Water retention is an uncomfortable symptom that can stem from a minor problem or a more serious disease. Mild water retention can cause you to feel heavy and sluggish, while a severe case of fluid retention, sometimes called edema, can affect vital organs, depending upon where the swelling occurs. If you are retaining water, see your doctor for a definitive diagnosis of the underlying cause.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Water retention can occur from nutritional deficiencies, such as lack of B vitamins. B vitamins aid in the distribution of fluids within your body. If your fluids are not being distributed properly, water retention occurs. This can affect your energy levels and neurological functions. According to Robert C. Oh and David L. Brown, writing in "American Family Physician," B12 deficiency can lead to depression and improper DNA synthesis. When DNA is functioning improperly, this leads to abnormal cell growth and tumors.
Nutritional deficiencies can be corrected through diet adjustments and supplements, if needed.
Heart and Kidney Problems
Serious health issues with your heart and kidneys will result in fluid retention in various parts of your body. Your legs and face are common locations for water retention from kidney problems.
When the kidneys are afflicted with disease, the pancreas does not always excrete the correct amount of sodium. The blood vessels then constrict, causing edema in the legs or fluid retention around the eyes. This fluid buildup affects your body's ability to filter and lowers your sodium levels. Sodium is necessary for normal heart functions and controls blood pressure. Too much sodium causes your blood pressure to rise, but not enough sodium results in poor circulation. This can lead to headaches, confusion, irritability and in more serious cases, stroke.
Breathing Problems
Pulmonary edema is the buildup of fluid in the lungs. This can occur from medications, pneumonia or heart problems. The fluid retention puts pressure on the pulmonary artery, causing the left side of the heart to fail. The fluid will also be seen in the legs and abdomen. Fluid also accumulates around the liver, causing liver failure. Water retention in this case can be fatal.
Expert Advice
According to MayoClinic.com, healthy adults can take 1,200 mg of calcium a day to try to reduce water retention. Daily magnesium, in a quantity of 200 mg to 400 mg, also may help ease symptoms in healthy adults without kidney problems.
Water retention also can be relieved by using diuretics. Your doctor may prescribe a diuretic to you if your problem is very severe.
