Experiencing some puffiness, swollen legs and feet, and also stiff joints are unpleasant symptoms of water retention. There are actually three types of water retention, and first one of these (medical fluid retention) is actually caused by serious health conditions like heart and thyroid diseases, arthritis, or lupus. The other two types are cyclical and general water retention and they are associated with lifestyle and women’s menstrual cycles and usually are not subject to medical treatment.
The medical fluid retention has to be treated by doctors. But in case your health is fine, you should try try to follow these tips that Bright Side has prepared for you. These may help you forget about all the discomfort water retention brings.
Main symptoms of water retention:
Because of water retention, we might feel heavier than usual or be less active. Some other symptoms can include the following:
- Indentations in the skin
- Puffiness of the abdomen, face, and hips
- Some weight fluctuations
- Having stiff joints
- Bloating, especially in the abdominal area
- Experiencing swollen legs, feet, and ankles
How to reduce water retention and lose water weight?
Eliminating stress
Experincing stress is a reaction of our body to a dangerous or complex
situation. And as part of the fight-or-flight response, our adrenal
glands release cortisol (also known as the stress hormone). As this this
study has found out, cortisol increases fluid retention. In case you
want to forget about puffiness and stiff joints, you shall practice
breathing techniques, yoga, leg lifting, and learn to relax properly.
Relaxing in the sauna
Going to a sauna is not only a good way to relax and escape from your
everyday problems, it is yet another way to decrease water retention.
According to one article that was published by Harvard Medical School,
sweating begins almost immediately. The average person loses a pint of
sweat during a brief stay in a sauna.