Lack of what hormones causes fluid retention. Foods that cause water retention in the body

Fluid retention in the body occurs for various reasons, and women experience it most often. As a rule, such manifestations occur due to changes in the level of hormones caused by the monthly cycle of a woman, due to disorders in the functioning of the kidneys, the abuse of foods with a high salt content, etc. The reasons that caused the appearance of an increased amount of fluid in the body can be many and not always they are harmless. Sometimes such a condition is a signal of the appearance of pathological abnormalities in the work of internal organs and systems, which should not be left without due attention. In order to prevent the further development of possible pathologies and get rid of edema, it is necessary to find out the causes of their appearance.

Causes of fluid retention in the body

The causes that caused edema in the body can be divided into two groups. The first of them, situational, refers to what is caused by improper living conditions in response to adverse circumstances. As a rule, after the elimination of these causes, the condition returns to normal and the swelling disappears without a trace. Chronic accumulation of water in the body is most often caused by various diseases, for the elimination of which it is necessary to take emergency measures. To find out what situations led to fluid retention, it is best to contact specialists. Sometimes it is enough to change your lifestyle and give up bad habits, as a result of which the swelling disappears. You can, of course, try to go the easier way and use diuretics bought at a pharmacy. But in this way it is possible to allow the further development of the disease, which is easier to cure in the initial stage. Even if there are no serious disorders in the body, uncontrolled intake of drugs with diuretic properties can cause addiction to them and wean the kidneys and diuretic system to independently control the situation and get rid of the accumulation of water.

Fluid retention in the body is possible due to insufficient water intake. The norm of water consumption for men should correspond to 2 liters. Women need to drink at least 1.5 liters daily. With existing deviations in the work of the kidneys, the amount of water drunk is discussed with the attending physician. But in all cases, we are talking about pure water, not including juices, fruit drinks or other liquids.

Another cause, the most common, may be dehydration caused by excessive sauna or exercise on simulators. It would seem that everything should happen the other way around, with intense sweating, water is lost, and fluid accumulation cannot occur. But under the circumstances that have arisen, the body is in a state of stress, and out of fear that in the future there will be not enough water, it begins to intensively store it for future use. As a result, water accumulates in the form of edema.

The causes of puffiness can be the abuse of hot spices, salty and smoked foods. Salt has the ability to retain water in the body, which is why when edema appears, it is necessary to refuse salt if possible. In addition to being able to retain water, the sodium in salt removes potassium, which the body needs for normal heart function. The accumulation of fluid can also occur due to passion for sweets and alcohol. In any case, by eliminating foods containing harmful substances from the diet and following a healthier diet, you will only benefit the body.

To eliminate edema, you can eat foods that have natural diuretic properties that can activate diuretic processes. Such products include cucumbers, celery leaves, sweet varieties of peppers, dill, green tea, buckwheat, tomatoes. Dried apples or their peels, which are brewed and drunk like tea, have a very good diuretic effect.

To serve as the cause of the accumulation of excess water in the body is capable of impaired metabolism due to lack of amino acids and vitamins. With a shortage of these substances, their absence is replaced by excess water. Particular attention should be paid to ensuring that the body has enough potassium, sodium and B vitamins. The body reacts quite sharply to their lack by starting to accumulate excess water. It is also necessary to make up for the lack of these substances for the reason that, by activating the processes of urination, the necessary substances in the form of potassium and sodium are washed out of the body along with the liquid. Therefore, taking vitamins in the fight against edema is of no small importance and helps the kidneys work.

When removing the accumulated fluid with the help of diuretics, it is necessary to replace it with plain water. A sign of sufficient fluid content and normal kidney function is urine, which should be light and transparent. The psycho-emotional state also affects the increase in fluid in the body, so it is better not to hold grudges in yourself and enjoy life more.

Edema can lead to a long state of immobility, for example, a sedentary lifestyle when working in the office, which lasts more than 8 hours, and often the lunch break takes place at the workplace. Poor blood circulation in this body position, especially in the legs and pelvic area, will almost certainly lead to the accumulation of excess fluid.

If, after eliminating all of the above situations, the appearance of edema does not decrease, it is necessary to consult a doctor. In addition to excess salt, a more serious situation may be the cause of fluid retention in the human body. Edema can be caused by allergic reactions of the body to a certain type of food, abnormalities in the functioning of the thyroid gland with a decrease in its functions, hormonal imbalance with a lack of necessary hormones, diseases of the kidneys, blood vessels, or the development of diabetes. To identify the condition that caused the swelling, you will need to undergo an examination and take tests.

Pathological causes leading to swelling

The accumulation of fluid in the body, from which he is not able to get rid of on his own, can appear due to a tumor. Its localization in certain places is capable of squeezing blood vessels and disrupting the natural processes of blood circulation. Disturbances in the outflow of lymph, caused by the same reasons, also lead to swelling of the legs, causing a disease in the form of elephantiasis. A serious reason for the violation of the water balance with the accumulation of fluid in the body is changes in protein metabolism, in which the body does not receive enough protein. This condition can occur with kidney disease, during starvation, as well as with liver disease.

Signs of excess fluid

The appearance of edema on the face, legs or other parts of the body brings undesirable changes in the appearance. However, this condition, in addition to the loss of attractiveness, brings significant harm to health. It is very unpleasant in the morning to see your reflection in the mirror with bags under your eyes, hinting at some kind of harmful addictions, although this is far from being true. Yes, and with shoes, too, there are some difficulties, your favorite shoes in the evening become small and simply do not fit on your feet. Loose rings on the fingers become impossible to remove not only in the evening, but also in the morning. In some cases, a lot of water in the body contributes to the appearance of shortness of breath, and also add extra centimeters to the waist. All these symptoms are evidence that the body, for some reason, is not able to get rid of excess water on its own, and too much of it accumulates. Usually women, faced with such problems, mistakenly try to limit their fluid intake.

How to identify swelling during pregnancy

Puffiness due to excessive accumulation of water may occur during pregnancy. The first signal is swelling of the ankles, which is easy to see from the trace of the gum on the socks. The more it is expressed, the more excess fluid accumulates. Another sign of edema, common to almost all pregnant women, is the appearance of puffiness of the face and eyelids. The detection of a large amount of fluid in the body of a pregnant woman can be determined by the appearance of a fossa from finger pressure, which cannot disappear for a long time.

The appearance of excess water is due to an increase in the volume of blood circulating in the body. Half of the weight that increases over the entire period of pregnancy is fluid. Fluid from the amniotic fluid and from the blood penetrates into the subcutaneous tissue and into the connective tissue. Water retention occurs due to the accumulation of sodium in the body of a pregnant woman, which, in turn, attracts water. Most often, swelling occurs in the later period, and its appearance in other trimesters indicates ongoing disorders, most often in the kidneys.

A woman who is expecting offspring may experience latent edema. Monitoring the state of the fluid is especially important, due to the fact that with excess water, not only the tissues of the pregnant woman, but also the placenta swell, which is unfavorable for the development of the fetus. In such cases, diet and special gymnastics can help, and severe edema can be eliminated by treatment in a hospital.

The appearance of excess fluid during menopause

During menopause, a deep hormonal restructuring occurs in the body, which is expressed by a lack of female hormones. Edema is not considered a severe manifestation of menopause, but their appearance should still alert. It is necessary to find out the reason that caused these changes in the state of the body, especially if, along with edema, there are some other symptoms of approaching menopause. Most often, such violations occur due to violations in the water-salt metabolism, since the accumulation of excess sodium leads to an increase in osmotic pressure and to the accumulation of a large volume of water. A characteristic feature of this condition is swelling of the legs, usually manifested in the evening or in hot weather.

Puffiness during this period can proceed secretly and not be clearly expressed, but manifest itself as heaviness and painful sensations in the legs, which intensify in the evening. It should be borne in mind that the appearance of puffiness during menopause is primarily evidence of metabolic disorders involving potassium and sodium. If this signal of the body is left without due attention, then subsequently such a violation threatens with the occurrence of arterial hypertension and kidney disease.

The appearance of edema in menopause can be a symptom of other pathologies that cause fluid accumulation. This can be manifested by a serious pathology of the kidneys, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, endocrine diseases. Excess water can occur with the use of certain drugs containing hormones, antihypertensive drugs used for hypertension, and antidepressants.

The appearance of edema before menstruation

Many women before the onset of critical days experience the appearance of a sensation of a large amount of fluid present in the body - the so-called premenstrual syndrome in the form of its edematous form. After the menstruation ends, the presence of fluid returns to normal and the swelling disappears. This condition is corrected with the help of specially designed drugs. In cases where swelling before menstruation is too pronounced and is present monthly, you need to make sure that there are no diseases. A chronic increase in fluid before menstruation may be evidence of diseases that occur secretly. The most common case of edema in this situation is the lack of female hormones.

What to do to eliminate edema

There is an opinion that to reduce swelling, you need to limit fluid intake, especially in the evening before going to bed. But in healthy people, drinking water at night does not cause any swelling. If, however, there is an accumulation of fluid in the form of bags under the eyes, swelling of the legs, it is necessary to identify the causes of such a change in the state of health and try to get rid of them. First you need to find out if there are external situations that affect the fact that excess water is not excreted and settles in the subcutaneous layer in the form of edema. If the edema affects the face to a greater extent, a kidney examination should be performed. It may be necessary to begin to follow a more strict diet with salt restriction, reducing the sodium content in this case significantly helps in eliminating edema.

It will help to remove edema during menopause by eliminating the imbalance of hormones, for which replacement therapy methods are used using preparations containing the necessary hormones. The use of phytoestrogens will also help maintain the required level of female sex hormones, which contributes to the state when excess water will go away.

The water balance depends not only on the water you drink, but also on its excretion. This balance can be disturbed by the use of foods that can provoke a delay in the excretion of fluid from the body.

Fluid retention in the body is a serious problem, as a result of which the human body works with a very heavy load. The reasons that lead to the occurrence of water retention: genetic pathologies, somatic diseases, violation of the water regime, irrational nutrition with a high salt content.

Importance of water balance

One of the important components that provide a sufficient amount of fluid in the body is maintaining a balance of water consumption, its intake (proper drinking regimen).

For a day, a person needs 30-50 ml of fluid for every kilogram of body weight. The amount of liquid may vary slightly depending on the ambient temperature, season, health status. The more water is removed through sweat, the more you need to drink to maintain balance in the body.

The water balance depends not only on the water drunk, but also on its excretion, which is carried out by the excretory system, sweat glands. This balance can be disturbed by the use of products that can provoke a delay in the removal of fluid from the tissues of the body, which leads to the appearance of edema, functional disruption of the organs, and, as a result, to the development of diseases.

Foods retain fluid

Foods high in salt, creatine, coffee, some drugs, milk, cottage cheese, toxic substances, and alcohol delay the removal of water from body cells.

Retains water in the body sodium chloride, which is a supplier of ions necessary for normal life. Lack of salt is harmful to the body, but its excess is also dangerous. Many foods contain salt, even if they don't taste salty (% DV).

Flour products and cereals (2-14%): corn flakes; Rye bread; wheat; oat flakes.
Meat and fish (2.5-2.7%): fish; veal; pork; beef.
Dairy products (1-6%): cheese (26-27%); cow's milk; cottage cheese.
Vegetables (1-9%): beets; potato; red cabbage; green peas; tomatoes.
Greens (1-3%): celery; spinach. Champignons, mushrooms (2.5-15%). Eggs (3-4%). Nuts (0.6%).
Fruits, berries (0.6%): bananas; oranges, almonds; dates.
Pickles, pickled, canned vegetables, fruits (1400-2400).

Too much salt

in products containing dyes, preservatives: sausages, crackers, sausages, smoked meats, chips, mayonnaise, fast foods;
in sweet teas and coffee (excess insulin retains water);
in alcoholic beverages.

Sauerkraut

One of the most delicious and vitamin foods is sauerkraut. But with some diseases, cabbage can not be consumed. It is contraindicated in high blood pressure, kidney disease. Sauerkraut can cause edema or a hypertensive crisis, the reason is a large amount of salt, almost 800 mg per hundred grams.

Daily salt intake

The daily dose of table salt, according to doctors, is about two and a half grams. This is the amount of salt that is found in food (hidden) and the salt that is added to cooked food. More salt will actively retain water, exacerbate pathologies such as hypertension, coronary disease, and diabetes mellitus.

Such patients are advised to reduce salt intake to one and a half grams per day. The daily norm of salt can be obtained from food, especially if their packaging says: E 401, E 301, E 500, E 211, E 331, E 524, E 485, E 339, that is, table salt.

Creatine and water excretion

Creatine is an organic compound partially synthesized in the body. Creatine is found in fish and meat. Creatine is used as a relatively harmless sports supplement that increases endurance and promotes muscle growth. But an excess of the supplement, more than 25 g per day, is undesirable. Creatine causes a delay in the excretion of urine from the body.

Although outwardly edema is not visible, but creatine can retain up to two liters of water, but it is impossible to drive it using diuretics (diuretic drugs). It is also contraindicated to reduce the drinking regimen, since creatine causes dehydration of the body due to the absorption of water by the muscles. On the contrary, you need to drink up to three liters of water to restore the water balance.

The effect of coffee on water balance

The physiological effect of coffee depends on many factors. If you drink more than 3 cups of coffee, then the diuretic effect is provided; if less, coffee retains water in the body. Sweet drinks also work - with an excess of sugar in coffee, the diuretic properties of the drink increase. The reasons why pregnant women are not recommended to drink coffee - it causes swelling, increased blood pressure.

Studies conducted by scientists and doctors have shown why milk, ice cream, cottage cheese, yogurt cause fluid retention in the body. Reasons: when they are used, the secretion of insulin in the body sharply increases, insulin increases the production of the adrenal hormone (aldosterone), which delays the excretion of sodium salts. It is useful to consume dairy products immediately after physical training in order to quickly restore performance.

Toxins and water retention

Alcohol, other toxins, or drugs cause water retention, as water dissolves these poisons, reducing negative effects on the body.

Liquid removal products

Actively remove fluid from the body products, which are listed below.

Fruits (watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, viburnum). With kidney stones, these fruits should be used carefully so as not to cause an exacerbation.
Tomatoes, asparagus, cabbage, lettuce. Not only help the excretion of water, but contribute to the elimination of toxins, accelerate metabolism.
Buckwheat, greens, bell pepper, zucchini, pumpkin, beets.
Diuretic teas from chamomile, chicory, centaury, lingonberry and blueberry leaves.

Vitamins and fluid excretion

Hypovitaminosis, a lack of the necessary microelements can lead to a delay in the excretion of water. Therefore, it is desirable that in the daily diet there are such products:

red beef meat, bananas, salmon, salmon containing vitamins B6;
fruits, low-fat dairy and lactic acid products with vitamins B, D;
citrus fruits, greens, spinach, containing trace elements magnesium, potassium.

The best way to help get rid of excess fluid, toxins, is clean water. Not juices, fresh juices, compotes, teas containing fruits, honey, sugar, which are a complete food, but pure water is good for the body. You can drink bottled non-carbonated water, environmentally friendly, water from mineral springs.

Some doctors and nutritionists say that if you freeze water, you can get structured water that has a beneficial effect on the human body. The greatest diuretic and detoxifying effect can be obtained by drinking warm water in the morning.

Prevention of fluid accumulation

Drink at least two liters of water a day.
Reduce the amount of salt and sugar, or eliminate their consumption altogether. Sugar can be replaced with fruits, natural honey.
Adhere to a rational and proper diet, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, lactic acid products.
Eat dried fruits, raisins, nuts, dark chocolate (in small quantities).
Do not forget that doing physical exercises is useful, and walking in the air speeds up metabolism, leads to more active diuresis.
Do not use diuretic drugs without a doctor's prescription, so as not to cause dehydration of the body.

Compliance with the correct drinking regimen, reducing the diet of foods that retain water is the protection of the body from many diseases.

Excess water in the body is a rather serious condition, regardless of its cause and form. Edema is a visible factor that almost always indicates the presence of a disease existing in the body. The most common causes of edema are diseases of the heart and kidneys, allergic reactions of the body, endocrine diseases, and disturbances in the functioning of the lymphatic system.

The full functioning of the body is possible only with appropriate concentrations of water, minerals and salts in its tissues. Particles of salts and minerals are dissolved in the interstitial fluid in the form of electrolytes and participate in all metabolic processes.

A young and healthy body has a high water content in the cells, due to which there is an intensive water exchange. This allows you to maintain a constant concentration and composition of electrolytes in the interstitial fluid.

Aging and disease of the body, on the contrary, is characterized by fluid loss and dehydration due to a number of age-related changes or the nature of the disease. A change in the concentration of electrolytes leads to a pathological increase in fluid in the intercellular space, and edema appears. Depending on the nature of the occurrence of edema, they are usually classified into local and general.

Local. They are localized in the area of the damaged organ or in a certain area of the vascular bed. They develop as a result of disruption of the lymphatic system and with venous disease. They can also appear with an allergic reaction to foods, drugs and cosmetics. It is not difficult to diagnose such edema. Modern methods of diagnosis and treatment allow you to accurately determine the cause of local edema and prescribe competent therapy.
Are common. They are a visible manifestation of the underlying disease. This is an alarm signal of the body, informing about the need to pay attention to the functioning of the cardiovascular system, the functioning of the kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract. Fluid with general swelling is distributed in the body according to the law of gravity. That is, when a person is sitting, it accumulates in the lower extremities and in the pelvic region, and when lying down, it accumulates on the arms and face.

Diagnosis of general edema is a rather complicated process, and it consists in identifying a connection with the underlying disease. In medical practice, most often you have to deal with edema caused by heart failure. Much less often, edema associated with damage to the kidneys and liver can be observed. Recently, there has been a tendency to develop edema due to malnutrition and insufficient protein content in the human diet.

Causes of water retention in the body

Water retention in the body can also occur in healthy people. The most common causes: heat, improperly selected shoes, excessive fluid intake due to poor nutrition, tired legs after a long load. These edema are temporary, quickly removed and are not a consequence of the pathological state of the body.

In addition to these reasons, the formation of fluid retention may be due to congenital or acquired diseases of the body. Often, the appearance of puffiness is caused not by one, but by a number of reasons. Therefore, the study and elimination of fluid stagnation should be provided by complex therapeutic methods. The table shows the causes of water retention in the body, their clinical symptoms and diseases that could provoke edema.

Cause of edema	underlying disease	Fluid retention in the body symptoms	Note. Fluid retention in the body. What to do to eliminate
Kidney dysfunction	Glomerulonephritis, polycystic disease, urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, renal hypertension	It occurs mainly on the face, in places of accumulation of loose subcutaneous fat: in the eyelids and lips. Further, the edema spreads to the lumbar region, abdominal wall, and extremities.	It can also occur in a healthy person after sleep. All signs disappear within one to two hours. The cause of edema may lie in an excessive amount of fluid consumed the day before or in the wrong position of the head during sleep.
Violation of the heart	Chronic heart failure	Edema begins to spread from the lower extremities and, as the volume of fluid increases, it passes into the abdominal cavity, where it penetrates into the internal organs and accumulates there.	Requires mandatory medical attention.
Improper diet and insufficient amount of protein food	Anorexia, pancreatitis, bowel disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis	Develops like edema associated with impaired kidney function	In most cases, requires clinical investigation and long-term treatment
Premenstrual syndrome	Endocrine diseases	Water retention in the body is not pronounced. There are slight swelling in the ankle area. Weight increases	The level of fluid in the body returns to normal after the cessation of menstruation. Premenstrual syndrome is a pathology and therefore requires timely diagnosis and treatment.
Phlebeurysm	Varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, phlebitis, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis	There is heaviness and pain in the lower extremities. Fluid retention is most often asymmetric	May result in the development of trophic erosions, ulcers. Requires consultation with a phlebologist

Fluid retention in a woman's body

Women more often than men suffer from non-pathological accumulation of excess fluid in the body. This is due to the use of low-protein diets and natural hormonal changes. The most common causes of fluid retention in a woman's body:

To ensure the full functioning of the body, the human diet must contain a balanced amount of mineral and organic substances. Imbalance can provoke various violations of metabolic processes. Increased intake of potassium, calcium, and acidic foods stimulates fluid excretion. Eating alkaline foods has the opposite effect. can lead to severe fluid loss. And diets that are based on a high content of carbohydrates retain fluid in the body and increase overall weight.

The choice of diet for the treatment of edema depends on the reasons for which they arose. When compiling a diet, it is necessary to focus on the list of recommended and allowed products. This list looks like this:

Pickles, smoked meats, strong and fatty broths, carbonated drinks, fatty meats, pastries and cakes, beans should be removed from the diet. These products have a bad effect on the clinical picture of edema.

Meals must be fractional and consist of 5-6 meals. The amount of fluid is regulated by the doctor and depends on the underlying disease that caused the swelling.

Folk remedies for the treatment of edema

Medicinal plants have a whole range of biologically active substances and are successfully used to treat edema. The effectiveness of plants is increased by compiling fees that comprehensively affect the course and development of the disease. The following diuretic and decongestant phytopreparations are currently used:

Therapeutic baths for removing fluid

Medicinal baths are widely used in the treatment of edema. The procedure is carried out at night for 20 minutes. The recommended temperature should be slightly below natural body temperature. One course of treatment should account for 7 to 10 procedures performed daily. Medicinal plants for baths:

a decoction of spruce and pine branches and cones;
infusion of birch leaves, sage and knotweed;
a decoction of hay dust and oat straw;
infusion of horsetail herb.

Effective therapy for edema is possible only if the root cause that provoked the accumulation of fluid is eliminated. Treatment of edema, as an independent disease, does not make practical sense. And any improvement will be temporary without proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease.

The accumulation of fluid in the body can be observed for various reasons, but excess water causes serious health complications. First of all, this negatively affects weight, a person begins to rapidly gain extra pounds, he may experience severe swelling of the legs and arms. Needless to say, what difficulties a person experiences in the presence of these signs. For this reason, you need to know how to get rid of excess fluid in the body. If suddenly you begin to notice permanent swelling in yourself, then you should immediately consult a doctor who can conduct an examination and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Reasons for the accumulation of water in the body

Fluid retention in the body can occur for various reasons. But any of them will cause the appearance of severe swelling of the tissues.

Causes of fluid retention in the body can be as follows:

the presence of pathologies of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system;
the occurrence of hormonal imbalance;
features of the menstrual cycle in women;
insufficient fluid intake;
increased consumption of diuretic drinks;
the use of a large amount of salt;
slow metabolism, which is associated with insufficient activity;
working conditions in which you have to constantly be in a sitting position.

Excess fluid in the body usually occurs due to the presence of health problems. For this reason, it is not recommended to start withdrawing it yourself, it is best to first find out the main reason for its delay. Removal of water is recommended after the identification of the underlying disease leading to its accumulation., and this process must be carried out according to the recommendations of the attending physician.

Only healthy people can remove water from the body on their own. Moreover, if the main problem lies in malnutrition or insufficient physical fitness.

What hormones cause water accumulation

Hormone-dependent fluid retention in the body is the occurrence of excess water due to menstrual irregularities. There is a violation of the hormonal background, which is accompanied by an increase in body weight and the formation of edema.

When the menstrual cycle is disturbed, fluid in the body is delayed, because there is a conflict between the hormone progesterone, which ensures the removal of excess water and salts, and aldosterone and adiuretin, these are hormones that prevent dehydration.

Often this condition occurs during the period of bearing a child:

sodium retention occurs in the kidneys, and the blood vessels cannot get rid of the fluid. As a result, it penetrates into the intercellular space;
this process occurs from top to bottom, so the main effect is on the area of \u200b\u200bthe feet.

Hormone-dependent stagnation of fluid in the body can occur in women during the period of use of hormonal contraceptives in conjunction with drugs that include the hormone estrogen.

Sometimes water retention in the body occurs during menopause.. The main reason for this process during this period may be the presence of an increased level of sodium ions. During therapeutic therapy, it is necessary to regulate the state of the hormonal background with the help of special therapeutic treatment, and the use of vitamin preparations is also prescribed.

If suddenly an excess of fluid appears in the body, many immediately begin to take emergency action and simply stop drinking fluid, which is strongly not recommended, because this can greatly worsen the condition. In no case should you make such a decision on your own, all actions should be discussed with your doctor.

Some with the appearance of edema immediately begin to use diuretics. These actions are often taken without the knowledge of a specialist, which can be harmful to health.

The use of drugs causes fluid deficiency, because they can remove not only excess water, but also useful.

How to recognize the disease by the type of edema

You can understand that there is a lot of water in the body by characteristic signs. The main sign that there may be excess fluid in the body is the occurrence of severe edema in a certain part of the body, and a person may also feel severe discomfort and fatigue.

But how to determine why there was an excess of water in the body? Usually this condition indicates serious disorders in the body. How to determine the type of disease by edema yourself? The table below shows the places of edema for each type of disease.

Type of edema	Symptoms
Various pathologies of the kidneys	The presence of swollen eyelids and bags under the eyes. These symptoms usually appear in the morning and disappear in the evening.
Disorders of the cardiovascular system	There is swelling of the legs in the evening, frequent heartbeat, shortness of breath.
Allergy	In this condition, there is a noticeable swelling of a certain area of the body. In the area of edema, there may be a noticeable blanching of the skin. There is also a state of anxiety and difficulty breathing. To the touch, the edema has an elastic structure.
Diseases of the endocrine system	The presence of swelling of the tongue, shoulders. Fatigue, loss of strength, weight gain.
Varicose veins	A state of heaviness in the legs. The veins become very inflamed, dilated, there is a feeling of itching and convulsions.

Excess fluid can cause many problems, so it is important to know how to get rid of it without harm to health. But this can be done in cases where its increase is not caused by serious diseases:

It is necessary to limit the consumption of drinks containing alcohol.
It is necessary to adhere to a balanced diet. It is worth excluding foods with a high content of salt from your menu, as well as fried, smoked, fatty, high-carbohydrate dishes. You should consult with your doctor, he can prescribe the observance of fasting days.
The menu is recommended to include products that normalize the water balance in the body. These products include watermelon, nettle, sorrel, celery. But watermelon should not be consumed every day, because this berry has a pronounced diuretic effect. It can be eaten on fasting days, as well as to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins in a short period.
You need to drink about 1.5-2 liters of water per day. At night, about 3 hours before bedtime, you should limit your water intake. Gradually, the body will adjust to a normal mode and stop storing fluid.
Be sure to move often. Even if the work takes place in a sitting position, it is necessary to take small breaks for 15 minutes, during which it is recommended to warm up.
Taking a contrast shower will speed up the process of removing excess fluid from the body. Alternating water changes will speed up the process of blood circulation and increase the immune system. Contrast baths are often used to eliminate swelling of the legs.
Salt baths. The bath should be filled with water with a temperature of 38 degrees, then 200 grams of salt and baking soda are poured into it. Take a bath for 20 minutes. After that, it is recommended to cover yourself with a warm blanket for 30 minutes. Then take a shower. Be sure not to eat anything two hours before the procedure.
It is recommended to visit saunas and baths regularly. In saunas or baths, there is an active removal of excess fluid, strengthening the cardiovascular system.
You should wear comfortable shoes. Tight shoes and high heels cause varicose veins to develop.
A good way to actively remove fluid from the body is to use the menu that is used on fasting days. Within 1-2 days, you can use the unloading system, which will help get rid of edema for a long period. Pumpkin juices, tea with milk, oatmeal boiled in water, low-fat kefir help well.
The use of vitamin complexes. Lack of vitamin B and magnesium causes increased accumulation of fluid in the body. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the level of these vitamins.
The use of massages These procedures improve the blood circulation process, have a relaxing effect, and also reduce the concentration of stress hormones in the body, which cause the accumulation of fluid in the body.

Liquid removal products

If fluid is poorly excreted from the body, then it is recommended to use special products that cause active excretion of water:

watermelon. This berry has a diuretic and cleansing effect on the body. It can also be replaced with cucumbers, melons. These components can be consumed once a week on fasting days. This will help cleanse the kidneys and remove excess water;
Birch juice. This natural drink is able to remove not only water, but also various harmful components;
must drink green tea. This drink helps to actively cleanse the body of toxins, and it is also necessary for fluid retention;
rice and oatmeal. These types of cereals cause the rapid removal of excess fluid from the body. For example, the composition of rice cereals includes an increased level of potassium, which causes the active removal of water. For this reason, this product is used by many athletes when drying before competition;
fruits and vegetables. It is recommended to use them fresh. Fresh vegetables and fruits contribute to the rapid restoration of salt balance in the body;
zucchini and cabbage. They have a diuretic effect, and also actively remove fluid from the body. At the same time, these ingredients restore the required level of elements such as copper, potassium, iron;
it is worth drinking as much carrot and beet juice as possible. These drinks will not only remove excess water, but also replenish the body with the necessary vitamins and strengthen the immune system.

How to eliminate swelling during pregnancy

Edema often occurs in women during pregnancy, especially in the feet. This is the result of an active restructuring of the body, which causes fluid retention.. There is nothing dangerous, but often swelling can provoke discomfort, discomfort, and sometimes it can also negatively affect the development of the child.

In order to reduce or completely eliminate swelling, it is recommended to do the following:

First of all, it is recommended to normalize your diet. It is worth limiting the use of salt, canned, pickled, smoked foods. It is advisable to consume as much fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.
It is recommended to consume citrus fruits, but in moderation. A day you can drink 1 glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or eat 1-2 oranges.
You can use diuretics, but not drugs. Pregnant women are shown to introduce natural products with a diuretic effect into their diet.- apples, carrots, strawberries, zucchini and others.
Sometimes you can drink herbal infusions, but before using them, you should consult your doctor. The thing is that some herbs have contraindications and can cause side effects.

The use of folk remedies

What to do if swelling appears? The first step is to identify the underlying cause of these symptoms.. If this condition is not caused by serious disorders, then homemade herbal remedies can be used. But it is better to consult a doctor first, because some herbs have contraindications.

The water balance can be adjusted using the following herbal recipes:

A decoction of chamomile. Chamomile has a high level of beneficial properties, and also removes excess fluid from the body. For a decoction, 50-70 grams of chamomile leaves are required, which are poured with 500 ml of water. The mixture should be kept in a water bath for about 30 minutes. After the broth has cooled, you need to drink ½ cup before meals.
Leaves and cranberries. 50 grams of the mixture is poured into a glass and poured with hot water. Let stand for about an hour. It is recommended to drink 1 tbsp. after meal.
Decoction of birch leaves. 2 tablespoons of leaves are poured into a glass of hot water. The broth is infused for about an hour. Then the broth is filtered and a pinch of soda is added to it. You should take 1 tsp. 2-3 times a day.

You can get rid of excess fluid in the body on your own, but only if its accumulation is not caused by serious pathologies. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations and eat the right food. But it is better to undergo an examination first, because a large amount of water may be due to serious diseases that only a specialist can cure.

Edema occurs due to fluid retention in the body. Sometimes the cause of this process is heart or kidney disease, but this is not always the case. In most cases, malnutrition and misunderstanding of its principles lead to swelling. The use of many foods contributes to the accumulation of fluid in tissue cells. "Popular about health" will tell you which foods retain water in the human body, and which contribute to its removal. Having received this information, you will be able to control the water-salt balance of your body.

What is electrolyte balance?

Many substances enter the body every day - these are various minerals, trace elements that perform their role. One important group of substances is electrolytes. These include sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium. They are direct participants in the exchange processes. If a person receives less of these substances, or vice versa, consumes them in excess, then an imbalance of electrolytes occurs.

Sodium and potassium - these substances regulate water-salt metabolism. How? Sodium promotes the accumulation of water in the cells of the body, and potassium - the removal of its excess.

It turns out that if a person consumes a lot of sodium, edema appears, the same problem occurs when there is not enough potassium in the body. So, we figured out why the fluid lingers in the tissues of the body. But there is another reason, we will consider it further.

What retains water in the human body?

How does insulin cause water retention in cells??

Elevated insulin levels also lead to edema. How? Insulin promotes the synthesis of a hormone called aldosterone, which causes the accumulation of sodium salts in tissues, and this element, as we have already found out, retains water. What causes insulin to rise? Due to excessive consumption of foods with a high glycemic index (GI). It turns out that two food groups contribute to water retention in humans:

2. Having a high GI.

We suggest you consider each group separately.

Foods high in salt (sodium chloride)

Now we will consider only those foods that contain sodium chloride in their raw form. These include:

Cereal crops.
Legumes (beans, peas, lentils).
Eggs.
Milk.
Fish, shrimp, squid.
Meat.
Celery.

Such food itself contains a small amount of salt, without human intervention. However, food manufacturers do their part in consumer nutrition - they add sodium in various forms to food to prevent it from spoiling or enhance taste. Sodium chloride derivatives include the following food additives:

1. Soda.
2. Sodium glutamate.
3. Sodium benzoate and others.

Most derivatives of sodium salts are found in such foods:

Sausage.
Canned food.
Smoked products.
Semi-finished products - sausages, dumplings.
Cheese.
Canned vegetables (including home-cooked).
Sauces, mayonnaise.
Various snacks.
Fast food.
Seasonings.

All these products retain water in the body, since they contain pure salt or sodium derivatives in excess. Now consider the second food group.

Foods that retain water in the body with a high GI

Not only food enriched with salt causes edema, but also food that increases blood sugar levels. Insulin stimulates the release of a hormone that is responsible for retaining fluid in the cells of the body. Consider the list of high GI foods that increase insulin levels:

1. Sweets, chocolate, pastries, cakes.
2. Baking, buns.
3. Cookies.
4. Bread.
5. Dried fruits.
6. Potatoes.
7. Beer.
8. Sweet soda.
9. Sweet coffee.

It is worth noting that dairy products with a high fat content, such as sour cream, fermented baked milk, cream, also contribute to the production and release of the hormone aldosterone, which means they can cause tissue swelling.

Why does alcohol retain water in humans??

In fact, alcohol acts as a diuretic, but why then does the body swell after drinking it? It would seem strange. Yes, alcohol removes fluid from the body in large quantities, and, along with water, electrolytes and useful minerals are also removed, the salt balance is disturbed. To neutralize the effects of toxins, the liver needs a lot of water. Therefore, the body begins to intensively store it. All the liquid drunk after a drunken feast accumulates in the cells, and edema is formed.

Water prevents fluid retention

Do not be surprised, indeed, if you use more pure water, there will be no edema. On the contrary, lacking fluid, our body begins to make reserves so that the internal organs can fully work. If you drink more pure non-carbonated water, as well as eliminate or reduce the use of the products that we talked about above, you can avoid swelling.

What retains fluid in the body, we figured out, is food that contains a lot of salt, high GI, carbonated sweet drinks, beer, alcohol. If you are suffering from swelling, review your diet, remove all unnecessary and increase your water intake. If this does not help, then it is worth looking for the cause of the fluid retention in another. It may be necessary to check the condition of the heart and kidneys.