Water retention can vary in its severity, depending on its cause. Some women naturally retain water as a result of fluctuating hormone levels. In other cases, slight water retention is only a minor concern. But when you start retaining water after exercise, the consequences can be much more dire, even life-threatening. Determining the cause of your retention can help you treat this development and prevent complications from arising.
Identification
Individuals suffering from water retention may experience swelling in various body parts immediately after their weight exercise. Stiffness and aches in your joints are common, and you may experience rapid weight gain or fluctuations in your weight over the course of several days or even weeks. In some cases, your skin will hold an indent for a longer period of time when poked by a finger or other small object, although this does not always occur in people with water retention.
Possible Causes
Sodium -- a necessary mineral that binds with water molecules -- can cause water retention if the body has a high sodium count entering your exercise. Exercising in hot weather can also cause water retention as the body tries to hoard water and guard against the high temperatures. Dehydration has a similar effect -- when the body is deprived of water, it collects and stores all of the water it has access to, resulting in water retention.
Risks
Water retention -- particularly in relation to dehydration -- can lead to life-threatening complications. Kidney disease, for example, can occur when dehydration occurs for a long period of time. Kidney disease can also cause water retention, and this can lead to further damage of the kidneys as well as possible liver damage.
Prevention/Solution
Water retention is fairly easy to avoid, and it is often treatable through self-care. The most important factor is to make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. You should also be aware of the foods you are eating and avoid high-sodium foods that may aid water retention. Pay attention to the environment in which you are exercising as well as your body's response to the elements, and give yourself periodic breaks to prevent the heat from taxing your body and causing retention.
Considerations
Weightlifting tends to occur indoors, and for this reason it is unlikely that hot weather will cause any significant water retention while you are lifting weights. Some muscle-building supplements, though, can increase your body's need for water and contribute to dehydration in people who do not drink enough water. If you are taking any supplements, check with a doctor to see whether you are drinking enough water to help your body process these materials.
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