Water Retention Remedies

Those in search of water retention remedies to help manage their condition need not fret. Many such cures are easily available and can readily be taken in order to help alleviate sufferers' symptoms. What's more, sufferers may be pleasantly surprised to discover that many remedies can easily be found lying around the house.

Strangely enough, one cause of water retention or edema is dehydration. Why is this the case? When the body senses that its fluid intake is less than optimal, and thus through normal fluid loss (waste secretion, perspiration and so on) dehydration is a possibility, its tendency is to 'hold on' to the water in cells and tissues. This is why dehydrated people often suffer from bloating due to water retention. The remedies that would help in this case would be to normalize one's fluid intake; in short order, the bloating should go away.

Secondly, eating food that is too high in sodium can also result in edema and bloating. Sodium is one of the usual suspects when it comes to diet-related water retention. Those who enjoy eating fast foods and many kinds of processed foods can end up feeling bloated because fast food is more often than not laden with salt (not to mention other less than desirable substances like saturated fat and so on). Edema sufferers may find that it is best to pass on food that is very salty in order to find relief. Those who worry about their food not being tasty can try adding spices - they may even find that these spices make their food tastier than before.

Another of the best water retention remedies is to take potassium supplements, or to consume food that is rich in potassium. While taking supplements might be an excellent way to get enough potassium to stave off water retention, they might be prohibitively expensive for some sufferers, whereas consuming food high in potassium, such as bananas for instance, can be significantly easier on the pocket. In addition, such food can also be beneficial in and of itself - bananas are rich in fiber as well as potassium, after all.

In addition, many sufferers may not know about foods or drinks called diuretics. A diuretic is any kind of food or drink that stimulates urination and which thus help easily and quickly drain excess fluids from body tissues. What are some examples? Tea is a very good diuretic, especially the herbal kind such as dandelion tea. Other herbs like golden seal and St. John's wort are also good diuretics. Sufferers can even try eating cabbage, fennel, mint or sage - some common vegetables or herbs that have been found to have diuretic effects.

For the sort of water retention that can lead to swollen ankles - a problem that pregnant women often experience - a simple but effective cure is to elevate the ankles a few times a day in order to let gravity have its way and naturally pull down the fluid from those swollen tissues. Otherwise - and this is especially useful for sedentary people or "couch potatoes" - exercising and increasing one's metabolism and sweat rate can be one of the best water retention remedies.