Water Weight and Fluid Retention

Many women battle water weight gain, especially at certain times during the month. And fluid retention can plague men, too.

Water weight gain can often be managed naturally, if you just know the right steps to take. Here are some tips for dealing with fluid retention.

What is Meant by the Term Water Weight?

Water weight is the term used to describe weight gain caused by the body holding onto excess fluid. When water leaks into the body tissues from the blood, the tissues retain this fluid. In normal circumstance, the lymphatic system gets rid of the excess fluid in our bodies, but this is difficult to do when the fluid becomes stored in the tissue.

The Causes of Fluid Retention

There are many different causes of water weight gain. Some of them are serious, but most are nothing to be concerned about, though you will still want to find ways to lose the water weight gain.

Some of the common causes of water weight gain include:

• A diet high in salt
• Hot weather
• Sunburn
• Some drugs
• Pregnancy
• Menstrual Cycle
• Heart Failure
• Liver Disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney Disease

Occasional water retention is usually not serious. However, if you have long term, unexplained fluid retention, it's wise to see your doctor to rule out some of the more serious issues that can cause water weight gain.

How to Prevent Water Retention

For most people, avoiding water weight gain is simply a matter of a few lifestyle changes. Reducing the salt in your diet will help many people, as will sitting with feet propped up, particularly if most of your fluid retention is in the legs and feet.

Exercise can also help reduce water weight gain, as it helps your body release the fluid that has built up.

It is also important not to get dehydrated if you're experiencing fluid retention. Drinking more water actually helps your body to release excess fluid. Dehydration may encourage your body to hold onto the fluid that has built up in the tissues.

Avoiding caffeine can also help reduce water weight gain, because caffeine tends to cause dehydration. You may also want to take Vitamin B supplements to help your body naturally balance fluid levels.

When water weight gain comes from known factors, such as pregnancy or monthly menstrual cycle gains, sufferers can usually manage them through simple remedies like reducing salt intake and propping up the feet.

People suffering from sunburn should drink lots of water and simply wait for the fluid retention to subside. If your water weight gain is the result of hot weather, drink lots of water and try to keep cool.

However, when you suffer from constant fluid retention because of an ongoing issue, such as a drug side effect, you may need help from your doctor to keep water weight gain at bay. A diuretic is sometimes prescribed to prevent the buildup of water in the tissues.

Fluid retention gain can be nothing more than an annoyance, or it can be the symptom of something more serious going on in your body. So, take natural steps to reduce your fluid retention. But, if these don't work, or your symptoms get worse, it's wise to see your doctor.