4 reasons why your body retains water
The excessive accumulation of fluid in the vascular system, bodily tissues, or cavities in the body is known as water retention or fluid retention. Water makes up the majority of the human body, which may be found in our blood, bones, muscles, and organs.
Our bodies require water to operate, but the body can occasionally retain excessive quantities of it, a condition known as water retention, which appears visually as an unnaturally inflated appearance.
Cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure, renal failure, preeclampsia (a hazardous illness linked with pregnancy), and premenstrual syndrome are among disorders that might produce fluid retention as a side effect.
Here are five of the most common causes of water retention in the body, as well as ways to avoid them.
Sodium, sometimes known as table salt, is an essential nutrient that is required for a variety of body activities, but only in modest amounts. Excessive salt in our diets is all too common, resulting in fluid retention and weight gain.
Recommendation: A daily sodium intake of 2300 mg or less is advised. That may seem like a lot of salt, but it's only a teaspoon. Use herbs and spices instead of salt to reduce your salt intake. Dill, garlic, ginger, oregano, onion, sage, and pepper are all good options. Without using a lot of salt, lemon juice, mustard, and vinegar can provide a little flavor.
Lifestyle
Water retention can also be caused by a sedentary, inactive lifestyle. Physical signs, such as swelling ankles and legs, are present in both situations.
Recommendation: It is critical to keep blood flowing throughout the body. Take small breaks to get out and get some exercise if your job requires you to sit at a table all day. Before and after work, park far away from your house so you may have a beautiful walk. Instead of taking the elevator, take the steps. Be inventive!
It is critical to comprehend the advantages of exercising if you are inactive. However, you do not need to train intensely; aim for 15 to 30 minutes of light to moderate activity three times each week.
Medications
Water retention is a common adverse effect of several pharmaceutical medicines. Antidepressants, beta-blockers, blood pressure meds, chemotherapeutic treatments, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among them. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are the most prevalent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.
Recommendation: If you're thinking about cutting back on your prescription medications, talk to your doctor first. The necessity for medical care arises from the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, which commonly occur when the body adjusts to lower doses of the medicine. If you observe extreme swelling from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or other medicines, you should see a doctor.
Hormones
During perimenopause and menopause, severe bloating is quite prevalent in women, and it is generally caused by water retention, intestinal gas, and diminished bile production, or a combination of the three.
