The University of Maryland Medical Center defines water retention as swelling caused by large amounts of fluid in the circulatory system or the spaces between the cells of the body's tissues. Depending on the cause of water retention, this symptom can cause facial bloating, shortness of breath, abdominal bloating, muscle aches and swollen limbs. Anyone who experiences severe water retention should consult a physician.
Pregnancy
Protein usually helps keep fluid inside the blood vessels instead of between the spaces of the cells. Pregnant women have a lower concentration of protein in the blood and an increased amount of fluid volume, according to PregnancyToday. This results in water retention that affects the feet and ankles. Normal pregnancy swelling usually improves with elevation of the feet. Preeclampsia, a disease that affects pregnant women, also causes water retention. This disease also causes high blood pressure, headaches, vision changes and the accumulation of protein in the urine.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver refers to scarring of the liver tissue. This interferes with the normal structure and growth of the cells in this organ. As a result, the liver does not function as well as it should and the blood does not flow properly from the intestine to the liver. Water retention occurs in cirrhosis because the damaged liver cannot produce albumin in sufficient amounts. Albumin, a protein, keeps fluid in the blood vessels. Decreased albumin levels result in fluid seeping from the blood vessels into the tissues of the abdomen and legs.
Kidney Disease
The kidneys regulate the amount of water and sodium in the blood by retaining fluid or excreting excess fluid. When kidney disease damages the kidneys, these organs do not function properly. The damaged kidneys no longer regulate fluid levels properly, so water builds up in the feet, ankles and legs.
Congestive Heart Failure
In the normal circulatory system, blood leaves the heart via the arteries and returns to the heart via the veins. In someone with congestive heart failure, the blood flow out of the arteries slows down, causing the blood returning to the heart to back up. This results in the pooling of blood in the tissues, which causes water retention. Water retention caused by congestive heart failure affects the legs, lungs and ankles. The Ohio State University Medical Center College of Medicine School of Biomedical Science reports that 90 percent of hospitalizations for congestive heart failure patients occur because of water retention problems.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema, also called lymphatic obstruction, occurs when lymphatic fluid accumulates in the spaces between cells. Lymph fluid contains white blood cells, which fight infection by attacking bacteria. According to the National Lymphedema Network, lymphatic obstruction occurs as the result of surgery, radiation therapy and medical conditions such as lymphangioma and hemangioma. The water retention caused by lymphedema affects the arms, legs and other parts of the body.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Edema
- PregnancyToday: Pregnancy Swelling: Not So Swell
- Ohio State University Medical Center College of Medicine School of Biomedical Science: Diuretic May Not Be Best Way to Reduce CHF Water Retention
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Cirrhosis
- University of California Berkeley Department of Molecular & Cell Biology: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
