Water retention is an annoying, uncomfortable ailment that can be eliminated. It can be a result of premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, medical conditions, medication side effects or simply consuming too much salt. With the help of your doctor you can rule out or treat an underlying condition, then prevent future problems by making lifestyle changes. One way to prevent future water retention is to keep salt intake to no more than 2,400 mg daily.
Step 1
Skip the salt. Excess salt can lead to bloating. The Mayo Clinic advises avoiding soy sauce, canned vegetables, soups and deli meats if you're retaining water.
Step 2
Take a supplement. About 1,200 mg of calcium a day or 200 to 400 mg of magnesium may reduce water retention, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Consider taking a diuretic, or water pill, if other methods haven't worked. These will cause you to urinate more than usual. They also cause the body to lose potassium, so you may need a supplement.
Step 4
Try a natural remedy. Asparagus, green tea, dandelion, beets and parsley are natural diuretics, according to Dr. Jennifer Shu, at CNN.
Step 5
Work out to get rid of water weight. Exercise helps to flush the water out of your system, according to Dr. Shu.
Step 6
Try massage, acupuncture or cold or hot compresses. Some people recommend these treatments for water retention.
Step 7
See a doctor if your water weight is recurring. A medical condition may be to blame.
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