Latest news with #edema
Vogue
25-07-2025
- Health
- Vogue
5 Foods That Cause Water Retention
Water retention can happen any time of the year, but experiencing swollen, heavy legs is especially common in the summer—and certainly uncomfortable. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help ease the puffiness or, better yet, avoid it altogether. One of the most effective ways? Skipping the foods that cause water retention. Why do we retain water in the summer? Feet, ankles, and legs can swell in the summer when an excess of fluid accumulates in the tissues. This type of water retention is known as edema. 'Edema is a medical term for swelling caused by fluid buildup in the tissues,' explains Dr. Asimah Hanif. 'It often appears in legs, ankles, and feet, but it can also affect other areas like the hands, arms, face, or even the lungs.' While certain health conditions—like heart or kidney disease—and taking specific medications can cause fluid retention, Hanif says that it can also be due to poor circulation or lack of movement. 'Even something as simple as sitting or standing for too long, especially in hot weather, can cause the legs to swell up,' she notes. Furthermore, women may be especially susceptible. 'For many women, mild edema is part of monthly hormonal shifts or travel-related fluid retention,' says Dr. Terry Dubrow. 'Think of it as your body whispering that it's holding on to water—often because something is off balance.' What foods cause water retention? Certain foods, usually those high in sodium or sugar, also promote fluid accumulation and venous stagnation, which inevitably leads to swollen and painful legs. If you are susceptible to leg swelling, avoiding these foods during the warmest months can be helpful. 'Diet can play a big role in how much fluid your body holds onto,' Hanif says. 'The biggest offender is salt. Eating salty foods—like chips, canned soups, takeout, or ready-made meals—makes your body hold onto more water, which can worsen swelling.' Foods that don't taste particularly salty can lead to water retention—especially if they're processed and packaged. 'Things like bacon, ham, sausages, and other cured meats can also contribute. Pickled foods and sauces like soy sauce tend to be salty too,' says Hanif. Sugar and alcohol can be culprits, too. 'High-sugar diets can lead to inflammation and make your body retain more fluid, while alcohol affects your liver and kidneys and can throw off your fluid balance by causing dehydration,' Hanif says. 5 surprising foods that lead to water retention Canned tuna Canned tuna can be high in sodium due to the salt that's added during processing and preservation. Tomatoes Although tomatoes are water-rich, they also contain histamine, which could contribute to water retention as histamine increases the permeability of blood vessels. Eating tomatoes with diuretic vegetables, such as cucumbers, can help mitigate the effects. Smoked salmon Like canned tuna, smoked salmon is high in sodium, which can contribute to water retention. 'Sodium is the biggest culprit in water retention,' says Dubrow. Crackers Crackers may seem like a light alternative to bread, but they're processed and therefore can be high in sodium. 'Refined carbs spike insulin and promote inflammation, which can worsen swelling,' says Dubrow. Aged cheeses Many aged cheeses, like parmesan, gruyere, cheddar, and manchego, are high in sodium thanks to the aging process—as cheese ages, it loses moisture, which concentrates its salt content. What foods reduce water retention? Just as some foods can cause water retention, others can reduce it. 'Edema might show up as a little puffiness, but it's your body's way of asking for a reset. Choosing the right foods isn't just about de-bloating, it's about feeling lighter and more energized,' says Dubrow, who recommends 'magnesium-rich foods like almonds and dark chocolate, which are especially helpful for hormonal swelling.'
Health Line
02-06-2025
- General
- Health Line
Hypervolemia (Fluid Overload) Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Hypervolemia occurs if your body retains too much fluid. You can experience swelling, discomfort, and other symptoms. Untreated, hypervolemia can cause severe complications, including heart failure. Hypervolemia, or fluid overload, occurs when your body holds onto more fluid than it needs, leading to swelling and other complications. Fluids in the body include: water blood lymphatic fluid If the amount of fluid gets too high, it can impact how it's moved through your body and negatively affect your organ function. Keep reading to learn the signs and causes of hypervolemia and how doctors diagnose and treat the condition. What are the signs and symptoms of hypervolemia? The symptoms of hypervolemia can include: swelling, also called edema, most often in the feet, ankles, wrists, and face discomfort in the body, causing cramping, headache, and abdominal bloating high blood pressure caused by excess fluid in the bloodstream shortness of breath caused by extra fluid entering your lungs and reducing your ability to breathe normally heart problems, because excess fluid can speed up or slow your heart rate, harm your heart muscles, and increase the size of your heart increased weight, caused by excess fluid Medical emergency If you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, severe pain, or irregular heart rhythm, call 911 or your local emergency services, or visit a local emergency department. What causes hypervolemia? Often, problems with your kidneys cause hypervolemia. This is because the kidneys normally balance the salts and fluids in your body. But when they retain salt, they increase the body's total sodium content, which increases your fluid content. The most common causes of hypervolemia can include: heart failure, specifically of the right ventricle cirrhosis, often caused by excess alcohol consumption or hepatitis kidney failure, often caused by diabetes and other metabolic disorders nephrotic syndrome, a disorder that causes excess excretion of protein in the urine premenstrual edema, or swelling that occurs prior to your menstrual cycle pregnancy, which changes your hormonal balance and can result in fluid retention You can also experience hypervolemia from being on an IV, which can cause your sodium levels to be unbalanced. It can also occur if you consume too much sodium. How is hypervolemia diagnosed? If you believe you're experiencing hypervolemia, speak with a doctor. They can determine if you're experiencing this condition. First, a doctor typically conducts a physical exam. The key signs of hypervolemia include weight gain and swelling. One or more parts of your body may appear swollen, depending on whether you have been sitting, lying, or standing before your visit. The doctor is also likely to perform a blood test to check your sodium levels. While your body's total sodium levels will appear elevated if you have hypervolemia, your sodium levels in the blood work may be high, normal, or low. Performing a sodium test on your urine can help determine if your kidneys are causing your hypervolemia or if there is another cause. For renal failure, urinary sodium content is typically greater than 20 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L), while in cases of heart failure, cirrhosis, and nephrotic syndrome, it is typically less than 10 mEq/L. If you are hospitalized, your care team may measure your fluid intake and output and your weight to check for hypervolemia. Can hypervolemia lead to other conditions? Untreated hypervolemia can cause several complications, some of which can be life threatening. These can include: pericarditis, or swelling of the heart tissues heart failure delayed wound healing tissue breakdown decreased bowel function How is hypervolemia treated? Treatment of hypervolemia differs from person to person, depending on the cause of the condition. Generally, people with hypervolemia may receive a round of diuretics. These medications remove excess fluid. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend dialysis (fluid removal through the kidneys) and paracentesis (fluid removal through the abdomen). A doctor may also require you to restrict your dietary sodium intake. What is the outlook for hypervolemia? While you recover from hypervolemia, a doctor may request that you weigh yourself daily to ensure you're expelling the excess fluid from your body. Many people who stick to a doctor's treatment plans fully recover. This can be important for preventing severe complications. If an underlying condition is causing your hypervolemia, treating the underlying condition may help your recovery. Besides monitoring your weight, you can prevent a recurrence of fluid overload by: tracking your fluid intake following the fluid intake guidelines from a doctor managing your thirst with sugar-free candies, ice chips, frozen grapes, and other low-fluid, thirst-quenching foods ensuring you do not consume too much sodium
