Water retention, also known as oedema, is when there is an excess of fluid in the tissues of the body causing swelling and pain. Water retention can affect most areas of the body, such as the legs, ankles, feet, and stomach. To relieve symptoms and improve overall health, understanding why water retention occurs and how to prevent it is beneficial.
Why Does Water Retention Happen?
There are several reasons for fluid retention:
- Too Much Salt: Consuming excessive sodium in the form of salt or food causes the body to retain water to compensate for sodium loss.
- Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormone levels, such as those that occur in menstruation, pregnancy, or thyroid disease, lead to water retention.
- Poor Circulation: Standing or sitting for long hours provides gravity the opportunity to draw blood into the lower sections of the body, tightening blood vessels and leading to fluid loss.
- Medical Illnesses: Heart failure, kidney disease, cirrhosis (liver disease), and certain cancers interfere with the body’s ability to regulate fluids, causing oedema.
- Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, blood pressure medication, and hormone replacement therapy, result in water retention as a side effect.
- Lifestyle and Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of activity, obesity, and deficiencies of nutrients in food, such as magnesium or vitamin B6, may also contribute to fluid imbalance.
How to Reduce Water Retention
- Lower Sodium Intakes: Limit foods with high sodium and processed foods to avoid excessive fluid retention.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking lots of water helps your body eliminate excess sodium and waste.
- Use Potassium Foods: Consume foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, avocados, spinach, and sweet potatoes, to balance sodium levels and prevent fluid loss.
- Exercise: Exercise makes the blood circulate more and aids the lymphatic system in draining excess fluids.
- Elevate Legs: To rest, position legs to or higher than the level of the heart and minimise lower extremity swelling.
- Wear Compression Garments: Compression sleeves or socks help keep blood circulating and prevent fluid accumulation.
- Control Weight and Avoid Long Sitting: Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding extended sitting can help reverse swelling.
- Discuss with Your Physician regarding Medication: In certain instances, if oedema is also triggered by medical conditions such as heart, kidney, or liver disease, a physician may prescribe water pills or diuretics to facilitate the reduction of water retention.
Function of Dytor 10
Dytor 10 tablet is a diuretic medication that is typically used in water retention due to heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease. The component in this medicine is torsemide, which works on the kidneys to increase urine flow such that excess water and salt are easily excreted from the body. Not only does this ease puffiness, but it also increases blood flow and decreases pressure on the heart and other organs. Dytor 10 should be taken strictly as directed by your physician, and side effects like dizziness, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance observed.
Takeaway
Water retention treatment may involve a mix of therapeutic medications and lifestyle modification whenever needed. Proper management and safe treatment are ensured by close follow-up and coordination with your physician.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. Always refer to your medical practitioner before taking any medication, or radical diet or lifestyle adjustment. Correct diagnosis and individualised treatment are the key to the best and safest water retention control.
