There are many well known water retention causes. Heart and kidney problems can be illnesses that cause water retention for instance. This is because the heart and kidneys will lose their ability to perform their functions properly and when this happens serious swelling of the legs and ankles is a possibility.
The most common cause
When a person suffers from weak circulation in their legs, than this is one of the most common water retention causes. Swelling in the legs and ankles will usually result and can be severe in certain cases. Women who are pregnant for example may have more severe instances. Elderly people may also find that the condition can bring about other unwanted problems, such as varicose veins.
A serious blockage or congestion
Those who have water retention might suffer from serious blockage of the lymphatic system, which is known as lymphoedema. Your chances for lymphoedema increase after surgical procedures for example. Also, someone who spends a lot of time immobile, people who spend a lot of time in bed, wheelchairs, or even long flights are at risk for developing water retention.
All you have to do to decrease your chances is move regularly, because if you do not it becomes difficult for your lymphatic system to properly get rid of unneeded fluid in your body tissues.
Hormonal changes in women
Women who are going through hormonal changes because of aging or pregnancy are at risk for water retention. Water retention can also be a symptom of a women’s menstrual cycle.
Consuming too much salt
One of the most serious water retention causes would include consuming far too much salt in the food people eat. The main ingredient of salt is sodium, and the body has to get rid of sodium by using water available in the body.
When you consume too much salt you will become thirsty, but your body will not eliminate this water as fast as it should. By reducing the amount of salt you consume you will help reduce your chance of water retention. High salt diets are usually not the most common cause of water retention though.
High levels of hormones in your body
If you have excessive quantities of hormones in your body, then this can cause your body to hold on to water. Certain drugs you might be taking such as insulin can cause abnormal hormone levels. You may also be producing too much cortisone as a result of being too stressed. The female hormone, estrogen and progesterone can also cause water retention problems.
Excessive amounts of hormones in your body have a strong impact of sodium levels in your body as well as the hormones responsible for controlling how your kidneys function. Medications such as birth control for women and pain killers in general have been known to effect hormone levels in the body.
These water retention causes are all preventable, but not if you do not understand what it is that is causing the problem first. That is why it is important to take note of what you are putting into your body on a regularly basis.