I have water retention, Help!!!

You feel bloated, you struggle to remove the rings, the ankles are doubled in volume ... Perhaps you suffer from water retention. Here are the explanations on this disorder, generally benign, which mainly affects women more than men.

What is water retention?

Our body is composed for 65-70% of water: two-thirds are imprisoned inside the cells (it is the intracellular liquid), the rest is outside (extracellular liquid), that is in the blood vessels (plasma) and between cells (interstitial fluid).  

"To maintain this balance, the body is provided with a system that regulates the infiltration and reabsorption of water between vessels, tissues and interstitial spaces," This system is based on osmotic pressure (which always tends to attract water from the most concentrated medium towards the less concentrated) and on the hydrostatic pressure (generated by the cardiovascular system). However, it may happen that the system does not work properly and that water is infiltrated into the tissues and remains trapped: it is water retention ".

The causes of water retention

The causes of this problem are many: they can vary from one person to another and add up to the same individual. The main causes are:

• The heat that dilates the blood vessels and makes them more porous, favoring the escape of water from the vessels and preventing their reabsorption by the tissues.
• The immobility protracted , standing or in a sitting position.
• A diet rich in salt and / or low in protein.
• A hormonal imbalance , during pregnancy , before the menstrual cycle or in menopause.
• Some medications , especially corticoids, antihypertensives, neuroleptics and hormonal therapies.
• Some diseases , such as venous, renal or cardiac insufficiency, negatively affect the normal functioning of the fluid regulation system and are responsible for the formation of more or less severe edema.
• A poor blood circulation, which hinders the process of absorption of liquids.

What are the signs of water retention?

The water retention manifests itself with a swelling of the tissues, known as edema . It generally affects the feet, ankles and legs due to the force of gravity: if you see a protuberance appear by pressing the tibia, it means that you have water retention. In some cases, edema can also affect the stomach or the face : this condition occurs especially during the premenstrual period, in which many women have a swollen belly and suffer from abdominal tension, or as a consequence of the intake of some drugs ( in particular the corticoids) that cause swelling.

Another characteristic sign of water retention: "a rapid and inexplicable weight gain, up to 3 kilos in 24 hours", These are not the accumulated pounds due to food excesses, but rather a significant variation in body weight over a period of only 24 hours, without having changed their diet .

Water retention: which treatments?

With the exception of pathological causes, the treatment of water retention is essentially based on the adoption of certain sanitary measures.

FOOD FACTORSFrom the food point of view, people subject to edema must introduce some changes in their lifestyle, depending on the factor responsible for water retention.

• If the problem is caused by excessive salt intake, it is advisable to reduce them, specifically avoiding canned, very salty products, cured meats, hard cheeses and some sparkling waters.
• In the event that the water supplies are insufficient, it is necessary to increase them through a greater consumption of liquids ( water , herbal teas, soups), foods rich in water (artichokes, cabbage, asparagus, watermelons, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce) and potassium ( vegetables, cereals, wheat sprouts and yeast).
• Be careful not to reduce excessively the consumption of proteins , which must remain sufficient to ensure proper absorption of the water present in the tissues towards the blood vessels. Nuts, almonds, complex cereals are excellent sources of protein and constitute, among other things, excellent spices.
• Some foods have particularly interesting draining properties, including pineapple, papaya, grapefruit and also endive, asparagus, celery and artichoke.
• It is a good idea to divide up your meals to stabilize your blood sugar and avoid your body replacing cell sugar with water.
• If the phenomenon of water retention is caused by a capillary fragility, consumption of red fruits, citrus fruits and green tea, rich in vitamins E and P, makes it possible to reinforce the walls, explains the phlebologist.
• To improve venous return, it is advisable to practiceregular physical activity and avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.
• In bed, lifting the legs reduces the risk of swelling of the lower limbs.
• For sensitive people, avoid exposure to heat.

POSTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORSIn cases of water retention, lymphatic drainage is also recommended , as the lymphatic system compensates for the weakness of the venous system. Drainage can be passive: in this case it is a massage performed in a specialized center or a chinesiterapist. Or active: in this case, drainage occurs during a physical activity through the work of the deep muscles. Since swimming exercises a light massage making all the muscles of the legs work, it is particularly indicated in case of water retention.

AND DIURETICS? Diuretics are drugs or natural substances of vegetable origin that act on the kidneys by increasing diuresis, or the amount of urine excreted.

• The draining food supplements , light and natural, do not present any danger to health and offer rather good results, citing witch hazel, horse chestnut or holly. These ingredients are available in the form of food supplements or bulk products sold in pharmacies or in organic food stores.
• On the contrary, diuretic drugs are of no help, says the specialist. In fact, these drugs can damage the kidneys and cause potentially dangerous losses of potassium, as they expose the subject to a real cardiac risk. Such drugs should be administered to patients whose water retention is the consequence of a serious condition such as heart failure, renal or hepatic failure.

Water retention: when to worry?

In general, the sudden appearance of an edema must be an alarm bell, because it may be a phlebitis, or a blood clot that blocks blood circulation (deep vein thrombosis). In most cases, it occurs at the level of the lower limbs (calves), but it can also affect the other veins of the organism. If this clot migrates following the bloodstream it can reach the heart and obstruct the pulmonary artery, thus causing an embolism. Signs that must alert only the rapidity of onset or evolution of the edema, its asymmetry and the pains that may accompany it.

Water retention is also frequent during gestation . In most cases, it is a physiological and multifactorial disorder. It is necessary to worry when the edemas suddenly appear or take on considerable dimensions within a few hours. It can be the sign of a typical disease of pregnancy, known as preeclampsia or gestosis. In this case, a doctor should be urgently consulted as there are risks to the health of the mother and the unborn child.

If you suffer from water retention, talk to your doctor, who can direct you to a phlebologist who, better than anyone else, will be able to establish the origin of the disorder and to propose a targeted treatment.