Water Retention and Bloating

Water retention or edema refers to the retention of excess water within the tissues, or the interstitial spaces. The result is the swelling or bloating of the area, where the tissues retain excessive water or fluid, which is the most common symptom of bloating. Apart from swelling, the affected individuals can also experience weight gain, or fluctuations in body weight due to water retention.

Generally, excess water from the tissues are carried by the lymphatic system, to the bloodstream. Water retention occurs, when the lymphatic system fails to remove water from the interstitial space. Water retention can be generalized or localized. In generalized water retention, water accumulates within the tissues of the entire body, which causes generalized swelling. On the other hand, localized water retention results in the accumulation of water, and swelling in some specific parts of the body like, legs, abdomen, face, etc.

What Causes Water Retention?

Water retention in the body can be caused by several factors including, certain health conditions as well as diet.

• Bloating and this condition is often associated with excessive intake of sodium or salt. Sodium induces the kidneys to retain or conserve more water, which causes accumulation of water or fluid within the tissues.
• Women are more likely to experience this problem, a few days before the onset of menstruation and during pregnancy, due to rising level of the hormone, estrogen. A high level of estrogen activates the secretion of aldosterone, which in turn, stimulates the kidneys to conserve more water.
• Women can also suffer from fluid or water retention, due to intake of oral contraceptives that contain estrogen.
• Certain drugs like, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs and hypertension medications can cause such a problem.
• Kidney diseases can be another important factor responsible for causing water retention, as such diseases compromise the ability of the kidneys to excrete sodium and fluid from the body.
• Apart from kidney diseases, water retention can be a symptom of some other medical conditions including, congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, hypothyroidism, nutritional deficiency, especially deficiency of B vitamins, arthritis, severe allergic reaction, varicose vein and chronic lung disease.

Prevention of Water Retention

Treatment for mild water retention usually involves the administration of diuretics. However, a severe case of fluid retention would require treatment and management of the underlying health conditions. Along with treatment, physicians also recommend a change in the lifestyle and dietary modifications to manage the condition. Dietary modifications include, reducing the intake of salt or sodium, while including more green vegetables, fruits and protein rich foods in the diet. Like dietary modifications, a few changes in the lifestyle, especially regular exercising can help immensely to prevent water retention or edema. Cardiovascular exercises and water aerobics can help to a great extent to expel excess fluid from the body, to reduce bloating, water retention, besides improving your overall health and well-being. Supplementation of calcium and magnesium can also help to alleviate water retention. However, be sure to take supplementation with your physician's approval.

Certain foods can also help to deal with water retention or edema. Caffeine is known to have diuretic properties and hence, can provide relief in fluid retention. So, caffeinated beverages can be used for reducing bloating and water retention. Other natural diuretic foods that can help to alleviate water retention are, cranberry juice, celery, lemon juice, tomato juice, tea, peppermint, parsley, anise, asparagus, dandelion, etc.

Apart from these, drinking plenty of water, at least 7 to 8 glasses of water daily is very important for reducing water retention in body. This may sound a little contradictory, as water retention is the accumulation of excess water within the tissues. But, many people are not aware of the fact that, dehydration can induce the body to conserve or retain more water within the tissues, to prevent shortage of water in the body. So, drinking sufficient water can help the body to expel extra water and sodium from the body. A mild and temporary case of water retention can be managed effectively with the help of these simple measures. However, severe water retention or edema would require immediate medical attention.