You may find that the body parts retaining water become tight, swollen, and painful. If untreated, heart or kidney problems may get much worse. com Patient education: Edema swelling Beyond the Basics. American Academy of Family Physicians. American Heart Association. Warning signs of heart failure.

Get the scoop on sodium and salt. National Kidney Foundation. How your kidneys work. Managing heart failure symptoms. Trayes KP, Studdiford JS, Pickle S, Tully AS. Edema: Diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. Aguree, S. Plasma volume expansion across healthy pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 19, Philipson H, Ekman I, Forslund HB, Swedberg K, Schaufelberger M. Salt and fluid restriction is effective in patients with chronic heart failure.

European Journal of Heart Failure. gov Lower sodium foods: shopping list. Ebrahimi E, Khayati Motlagh S, Nemati S, Tavakoli Z. Effects of magnesium and vitamin b6 on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

Journal of Caring Sciences; eISSN Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Mary Nolan-Pleckham, RN. Medically reviewed by Suzanne Fisher, RD. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. How to Get Rid of It. When to Seek Medical Care. Frequently Asked Questions. Sodium Limits The sodium recommendation for healthy Americans is 2, mg per day.

Weight Gain Checking your daily weight is a crucial tool in managing heart failure. Frequently Asked Questions How to get rid of water retention overnight? How long does it take for water retention to leave the body? What happens if water retention is left untreated?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. The physical signs are more evident, however. Physical signs of water retention include swollen ankles and unexplained weight gain over a short period of time.

Also, rings may not fit anymore and the stomach may feel swollen. One way to find out if you are retaining water is by gently pressing the foot, ankle or calf with slow, steady pressure using the thumb. If edema is present, an indentation will show on the skin. A professional evaluation to determine the cause of leg swelling is still necessary, however.

It is possible to retain up to 5 pounds of water weight, most of which is stored in the fluid that surrounds the cells throughout the body. Overweight people tend to retain more water because they consume more calories and as a result, tend to consume higher amounts of sodium which greatly contributes to water retention.

Certain types of edema can result in moderate discomfort in the area where excess fluid accumulation occurs. Carpal tunnel syndrome , morning stiffness and headaches may accompany the swelling. Water retention can also be mistaken for premenstrual syndrome or make existing premenstrual syndrome worse.

Types of Water Retention. There are two extensive types of fluid retention. The first one is generalized oedema that is characterized by swellings all over the body.

The second type is the localized oedema that affects particular body parts. This condition is most common in the legs and feet, and can also affect the face, hand, and arm areas. This condition might be inherited or may be a result of an injury in the lymphatic vessels. In this type of fluid retention, the symptoms consist of severe fatigue, discoloration of skin, heavy-swollen limb, and eventual deformity of the affected area.

Causes of Water Retention. Water retention is also linked to protein deficiency, anemia , and the high requirement for vitamin and supplement intake. There is a specific kind of diet that is recommended for water retention which forces the body to eliminate excess fluid.

Water retention can also be the result of a medical condition involving organs such as the liver, heart, or kidneys.

When an area of the body is not functioning properly, the body tends to retain fluid in that area of the body. The body becomes unable to eliminate fluid properly when certain medical conditions are present.

Standing for long periods of time causes fluids to pool in the legs, thus increasing water retention. Hot weather can also lead to fluid retention because the body is less efficient at removing fluid from the body. Certain medications can cause water retention as well, especially high blood pressure and steroid medications.

When you restrict energy intake suddenly in order to lose weight, the body is forced to store carbohydrates and break down protein in the muscles. Because both protein and carbohydrates hold water in their cells, a loss of these nutrients results in water loss during a rapid weight loss diet.

People who lose weight quickly often regain weight within a few weeks because the body is replenishing itself with water. There is higher risk of fluid retention for women because of varying hormone levels. Menopausal and premenstrual edema is caused by the effect of hormones on fluid balance.

The hormonal changes for women before the menstrual period also cause retention and may result in symptoms such as breast tenderness. Reducing Water Retention. One way to reduce water retention is by increasing potassium intake by eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits.

As a result, the more glycogen your body stores, the more water you take in. Sitting for long periods on cross-country flights or long road trips can cause water retention.

Your muscles contract from sitting too long. Your feet and legs may swell in response as fluid pools there. Water weight is not typically a cause for concern.

You can typically lose water weight using home remedies. Still, excess fluid build-up and swelling are sometimes signs of a severe health condition, such as heart, liver, or kidney disease.

See a healthcare provider if you have:. There are many possible causes of water weight, including eating a lot of salty and sugary foods, sitting for long periods, and taking certain medications.

Try these tips to help you get rid of that extra fluid. Some lifestyle changes might help. Try getting enough sleep, reducing your salt intake, and staying hydrated. Talk to a healthcare provider for additional help if water weight affects your quality of life and makes you uncomfortable.

Water weight and edema are sometimes signs of severe health conditions, such as congestive heart failure and DVT. You might require medications, like blood thinners or diuretics, to manage those illnesses.

NIH News in Health. When body parts swell. Tobias A, Ballard BD, Mohiuddin SS. Physiology, water balance. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; Moreb NA, Albandary A, Jaiswal S, et al.

Fruits and vegetables in the management of underlying conditions for COVID high-risk groups. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Brain basics: Understanding sleep. Solocinski K, Gumz ML. The circadian clock in the regulation of renal rhythms. J Biol Rhythms. Sodium in diet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sodium and health. Fernández-Elías VE, Ortega JF, Nelson RK, et al. Relationship between muscle water and glycogen recovery after prolonged exercise in the heat in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol. Fluid and electrolyte balance. Gerbino A, Russo D, Colella M, et al.

Int J Mol Sci. Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B6 - health professional fact sheet. Khadka S, Joshi R, Shrestha DB, et al. Amlodipine-induced pedal edema and its relation to other variables in patients at a tertiary level hospital of Kathmandu, Nepal.

J Pharm Technol. Hunter RW, Ivy JR, Bailey MA. J Physiol. Endocrine Society. Adrenal hormones. Raff H, Carroll T.

Cushing's syndrome: From physiological principles to diagnosis and clinical care. Sawicka-Gutaj N, Ziółkowska P, Wojciechowska K, et al. Eye symptoms in patients with benign thyroid diseases.

Sci Rep. Contraception: Do hormonal contraceptives cause weight gain? Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care IQWiG ; Tacani PM, Ribeiro Dde O, Barros Guimarães BE, et al. Characterization of symptoms and edema distribution in premenstrual syndrome. Int J Womens Health. Sawai A, Tochigi Y, Kavaliova N, et al.

MRI reveals menstrually-related muscle edema that negatively affects athletic agility in young women. PLoS One. Molnár AÁ, Nádasy GL, Dörnyei G, et al. The aging venous system: From varicosities to vascular cognitive impairment. Congestive heart failure.

Overweight people tend to retain more water because they consume more calories and as a result, tend to consume higher amounts of sodium which greatly contributes to water retention. Certain types of edema can result in moderate discomfort in the area where excess fluid accumulation occurs.

Carpal tunnel syndrome , morning stiffness and headaches may accompany the swelling. Water retention can also be mistaken for premenstrual syndrome or make existing premenstrual syndrome worse. Types of Water Retention. There are two extensive types of fluid retention. The first one is generalized oedema that is characterized by swellings all over the body.

The second type is the localized oedema that affects particular body parts. This condition is most common in the legs and feet, and can also affect the face, hand, and arm areas. This condition might be inherited or may be a result of an injury in the lymphatic vessels.

In this type of fluid retention, the symptoms consist of severe fatigue, discoloration of skin, heavy-swollen limb, and eventual deformity of the affected area.

Causes of Water Retention. Water retention is also linked to protein deficiency, anemia , and the high requirement for vitamin and supplement intake. There is a specific kind of diet that is recommended for water retention which forces the body to eliminate excess fluid.

Water retention can also be the result of a medical condition involving organs such as the liver, heart, or kidneys. When an area of the body is not functioning properly, the body tends to retain fluid in that area of the body. The body becomes unable to eliminate fluid properly when certain medical conditions are present.

Standing for long periods of time causes fluids to pool in the legs, thus increasing water retention. Hot weather can also lead to fluid retention because the body is less efficient at removing fluid from the body.

Certain medications can cause water retention as well, especially high blood pressure and steroid medications. When you restrict energy intake suddenly in order to lose weight, the body is forced to store carbohydrates and break down protein in the muscles.

Because both protein and carbohydrates hold water in their cells, a loss of these nutrients results in water loss during a rapid weight loss diet. People who lose weight quickly often regain weight within a few weeks because the body is replenishing itself with water.

There is higher risk of fluid retention for women because of varying hormone levels. Menopausal and premenstrual edema is caused by the effect of hormones on fluid balance. The hormonal changes for women before the menstrual period also cause retention and may result in symptoms such as breast tenderness.

Reducing Water Retention. One way to reduce water retention is by increasing potassium intake by eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits.

These foods contain nutrients that help prevent blood vessels from leaking fluid in the tissue spaces. Eating food high in potassium is recommended rather than taking potassium supplements. Aside from potassium, intake of Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine can also help.

Skipping junk food and cutting down on pizza, canned soups and cereals or any food that might have hidden salt ingredients in it are also necessary compromises. Reducing the consumption of high sodium foods is important because too much sodium in the blood can affect the tissues causing them to retain water.

Some doctors also recommend drinking herbal teas since tea also helps reduce water retention. Lastly, wearing compression stockings which applies high pressure to the ankles can also be effective.

When we sleep, our bodies efficiently undergo various metabolic processes to keep us running smoothly. High levels of sodium in the body can cause water retention. Limit processed foods like canned products, chips, crackers, and deli meats. Look for low-sodium options or choose the fresh option when possible.

Consider talking with your registered dietitian to design a supplement schedule that meets your needs. You might consider taking electrolytes and vitamins like potassium, magnesium, dandelion herb, and vitamin B6 to help your fluid status.

Water weight is not usually a cause for alarm, but in some cases, it can be a symptom of a severe underlying medical condition. Therefore, even for a mild case of water retention, it is beneficial to consult your medical doctor and registered dietitian nutritionist.

Some symptoms that indicate a need for prompt medical care include:. Water weight occurs when fluid collects in your tissues, typically due to lifestyle habits or underlying medical conditions.

Adjusting your diet is the fastest way to reduce water retention. Limit your sodium intake and eat carbohydrates in moderation. Water weight fluctuates more significantly and rapidly than weight gain from fat.

This is because weight changes from fat depend more on calorie intake. Continuous glucose monitoring can be a game-changer as you embrace your health. Signos works by providing users with real-time data so they can understand how their nutrition choices affect their overall health.

You know what they say— knowledge is power! Want to know if Signos is a good fit for you? Start by taking a quick quiz! Weight Loss: Which One Should You Aim For? Chelsea Rae Bourgeois is a registered dietitian nutritionist with several years of experience working in the clinical setting.

Once a track and field athlete on a competitive stage, she now finds joy in combining her passions as a health writer to help people embrace their wellness through nutrition and fitness. Please note: The Signos team is committed to sharing insightful and actionable health articles that are backed by scientific research, supported by expert reviews, and vetted by experienced health editors.

The Signos blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider.

Read more about our editorial process and content philosophy here. Take control of your health with data-backed insights that inspire sustainable transformation. Your body is speaking; now you can listen. Interested in learning more about metabolic health and weight management?

Copyright © Signos Inc. This product is used to measure and analyze glucose readings for weight loss purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent pre-diabetes, diabetes, or any disease or condition, nor is it intended to affect the structure or any function of the body.

Privacy Policy. How It Works. View Plans. Home How It Works FAQs Blog View Plans. Lose Water Weight: 6 Methods to Prevent Water Retention Water is an important component of the human body, but excess fluid can work against our health. Reviewed by Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RD.

Updated by. Science-based and reviewed. Weight Loss for Women. Healthy Lifestyle. Table of contents Example H2. Example H3. What is Water Weight? Why Should You Lose It? What Causes Water Weight? Multiple factors, including the following, can cause water retention: High Sodium Intake A diet rich in sodium causes the body to retain water to dilute the sodium levels in your system.

Sedentary Lifestyle A sedentary lifestyle is a common culprit for water retention. Poorly Functioning Lymphatic System The lymphatic system is most known for its role in delivering and reabsorbing lymphatic fluid that contains white blood cells that fight against bacteria in the bloodstream.

Menstrual Changes Unfortunately, premenstrual syndrome or PMS is attributed as one of the many causes of water weight gain. Medications Some medications, including drugs for high blood pressure, cancer, and depression, can cause an increase in water weight.

Be Strategic With Your Carbs Sometimes carbs get a bad rap, but, in reality, our bodies rely on carbohydrates for energy. Get Moving Physical activity can be an excellent option for those trying to lose water weight fast through natural remedies.

Get more information about weight loss, glucose monitors, and living a healthier life. The herbs for water retention treatment include parsley, horsetail, calyces, caraway, and black or green tea. The best herbs for edema have properties similar to diuretics or potassium.

They may either cause excretion or otherwise quicken how salt is flushed out from the body. These are some of the more common herbs used for edema treatment, as described by registered dietician Helen West. In the video below, Dr. Eric Berg discusses a number of these herbal diuretics for treating water retention, as well as uva ursi, garlic, and stinging nettle root, and how you can incorporate them into your routine.

The drugs for water treatment are usually diuretics, a type of medicine that increases urination. Diuretics are both prescribed and found over-the-counter. According to the Mayo Clinic, diuretics are classified into three categories. These are the related health conditions for water retention. Note that some common health conditions do not necessarily cause edema, but rather include edema and fluid retention as a symptom.

The diagram below indicates some of the serious health conditions that might be indicated by water retention. These are the conditions that affect water retention for humans, often causing stronger cases of edema, and classified according to the primary organ affected. Yes, physiologic reasons cause water retention.

Venous insufficiency is often caused by people either standing or sitting for long periods of time daily, or from chronic smoking, a poor diet, or a lack of exercise.

Venous insufficiency is associated with the appearance of varicose veins, pictured below, which often occur in the lower limbs as the extra fluid causes poor blood flow.

Yes, water retention can kill you. There is a greater likelihood that water retention will be fatal if it is left undiagnosed and untreated for an extended period of time.

The likelihood of death is dependent on the underlying causes of fluid retention. Patients with chronic kidney and cardiovascular diseases have a higher risk of fatality, especially if the water retention symptoms are significantly high or have worsened.

If you have a serious health condition that causes fluid retention, be sure to closely monitor the severity of your edema as that information is helpful in treating the underlying issue.

Scientists are unsure whether water retention can cause headaches, but headaches have been a reported symptom in those who reported suffering from water retention. No, water quality can not affect water retention, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA.

Most drinking water is completely safe to drink and no identified water contaminant has been shown to cause water retention.

So while it is possible that a contaminant in drinking water is contributing to fluid retention symptoms, it is highly unlucky as it has not yet been documented in research. Yes, drinking too much water can cause water retention, but this is very rare. If you overhydrate to the point of mild water intoxication, you may notice some edema-like swelling due to the excess fluid in the body.

This is discussed in further detail here by Dr. Amit Varma. Decreasing water intake should help to decrease the swelling if drinking too much is the cause of swelling.

It is likely that the fluid retention is due to another underlying cause, in which case decreasing water intake would not help and may even cause further harm. For this reason, it is important to always seek a medical diagnosis if you are worried about how much water is too much and experiencing symptoms of fluid retention.

A doctor can help find a solution that works for you. Decreasing water drinking cannot solve water retention in most cases. Decreasing water intake can solve the problem of water retention only if it was caused by overhydration or water intoxication.

Since dehydration is much more common across the population than overhydration, it is not advisable to decrease water intake in an attempt to treat edema or fluid retention unless specifically asked to do so by a doctor. Yes, water retention can cause extra weight on the body, but for those wondering how to lose water weight , the extra weight is easily lost once the water retention issue is treated.

Yes, PMS can cause water retention. Water retention is a common symptom of PMS premenstrual syndrome , as many people who menstruate experience hormonal changes before, during, and after their periods.

The hormonal changes affect the way fluid is stored in the body, often causing bloating in the stomach and abdomen. Heating pads may cause some relief for those with fluid retention caused by PMS. Talk to your gynecologist if your PMS symptoms like swelling and bloating are too severe, as it could be a sign of an endocrine or hormonal disorder.

Home Shop Iceberg water Environment Story Water guide Search. Menu Cart 0. Table of Contents What Are the Causes of Water Retention? What Are the Symptoms of Water Retention? How to Diagnose Fluid Retention?

What Are the Treatments for Water Retention? Controlling Salt Consumption 2.

Too much sodium , or salt, can cause immediate water retention. This is because the body needs to keep its sodium-to-water ratio balanced to function properly, so will hold on to water if too much salt is consumed. The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no more than 2, milligrams mg of sodium per day.

An average American will eat over 3, mg every day. Table salt is very high in sodium, but 70 percent of the sodium people consume is hidden in processed foods. These include cheese , cold meats, bread , frozen meals, soup mixes, and savory snacks. Natural foods, such as vegetables , nuts , and seeds, are very low in sodium.

Some foods can even reduce sodium levels, including bananas , avocados , and leafy vegetables. While counterintuitive, drinking water can actually reduce water weight. Dehydration can make the body hold on to extra water to make up for the lack of incoming water. Water also improves kidney function, allowing excess water and sodium to be flushed out of the system.

Adults should drink around 2 liters of water a day. Carbohydrates , or carbs, also cause the body to store extra water. When we eat carbs, the energy that we do not use right away is stored as glycogen molecules.

Each gram g of glycogen comes with 3 g of water attached. Cutting down on carbs is a quick way to use up the glycogen stores, which means that the water weight will also be reduced.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults need at least g of carbohydrates to function each day, but the average American diet includes much more than this. Common carbs include bread, rice , and pasta. Replacing some daily sources of carbs with high protein foods , such as lean meats, eggs , and soy products , can reduce the buildup of water weight.

Vitamin B-6 and calcium can be effective natural remedies for fluid retention. These supplements work with the kidneys to help the body flush extra water and sodium from the system. Studies show that these two supplements are very effective at relieving the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or PMS, including water retention.

They can also reduce abdominal bloating , swelling in the legs, and breast tenderness. It is best for someone to talk with a doctor before taking new supplements, as they can have side effects or interactions with other medications. Exercise lets the body sweat out extra water, which causes water weight.

A workout also stimulates blood flow and improves circulation, which can reduce fluid buildup throughout the body, especially in the legs and feet.

Exercise reduces water weight even more by burning through glycogen energy stores. However, replacing lost fluids is vital after any physical activity to avoid dehydration.

Water pills can treat mild fluid retention, as prescribed by a doctor. These pills work as diuretics , meaning they make a person urinate more often.

Urination lets the body get rid of excess water and sodium. Water pills are not recommended for long-term use. They should always be used as instructed by a doctor to avoid dehydration or mineral deficits. While you may not be a fan of the puffiness that accompanies fluid retention, water weight is perfectly normal.

In fact, the human body uses its fluid balance as a form of protection against dehydration. For example, if your body is storing extra fluid in the tissues surrounding your heart, your heart has to pump under the excess weight of that fluid.

Over time, that puts unnecessary stress on a highly essential organ. Other organs can suffer from chronic excess fluid. Anyone can experience fluid retention, but some lifestyle factors and underlying medical conditions can increase your risk.

Fluid retention can result from a high-sodium diet, menstruation, certain medications, poor circulation, and elevated cortisol levels.

Of course, edema can also result from underlying medical conditions such as heart failure, cirrhosis, kidney disease, obesity, and pregnancy. A diet rich in sodium causes the body to retain water to dilute the sodium levels in your system.

This increases the fluid in your cells and in your bloodstream. A sedentary lifestyle is a common culprit for water retention. Sitting or standing still for an extended period causes an unusual amount of fluid to build up in your tissues as gravity pulls blood toward your extremities.

Thankfully, movement helps to maintain good blood flow and circulation. So keep moving! However, when our capillaries are damaged, liquid can leak into the gaps between our cells, resulting in water retention.

The lymphatic system is most known for its role in delivering and reabsorbing lymphatic fluid that contains white blood cells that fight against bacteria in the bloodstream. A malfunctioning lymphatic system can translate to a disruption in water retention. Unfortunately, premenstrual syndrome or PMS is attributed as one of the many causes of water weight gain.

In addition, changes in sex hormones, including progesterone and estrogen, can cause bloating and puffiness in the days leading up to their period. Some medications, including drugs for high blood pressure, cancer, and depression, can cause an increase in water weight.

Some over-the-counter pain relievers can also increase the amount of water your body retains. Short of taking diuretic water pills, what can we do to lose excess fluids? Read on to find out how to reduce water weight. Sometimes carbs get a bad rap, but, in reality, our bodies rely on carbohydrates for energy.

And since research shows that every gram of glycogen is stored with at least three grams of water, excess carbohydrate intake can cause a build-up of water weight.

Try to choose nutrient-dense carbs and be mindful of your serving sizes. Physical activity can be an excellent option for those trying to lose water weight fast through natural remedies.

Any exercise that causes the body to sweat can help you quickly shed water weight. Working out increases your circulation and improves blood flow, helping to move water into your muscles to support their growth and recovery. It also helps burn off glycogen energy, which we know can help reduce water weight.

It sounds counterintuitive, but our bodies are brilliant machines. For example, if your body is constantly dehydrated, it will fight to retain fluids to prevent water levels from dropping dangerously low. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends a daily intake of approximately 3.

Potassium has many roles in the body, including maintaining intracellular fluid volume. Electrolytes counteract the effects of sodium to prevent fluid from building up while also increasing urine production. To support a healthy fluid balance, include potassium-rich foods like bananas, tomatoes, and avocados.

Sodium, a major component of salt, is an electrolyte that the human body needs in small amounts to maintain fluid balance and keep muscles and nerves operating smoothly. The body requires a delicate balance of sodium to water. Overeating salt skews the ratio and can result in rapid water retention.

The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting your sodium intake to less than 2, milligrams daily. In addition, be mindful of your dietary choices. Avoid processed foods as feasible, limit fast food, and opt for fresh, whole foods when possible.

Magnesium plays many roles in the human body. Good sources of magnesium include foods such as nuts, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, and dark chocolate. Not a fan of magnesium-rich foods?

No two bodies are the same, so the time it takes to lose water weight depends on a few factors. The rate at which we lose our water weight is influenced by how much water we retain, the cause behind the weight gain, and the methods we use to lose it.

But if you are retaining water after overindulging for a few weeks, it may take longer. Water weight gain occurs when our cells hold onto extra water, no matter how many calories we eat.

Fat gain, on the other hand, occurs when our calorie intake exceeds our energy output. To gain a pound of fat, you must consume an additional 3, calories than your baseline expenditure. The same goes for fat loss. You need to be in a 3,calorie deficit to lose a pound of fat.

Stay hydrated to keep your body from going into protective mode. Unused carbohydrates are stored as glycogen, accompanied by multiple water molecules. Show the heart some love! Give Today. Help us advance cardiovascular medicine. Find a doctor.

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