Fluid Retention Causes

Fluid retention, also known as water retention, is a condition where there is excess of fluid in the body, which may or may not lead to edema and visible swelling. Although this condition is merely a discomforting symptom and not an actual disease, it can be an indication of a serious underlying disease or disorder.

This is so because, if the functioning of any major organ or system is impaired, it easily leads to electrolyte and water imbalance in the body, which in turn causes fluid retention.

One of the most common causes is a diet that is high in salt. Salt is made up of sodium chloride, which has a natural effect of retaining fluid in the body. This leads to swelling and edema as well.

Women are at a higher risk of this condition due to the fact that they have hormonal fluctuations in the body on a monthly basis. This change in hormonal levels seen as a part of premenstrual syndrome causes fluid retention. One such example is: just after ovulation when there is lowering of progesterone in the body, there can be water retention. Furthermore, dietary changes and cravings at this time also increases the possibility of retention of water.

Another common cause is pregnancy. During pregnancy, once again hormonal changes in the body encourages retention of fluid. This is seen because excess fluid is required by the fetus and placenta. As a result, pregnant women experience swelling in hands and feet, especially ankle edema.

Vitamin deficiency, like inadequate intake of vitamin B1 and B6, and low levels of protein in the blood known as hypoproteinemia, also leads to this condition.

Side effects of certain medications such as medicines used for lowering high blood pressure, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) etc., may retain fluid in the body. An overdose of anti-diuretics can also lead to this condition.

Other causes include systemic diseases, like kidney diseases, heart failure, hypothyroidism, liver diseases, metabolic disorders, diabetes, burns, inflammation, etc. Sometimes, there may be transient water retention due to standing for long periods of time, or improper ways of sleeping, like sleeping face down can lead to a puffy face in the morning.

• Swelling and edema
• Pain and redness
• The joints in the areas may ache
• In some cases, there may be pitting edema seen, while in others the edema may be non-pitting in nature.
• Fluctuations in weight may be seen

The treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. If an improper or unhealthy diet is an underlying cause, then the person must immediately switch to a diet that is low in salt. This will also help prevent other conditions such as tachycardia, high blood pressure, and other heart diseases.

If despite following a normal and healthy diet the person is still showing signs of edema and water retention, then it is best to consult a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe medications to deal with the problem.

Although not fatal in itself, if a person is experiencing persistent retention of fluid, then it is important to get the condition diagnosed and treated at the earliest so as to prevent any further complications.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.