Water retention, medically referred to as edema, occurs when the body is unable to remove fluid from the tissues, including the skin. Individuals with this condition usually have a bloated and puffy feeling. Water retention can be caused by hormone changes, steroid use, hormone replacement therapies, or a high salt diet. If you are unable to relieve water retention symptoms at home, speak to your doctor to rule out any serious medical conditions that could be causing the problem.
Diet
The Mayo Clinic recommends making lifestyle changes, such as following a low salt diet to stop water retention. Steer clear of foods with high amounts of sodium such as table salt, soy sauce, lunch meats, canned vegetables, processed meals and fast food. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages since they can be dehydrating.
Exercise
In some people, excess fluid has a tendency to pool in the legs and feet. Participating in exercises that utilize the lower body can help move the fluid to other parts of the body, according to the Mother Nature website. Some examples of these exercises include walking, jogging, cycling, step aerobics, kickboxing, tennis and basketball.
Birth Control Pills
Ask your doctor to prescribe birth control pills that have lower estrogen levels, as high doses of estrogen can result in fluid retention and weight gain.
Calcium
Take a daily supplement of calcium to relieve premenstrual syndrome symptoms, including water retention. The Mayo Clinic recommends a daily intake of 1200 mg. In addition to the supplement, eat calcium rich foods such as orange juice, milk, cheese, beans, fortified cereals, nuts, tofu and green leafy vegetables.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
There are several OTC medications that work to stop water retention. PMS medications combine diuretics, pain relievers, caffeine and antihistamines to stop bloating, cramping and breast tenderness. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can also provide short-term relief from water retention. Over the counter diuretics, also referred to as water pills, are used to stop bloating. Drugs for water retention should only be used for a few days consecutively and not for long term relief unless advised by a doctor.
Drinking Water
If you are not drinking enough water, your body may retain water to compensate for inadequate fluid intake. According to Science Daily, you should base the amount of water you drink by your current weight. It suggests taking your weight and dividing it by two to determine the number of ounces of water to drink daily. For instance, if you weigh 150 lbs., aim to drink 75 oz. of water each day.
