What is the best thing to do for water retention?!


Question: My legs, feet, ankles, and hands are swollen... to an uncomfortable state. I know it's water retention... but don't know what to do to get the swelling down! If I exercise (walk), it gets worse... and I'm drinking enough water (about 8-10 8oz glasses of water a day).

I took a OTC (natural) water pill this morning, but I've never seen improvement after taking it before.

What is a good way to help my body get back into it's "normal" state!?


Answers: My legs, feet, ankles, and hands are swollen... to an uncomfortable state. I know it's water retention... but don't know what to do to get the swelling down! If I exercise (walk), it gets worse... and I'm drinking enough water (about 8-10 8oz glasses of water a day).

I took a OTC (natural) water pill this morning, but I've never seen improvement after taking it before.

What is a good way to help my body get back into it's "normal" state!?

Keep taking your water pills. Drink tons of water, and cut your salt intake greatly. I heard that cinnamon helps too (dont eat it plain lol) and green tea.

edit; i did a little research for you

Home Remedies from the Cabinet

Salt. Around the time you expect your period, drastically reduce your salt intake. Sodium increases fluid retention, so don't use the salt shaker. And if recipes call for salt, try adding more pepper or another spice instead. But, most importantly, cut down on processed foods and fast foods, all of which are overflowing with salt.


?2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Bananas contain high amounts of potassium, which helps eliminate fluid retention.




Home Remedies from the Counter

Bananas. Go ape and grab a few bananas. Slice 'em on your cereal, make a smoothie, or just peel and eat them plain. Bananas contain high amounts of potassium, which helps eliminate fluid retention. Not a banana fan? Gobble down a handful of raisins instead.

Home Remedies from the Freezer

Ice. When ankles puff up, applying an ice pack can help bring them back to normal size. Place ice cubes in a plastic bag with a zipper seal, wrap a light towel around the bag, and apply for five to ten minutes. A bag of frozen veggies also works well. In summertime, dip legs (ankle-deep) into a bath of ice water. People who have diabetes or poor circulation in their feet should skip the ice bath, however, unless directed to use it by their physician.

Home Remedies from the Refrigerator

Cabbage. A natural diuretic, cabbage can be added to salads or sandwiches. Enjoy a side of coleslaw for lunch.

Cranberry juice. Another natural diuretic. Drink it straight from the bottle.

Yogurt. Too many rich treats will cause stomachs to bloat. If you've overindulged and are feeling the effects, treat your stomach to a cup of plain, low-fat yogurt that contains active cultures. The active cultures aid in digestion and increase the good bacteria in the gut.

Home Remedies from the Sink

Water. When you feel waterlogged, guzzling a glass of H2O might be the last thing on your mind. But it may be the best thing for you. Water flushes out the system better than anything else and can reduce premenstrual bloating. Drink 8 to 10 glasses a day; more when you exercise. (NOTE: This advice is only for PMS bloating. If your water retention is caused by any other medical condition, be sure to ask your doctor before drinking extra water -- it may not be good for you.)

Home Remedies from the Supplement Shelf

Vitamins A and C. When you feel like a balloon, try to increase your intake of vitamins A and C, both of which help diminish the fragility of capillaries and decrease water retention.

Do's and Don'ts

DO lift your legs! Ankles can swell like sourdough bread, thanks to water retention. Luckily, avoiding the baguette look just takes a little movement. Exercises that work the calf muscles help move blood and excess fluid out of the ankle area. Regularly walking, running, bicycling, and aerobic dancing can work wonders. If ankles swell while seated at work, try lifting your legs up parallel to the floor every few minutes. During breaks, walk around the office or up the stairs. Spend a portion of the lunch hour on your feet, exercising.


DO keep your feet up. While resting, reading, or watching television, prop a pillow under those tootsies. A little help from gravity can go a long way in draining fluid from swollen limbs.


DO cross off the notion that crossing your legs is the way to sit. Doing so limits the blood flow through the thigh veins, in turn aggravating the swelling in the lower legs.


DO toss out tight clothing. If you have to squeeze into your pants, you can be guaranteed that pressure is being placed on your upper thighs and waist, in turn restricting the removal of fluids from the lower legs.


DO limit alcohol intake.


DON'T smoke.


DO stay away from junk food. Not only is it bad for you, but the excess salt tips the scales.


DO eat 6 small meals a day, rather than 3 big ones.

Try eating watermelon. Coffee is also a good diuretic.
(I get the same way...my rings are loose one minute and then I can't get them off the next). You can also try lemon in warm/hot water and drink throughout the day. Helped me alot). Definitely try to avoid sodium. You can use salt substitutes if you want the zing on foods.





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories