Have you started gaining weight all of a sudden? Do you have severe pain in your feet, legs, and ankles? Also, suddenly there is swelling on the face, arms, legs, and stomach? If so, then all these symptoms could be water retention. Water retention refers to an abnormal increase in the amount of water and salt in the body. Due to water retention, water gets collected in the body tissues and then causes many types of problems. In this article on Myhealthonly, we will talk about the causes, symptoms, and home remedies for water retention.
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Let us first talk about the causes of water retention.
Causes Of Water Retention
Table of Contents
There can be many reasons for water retention i.e. accumulation of water in the body parts. Here we are listing some of the main reasons.
- Long journeys: Sitting in one place during long journeys can cause water retention. Also, due to this, there can be swelling in our feet.
- Hormonal imbalance: The hormones estrogen and progesterone regulate body fluids. When these hormones fluctuate, excess water accumulates in the body’s tissues.
- Menstruation: During this time there is a rapid change in hormones and estrogen and progesterone hormones start decreasing, which leads to water retention and weight gain.
- Salt intake: Sodium is found in salt, due to which limited intake of salt keeps the proper amount of water in our body. At the same time, excessive consumption of it can cause excess water in the body and water retention.
- Due to weakness of the heart: When the heart becomes weak in pumping blood, fluid leaks into the body tissue due to increased blood pressure in the veins and can cause water retention.
- Medical conditions: Irregular heartbeat, sudden swelling of arms or legs, rapid weight gain, infrequent urination may cause water retention.
- Pregnancy: The total body water increases to 6 to 8 liters during a normal pregnancy. This condition is called edema. This can also cause water retention problems.
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Know what are the symptoms of water retention.
Symptoms Of Water Retention
To know about water retention, here we are telling about some of its symptoms.
- Stomach bloating: Abdominal bloating can occur due to water retention. Blood pressure causes fluid to accumulate in the abdomen, which can lead to a feeling of tightness or bloating in the abdomen.
- Swelling in feet, toes, and ankles: Due to increased blood pressure in the veins, fluid seeps into the tissue. This can lead to swelling of the feet, toes, and ankles.
- Swelling of the hip and face: Due to water retention, swelling of the face and hip also occurs.
- Fluctuations in Weight: According to research, due to water retention, we can see a lot of fluctuations in our weight.
- Stiffness in the joints: Due to swelling due to water retention, the joints become stiff. Because of this, there may be trouble in moving and walking.
- Find out with finger: If a pit forms when the inflamed skin is pressed on the underside of the shin, it can be a symptom of water retention.
After knowing the symptoms of water retention, know about its home remedies.
Useful Home Remedies For Water Retention
If you are suffering from a water retention problem, then there is no need to panic. Here we are telling some ways to treat it so that you will be able to treat it at home.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Material :
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- 1 glass hot water
What to do?
- Put vinegar in a glass of water.
- Mix both well.
- Then consume this mixture.
When can you use
- This solution can be consumed 2 or 3 times daily.
How does it benefit?
Apple cider vinegar can reduce the amount of sodium in the body, which can be a factor in increasing water levels in the body. Consuming apple vinegar daily as a home remedy for water retention can overcome the problem of water retention.
- Garlic
Material :
- 1-2 garlic cloves
What to do?
- Chew one or two garlic cloves daily.
- You can also include it in your diet.
When can you use
- You can consume it daily.
How does it benefit?
Garlic has diuretic properties, which can help remove excess water from the body. Thus water retention can be treated with the help of garlic at home. If you include garlic in your diet, you can avoid water retention.
- Vitamins
Material :
- Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, and soybeans are good sources of vitamins.
What to do?
- You can include these foods in your diet.
When can you use
- You can consume them in your daily diet.
How does it benefit?
Consumption of some vitamins does not allow water retention in the body to increase, due to which an equal amount of water remains in the body. In particular, vitamins C and B6 are known to have diuretic effects. On this basis, we can say that by consuming vitamin C and B6, the excess water stored in the body can come out through urine and can get relief from problems like water retention.
- Ginger
Material :
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 cup water
- Honey
What to do?
- Mix one teaspoon of ground ginger in a cup of water.
- Put it in a pan and boil it for 5 minutes.
- Let the ginger tea cool down for some time.
- Now add some honey to it and enjoy the tea.
When can you use
- It can be used twice daily.
How does it benefit?
Ginger can increase metabolism as well as protect against infection. It also has mild diuretic properties. These reasons are enough to include ginger in your daily diet. Not only can it prevent water retention, but it can also aid in weight loss.
- Dandelion Root
Material :
- 1 tsp dry dandelion root powder
- 1 cup water
What to do?
- Mix one teaspoon of dandelion root powder in a cup of water.
- Boil it for a minute.
- Then let it cool for 2 to 3 hours.
- Add some water to it before consuming.
- After that consume it.
When can you use
- This tea can be used two or three times a day.
How does it benefit?
Dandelion root is a natural diuretic, which can help with water retention by flushing out excess water from the body.
- Essential Oils
A. Lavender oil
Material :
- 10 to 20 drops of lavender oil
- Bathtub full of water
What to do?
- Mix 10 to 20 drops of lavender oil in a tub full of water.
- Then take a bath with this water for 15 to 20 minutes.
When can you use
- You can take bath with this water every day.
How does it benefit?
The oil extracted from lavender can prove to be a home remedy for water retention. Its use can help in getting rid of water retention. In addition, its anti-inflammatory properties can also reduce inflammation.
B. Chamomile oil
Material :
- 10-20 drops of Roman chamomile oil
- Bath tub full of water
What to do?
- Add 10 to 20 drops of Roman chamomile oil to your bath water.
- Then take a bath with this water.
When can you use
- You can take bath in this way every day.
How does it benefit?
Roman chamomile has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, which can help treat symptoms such as water retention and the associated bloating.
- Rock Salt
Material :
- 1 cup rock salt
- 1 bucket water
What to do?
- Add a cup of rock salt to your bathwater.
- Take a bath for 20 to 30 minutes.
When can you use
- Can use it daily.
How does it benefit?
Rock salt is considered better than common salt. It contains two major electrolytes called sodium and chloride, which help in maintaining the balance of water levels in the body. When bathing with rock salt mixed water or sitting in that water for some time, the swelling due to water retention can be relieved. Thus rock salt can help in treating water retention.
- Green Tea
Material :
- 1 teaspoon green tea
- 1 cup hot water
What to do?
- Mix one teaspoon of green tea in a cup of hot water.
- Boil it for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Drink green tea after filtering.
When can you use
- It can be consumed twice a day.
How does it benefit?
Due to the small amount of caffeine present in green tea, it can prove to be an excellent diuretic. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties present in green tea can help reduce inflammation.
- Cumin Water
Material :
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup hot water
What to do?
- Add 1 teaspoon cumin to 1 cup of hot water.
- Boil it for 5 to 6 minutes and keep it like this overnight.
- The next day after filtering, consume it.
When can you use
- You can use it twice daily.
How does it benefit?
As a home remedy for water retention, cumin seeds aid in digestion as well as weight loss. In addition, it also has diuretic properties, which can reduce the cause of water retention.
- Oatmeal
Material :
- 1 bowl cooked oatmeal
- A cup of milk
What to do?
- Mix oatmeal in milk.
- Now eat oatmeal.
When can you use
- You can consume oatmeal daily.
How does it benefit?
Oatmeal is a great source of nutrients like fiber. Fiber has the properties of increasing hydration, as well as it can also regulate the water present in the body. Thus it can help in treating water retention.
- Curd
Material :
- 1 small bowl of curd
What to do?
- Consume curd.
- It can also be included in the diet.
When can you use
- You can include it in your daily diet.
How does it benefit?
Curd is one of the best foods to treat water retention. The potassium found in curd can be effective in controlling the amount of water present in the body.
- Fennel Seeds
Material :
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 cup hot water
What to do?
- Mix one teaspoon of fennel seeds in a cup of water.
- Soak them for 7 to 10 minutes.
- Then filter the water and use it.
When can you use
- You can use it every day at any time.
How does it benefit?
Fennel seeds are used to reduce water retention. The potassium present in it controls the body’s water. Also, due to its diuretic properties, it removes excess water from the body.
- Fenugreek Seeds
Material :
- 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 glass of water
What to do?
- Soak a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a glass of water.
- Keep it covered like this overnight.
- Strain the water the next morning and drink it.
When can you use
- You can use it regularly on a daily basis.
How does it benefit?
Fenugreek seeds are rich in fiber. (Benefits Of Fenugreek) Consuming fiber-rich foods like fenugreek helps in treating water retention in the body. It also helps in reducing bowel problems.
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Come, know what to eat and what not to eat in water retention.
Diet For Water Retention
Sometimes diet can be the reason for water accumulation in the body. Therefore, it is important to know the foods that balance the water content in the body. Let us talk about such foods:
What to eat:
More diuretic foods should be consumed, such as:
- Vitamin B6 can be helpful in removing water retention. Good sources of vitamin B6 include brown rice and red meat.
- For home remedies for water retention, you can include dandelion leaves, corn, cranberry, watermelon, oregano, ginger, carrot, lemon, and cinnamon in your diet.
- You can include fresh fruits and low-fat dairy foods in your daily diet.
- Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, and soybeans are good sources of vitamins. You can also include these in your meals.
What not to eat:
Apart from this, home remedies for water retention also require the removal of certain foods from your diet, which are as follows:
- Sodium-rich foods such as salt
- Tea, Coffee, and Wine
- White rice, white pasta
- Pastries, sodas, snacks, and junk food
- Caffeinated drinks
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After this, we know how water retention can be prevented.
Some More Tips To Prevent Water Retention
Let us know the treatment of water retention and some easy tips to overcome it.
- Take a low salt diet.
- Wear socks to prevent fluid from collecting in your feet.
- When lying down, try to keep the feet at some height.
- Quit alcohol and smoking.
- Focus on your diet and see which foods trigger water retention.
- Exercise regularly.
- Do yogasanas like Parvatasana, Virabhadrasana, Halasana and Surya Namaskar. These yogasanas can help in flushing out excess water from the body.
Through this article, you must have come to know about water retention. Along with this, you must have become clear that due to which water starts accumulating in the body parts, what can be its consequences and by which home remedies this problem can be reduced. At the same time, you must have come to know the ways to avoid it. In such a situation, if someone is troubled by this problem, then the mentioned home remedies can be adopted. Hope this article proves helpful to you. If you want, you can also share this article with other people.
Frequently Asked Questions :
Water intake can be controlled by adding potassium and diuretic foods to the diet and avoiding sodium-rich foods.
Watermelon, cucumber, ginger, green tea, lemon, ajwain, dandelion, etc. have natural diuretic properties, which can help in flushing out excess water from the body.
Lemon water has diuretic effects, which can help reduce water retention.
Yes, high levels of sugar in the body can cause inflammation in many parts.
Normally the problem of temporary water retention goes away on its own in no time.
