Water Retention

What is water retention?

Water retention means excessive amount of water in the body. Water retention results in increase of body weight and in swelling of the body or certain body parts, most often the legs.

Main causes of water retention ^[1]:

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (swollen feet)
• Pregnancy (feet, ankles)
• Varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency (swollen lower legs)
• Congestive heart failure (swollen ankles)
• Chronic kidney disease (generalized swelling, swollen face in the morning)
• Chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis (distended abdomen)
• Hypothyroidism (thick skin)
• Lymphedema due to blocked lymph nodes (usually swelling of one limb)
• Insufficient protein intake (distended abdomen)
• Drugs: steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, contraceptive pills (generalized swelling)
• No known cause, the so called idiopathic edema (mild swelling in middle aged women)