration and fluid retention levels. Studies suggest that magnesium can ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome PMS like water retention. These changes occur because magnesium plays an integrative role with other electrolytes , such as sodium and potassium.

In addition to magnesium supplements, magnesium-rich foods are also recommended. These include dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Dandelion, also known as Taraxacum officinale, is a herb used in alternative medicine to help treat water retention. For example, some bodybuilders use it to lose water weight for aesthetic purposes or to meet a weight category.

Dandelion supplements may help you lose water weight by signaling the kidneys to expel more urine and additional salt or sodium. A study shows that taking dandelion supplements may increase the frequency of urination over a 5-hour period. That said, more research is required on the effectiveness of dandelion supplements on water retention and weight.

Larger human studies are needed to better understand the diuretic benefits of these herbs. Additionally, though bloating is usually not caused by water retention, you may also wish to limit or temporarily remove foods that may cause bloating. Cutting carbs is a common strategy to quickly drop excess water weight.

Carbs are stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen. However, glycogen pulls water inside along with it. Around 3—4 grams 0. This may be why people experience immediate weight loss when switching to a low carb diet , which reduces glycogen stores.

Carbs may also spike insulin levels. This could increase sodium retention and reabsorption of water in the kidneys. Low carb diets lead to a drop in insulin levels, which could lead to a loss of sodium and water from the kidneys. Try altering your carb intake and see what works best for you.

Caffeine and beverages that contain caffeine like coffee and tea may help you lose water weight. Caffeine may have a diuretic effect and increase short-term urine output. This could increase the amount of water that leaves your body, therefore decreasing water weight.

However, this varies depending on the amount of caffeine that you consume. For instance, a study found that drinking about milligrams mg of caffeine, or approximately 6 cups of coffee, significantly increased urine production. On the other hand, drinking mg of caffeine, or around 3 cups of coffee, had no effect on fluid balance.

Water weight may have several different causes, such as :. It may be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs medical treatment. You could check for water weight at home by using a method that doctors use to assess for pitting edema. Apply pressure to the swollen area.

This method may not work for relatively healthy people trying to figure out if the fast food they ate last night increased true weight or water weight. Other signs of water weight may include :.

This means that water weight can be 10 pounds or higher. Short-term fluid retention may go away on its own or after exercising, returning to a well-balanced diet, or until your hormones are rebalanced.

If you have edema, you may experience swollen ankles, feet, or legs for a longer period of time. Speak with a healthcare professional if your water retention problems persist, are severe, or increase suddenly.

You might require blood thinners or diuretics, depending on the cause. You might think that putting more water into your body adds more water weight. It turns out that the opposite is true. Your body will hold on to whatever water it has if it's dehydrated. Make sure that you get plenty of water, especially if you are eating salty or sugary foods.

It might help to limit tea, coffee, and alcohol, all of which can dehydrate you. Cranberry juice, in contrast, has a slight diuretic effect and may help flush out excess water. Choosing hydrating foods is a safe and healthy way to lose excess water weight and helps hydrate you.

Take in more fluids, even in the form of hydrating foods, to ultimately help your body excrete water. Hydrating foods include fruits and vegetables like:. Try eating more potassium-rich foods like leafy greens and potatoes.

Potassium also helps you get rid of excess sodium. Physical activity is key to losing water weight. Not only will you sweat out some fluid, but you'll also need to rehydrate. Moving around can also help reduce puffiness. Stop the car at regular intervals while driving long distances to get out and stretch your legs.

Move around if possible while riding buses, planes, and trains. You can even do simple exercises with your feet and legs while sitting. Regular exercise is important if you are pregnant, which increases swelling in the legs and ankles.

Resting with your feet up also helps reduce that swelling. Quality sleep is generally essential for your overall health. Experts advise that adults get about seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

It turns out that sleep may help decrease water weight. Research has found that your kidneys can effectively manage the amount of water and sodium they store when you get adequate rest.

Salty and sugar foods make your body hold onto more water than usual. Try cutting down on high-sodium foods, such as bacon, cookies, donuts, and ham. Replace sugary drinks with water flavored with pieces of fruit or cucumber slices. Cook from scratch when you can, using fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Read the label if you need to use a packaged item. Compare the sodium and added sugar contents across similar products. Your body stores excess carbs that it does not use right away in your cells as glycogen, which has three grams of water. Most people on a 2,calorie diet need grams of carbs per day.

Try swapping bread and pasta for meat, fish, or poultry to cut down on your carb intake. Excess cortisol, the stress hormone, may increase water weight.

Cortisol levels directly correlate to antidiuretic hormone ADH levels. ADH communicates with your kidneys to control the amount of water in your body. Electrolytes , like magnesium and potassium, help manage the amount of water that your body stores.

As a result, you might gain water weight if your electrolyte levels are out of balance. Water does not have electrolytes, so reach for a sports drink to replenish them.

You might also consider electrolyte supplements if you are significantly increasing or decreasing your water intake. Dandelion and magnesium supplements might help manage water weight.

Research has found that dandelion has a diuretic effect. Magnesium is an electrolyte that helps control the amount of water inside your body. Some evidence suggests that vitamin B6 supplements reduce bloating and decrease premenstrual syndrome PMS symptoms.

More research is needed to know exactly how vitamin B6 affects PMS symptoms. There are several factors that result in excess fluid in your body. Some of the most common causes include eating too much salt, sitting for long periods, and taking certain medications.

Some blood pressure drugs, like calcium channel blockers, increase fluid retention. Certain anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids also cause your body to hold onto sodium and lose potassium, resulting in added water weight.

Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if your medication is the cause of water weight. They might be able to provide an alternative medication. Cortisol is best known as a stress hormone, although it's much more than that. The hormone helps keep your blood sugar and blood pressure levels stable, supports metabolism, reduces inflammation, and helps form memories.

Although rare, fluid retention might be the result of elevated cortisol levels. Cushing syndrome, for instance, might cause your body to hold on to sodium. This disorder occurs when tumors on the adrenal and pituitary glands release too much cortisol into your blood.

Some people with an underactive thyroid hypothyroidism may have swelling around their eyes. Estrogen and progestin, hormones in birth control pills , might increase fluid retention.

This water weight is usually temporary and not significant. Still, you may want to talk to a healthcare provider about other birth control options if you are uncomfortable.

Fluctuating hormones cause many people to retain water the week before their period. You might also notice swelling in your breasts, causing tenderness, during that time. Excess water weight, though harmless in some situations, can be related to specific chronic health concerns.

For example, edema can result from heart, liver, and kidney issues and may even exacerbate the problems further. If you notice your clothes fit a little differently than last night or the number on your scale jumped up unexpectedly, you might be dealing with some water retention.

But, no need to panic and no need to start slashing calories. While you may not be a fan of the puffiness that accompanies fluid retention, water weight is perfectly normal. In fact, the human body uses its fluid balance as a form of protection against dehydration.

For example, if your body is storing extra fluid in the tissues surrounding your heart, your heart has to pump under the excess weight of that fluid.

Over time, that puts unnecessary stress on a highly essential organ. Other organs can suffer from chronic excess fluid. Anyone can experience fluid retention, but some lifestyle factors and underlying medical conditions can increase your risk.

Fluid retention can result from a high-sodium diet, menstruation, certain medications, poor circulation, and elevated cortisol levels. Of course, edema can also result from underlying medical conditions such as heart failure, cirrhosis, kidney disease, obesity, and pregnancy.

A diet rich in sodium causes the body to retain water to dilute the sodium levels in your system. This increases the fluid in your cells and in your bloodstream. A sedentary lifestyle is a common culprit for water retention.

Sitting or standing still for an extended period causes an unusual amount of fluid to build up in your tissues as gravity pulls blood toward your extremities.

Thankfully, movement helps to maintain good blood flow and circulation. So keep moving! However, when our capillaries are damaged, liquid can leak into the gaps between our cells, resulting in water retention. The lymphatic system is most known for its role in delivering and reabsorbing lymphatic fluid that contains white blood cells that fight against bacteria in the bloodstream.

A malfunctioning lymphatic system can translate to a disruption in water retention. Unfortunately, premenstrual syndrome or PMS is attributed as one of the many causes of water weight gain.

In addition, changes in sex hormones, including progesterone and estrogen, can cause bloating and puffiness in the days leading up to their period.

Some medications, including drugs for high blood pressure, cancer, and depression, can cause an increase in water weight. Some over-the-counter pain relievers can also increase the amount of water your body retains.

Short of taking diuretic water pills, what can we do to lose excess fluids? Read on to find out how to reduce water weight. Sometimes carbs get a bad rap, but, in reality, our bodies rely on carbohydrates for energy. And since research shows that every gram of glycogen is stored with at least three grams of water, excess carbohydrate intake can cause a build-up of water weight.

Try to choose nutrient-dense carbs and be mindful of your serving sizes. Physical activity can be an excellent option for those trying to lose water weight fast through natural remedies.

Any exercise that causes the body to sweat can help you quickly shed water weight. Working out increases your circulation and improves blood flow, helping to move water into your muscles to support their growth and recovery.

It also helps burn off glycogen energy, which we know can help reduce water weight. It sounds counterintuitive, but our bodies are brilliant machines.

For example, if your body is constantly dehydrated, it will fight to retain fluids to prevent water levels from dropping dangerously low. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends a daily intake of approximately 3.

Potassium has many roles in the body, including maintaining intracellular fluid volume. Electrolytes counteract the effects of sodium to prevent fluid from building up while also increasing urine production. To support a healthy fluid balance, include potassium-rich foods like bananas, tomatoes, and avocados.

Sodium, a major component of salt, is an electrolyte that the human body needs in small amounts to maintain fluid balance and keep muscles and nerves operating smoothly. The body requires a delicate balance of sodium to water.

Overeating salt skews the ratio and can result in rapid water retention. The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting your sodium intake to less than 2, milligrams daily. In addition, be mindful of your dietary choices. Avoid processed foods as feasible, limit fast food, and opt for fresh, whole foods when possible.

Magnesium plays many roles in the human body. Good sources of magnesium include foods such as nuts, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, and dark chocolate. Not a fan of magnesium-rich foods? No two bodies are the same, so the time it takes to lose water weight depends on a few factors. The rate at which we lose our water weight is influenced by how much water we retain, the cause behind the weight gain, and the methods we use to lose it.

But if you are retaining water after overindulging for a few weeks, it may take longer. Water weight gain occurs when our cells hold onto extra water, no matter how many calories we eat. Fat gain, on the other hand, occurs when our calorie intake exceeds our energy output.

To gain a pound of fat, you must consume an additional 3, calories than your baseline expenditure.