Diet Tips For Water Retention Patients

Add as a preferred source on Google

Water retention or Idiopathic edema is a condition in which excess water is accumulated in the circulatory system and between the cells. More common among females, the condition often strikes towards middle age. This condition worsens with age. As a preventive measure, diet tips for water retention patients are often advised. This is one way to keep the condition under control.

During water retention, water leaks from the body tissues into the blood stream. Swelling can often be seen in the abdomen, hands, arms and feet. There is no particular cure for the condition as the reasons for its occurrence is also not very conclusive. Possible causes of water retention among women are believed to be hormonal changes, pregnancy, menopause or side effects of contraceptive pills. Other causes of the condition among both sexes are attributed to nutritional deficiency, thyroid problems or disorders of the heart and liver.

It is often noticed that when the body retains fluids, the affected person gains close to two kilos of weight. However, after a good night’s sleep, the patient is back to normal. Though no serious diseases are related to the condition, it can be quite a nightmare for those affected. Following healthy diet tips can help control the situation to some extent.

Calcium Rich

Foods such as milk, cheese, curd, buttermilk are rich sources of calcium. They help the body eliminate excess fluid and thereby, bring relief to the affected person.

Potassium Rich

Potassium helps in reduction of sodium levels in the body. Two of the best sources of potassium are banana and tomatoes. Include them in your daily diet and notice the changes they bring in your body.

Low Sodium

Foods high in sodium such as excess salt and packaged food are not good for patient suffering from water retention. Efforts should be made to keep salt to the minimum. Also, stay away from pre-packed processed foods.

Nuts

When suggesting diet tips for water retention, patients are always advised to munch on nuts. These are healthy parts of any diet but when concerned with edema or fluid retention, their need is all the more. It is good to snack on walnuts, raisins and flax seeds.

Fruits

Colourful and juicy fruits are always an exciting part of a diet. Some of the fruits believed to fight water retention include musk melon, avocado and cranberry. Some of the citruses good for the condition are grapefruit and orange.

Meats

If you are a non-vegetarian, you have an added option available for you. Include lean meat, chicken and also the white of an egg in your diet.

Water intake

One of the important healthy diet tips for water retention patient is related to the intake of water and fluids. Try to include close to two to three litres of water in a day. Apart from water, have barley water, coconut water and lime water.

Less caffeinated drinks

Fluids are surely necessary for the body but not in the form of caffeinated drinks. To keep the condition under control, limit you intake of carbonated soft drinks, tea, coffee, energy drinks and alcohol.

Diuretics

Diuretic medicines induce the kidney to get rid of excess water and sodium from the body. However, the process also leads to a situation in which the blood pressure goes down and volume of blood reduces. There are medicines that should only be procured on a doctor's prescription. You can take these only if your doctor advises.