Causes Of Water Retention
What Causes Water Retention?
Your fluctuating weight gain and loss could very well be just one of the causes of water retention. While aggravating and frustrating, it is good to know that changing the foods we eat and the way we live our life could avoid this type of bloating.
The human body is largely made up of water; about 60% for adult males and 55% for adult females. The water is found in skin cells, in the bloodstream, in body fat and in the skin. Fluids are crucial to the body’s operation, and continually recycled throughout the system. Since the body is continually eliminating fluids through urination and sweating, it is important to keep a steady flow of water entering the body to maintain a good balance. Our bodies instinctively know how much water to retain, and how much eliminate. This balance is regulated by hormones, sodium and the kidneys.
Normally, the amount of water that is retained is kept in constant circulation. From time to time, however, the body holds excess water. This results in the body actually becoming “puffy”, and weight to increase. There are several causes of water retention; most of which are preventable but some which are unavoidable.
Women in particular seem to be afflicted with water weight gain. Often when menstrual cycles occur, hormones become unstable. Menstruation is accompanied by an increase in the hormone estrogen, which creates a higher production of aldosterone. It is aldosterone that stimulates the kidneys to hold on to fluids in the breast and abdomen areas. Generally, about a week before a woman has her period, her breasts and tummy become swollen and sensitive to the touch because of this fluid. The condition is temporary, and will disappear once the hormones are once again in balance. This same experience is had by women who are undergoing hormone therapy during menopause. Additionally, women who are pregnant will often find their legs and ankles swell easily. This is the result of the baby encroaching upon other organs and systems in the abdomen cavity; most notably the vein that carries fluids back up to the heart. Diminishing the flow of this vein causes fluids to back up and remain in the legs, creating the swelling.
Women are not the only victims of retaining water. Both women and men who traditionally enjoy snacking on salty chips, nuts, pretzels and beef jerky, consume massive amounts of sodium with this type of diet. Dietary issues are probably one of the leading causes of water retention. Higher levels of sodium in the body are recognized as an imbalance by the organs, and water is pulled from the cells in an effort to dilute the amount of salt in the bloodstream. This action makes an individual feel thirsty, and the urge to drink is felt. This leads to an overabundance of actually too much fluid in the body, and the body becomes heavy feeling and puffy.
In fewer cases, it is a medical condition that is causing the bloating. When kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, thyroid disease and chronic venous insufficiency are at the root of the problem, the swelling experienced could very well be symptomatic of the disease. If it is known that one of these diseases affects an individual, any type of water retention must be brought to the attention of their doctor immediately.
If the problem lies in a disease or in a medication prescribed, talk to your doctor to see if there is something that can be done to relieve the symptom. Most instances that involve water retention in the body are preventable and easily remedied by a simple change in lifestyle or diet.