{"id":47642,"date":"2022-11-28T11:35:46","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T11:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=47642"},"modified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","slug":"reduce-water-retention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/","title":{"rendered":"Reduce Water Retention With These Expert-Approved Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#Get_your_personalized\" >Get your personalized<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#1_Reduce_Your_Salt_Intake\" >1. Reduce Your Salt Intake<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#2_Increase_Your_Magnesium_Intake_To_Reduce_Water_Retention\" >2. Increase Your Magnesium Intake To Reduce Water Retention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#3_Get_Moving\" >3. Get Moving<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#4_Reduce_Water_Retention_Compress_Your_Edema\" >4. Reduce Water Retention: Compress Your Edema<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#5_Elevate_Your_Edema\" >5. Elevate Your Edema<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#6_Use_Herbal_Remedies\" >6. Use Herbal Remedies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#7_Limit_Your_Refined_Carbohydrate_Intake\" >7. Limit Your Refined Carbohydrate Intake<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#8_Hydrate\" >8. Hydrate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#9_Consider_Acupuncture\" >9. Consider Acupuncture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#10_Try_Manual_Lymphatic_Drainage\" >10. Try Manual Lymphatic Drainage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#11_Increase_Your_Intake_Of_Vitamin_B6\" >11. Increase Your Intake Of Vitamin B6<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#When_To_See_A_Doctor\" >When To See A Doctor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edema, or water retention, is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in your body. It usually occurs in your hands, feet, ankles, and legs, but it can happen anywhere in your body (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279409\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). While edema can be uncomfortable and cause swelling and pain, it\u2019s usually not a serious condition.<\/span><\/p>\n\n    <section class=\"ad-single-wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-title-wrapper\">\n            <h3 class=\"ad-single-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_personalized\"><\/span>Get your personalized<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n            <span class=\"ad-single-sub-title color-green\">\n                <svg class=\"icon-sparkle\" width=\"36\" height=\"21\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 21\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                          d=\"M34.6837 0.515943C34.8247 0.835947 34.9421 1.16291 34.9891 1.48987C35.1417 2.64466 35.3179 6.51949 35.2592 7.29863C35.2592 7.53515 35.1887 7.7995 35.0243 8.01516C34.7307 8.39777 33.9791 8.4256 33.5681 8.07081C33.4154 7.94559 33.3215 7.77863 33.2745 7.61863C33.1453 7.15254 33.0396 6.68645 32.9809 6.22035C32.8165 4.81512 32.6638 3.40293 32.5581 1.9977C32.5229 1.53161 32.6051 1.05856 32.6991 0.592466C32.7695 0.244637 33.251 -0.0197144 33.6973 0.00115537C34.2257 0.0289818 34.5546 0.230723 34.6837 0.515943ZM18.6184 9.78225C18.5734 9.67557 18.5344 9.57528 18.4971 9.47956C18.4178 9.27568 18.3465 9.09257 18.2426 8.91267C16.7159 6.24133 14.2615 3.86217 11.4665 1.60128C11.1377 1.33693 10.7267 1.08649 10.2687 0.919531C10.0221 0.829095 9.52885 0.843009 9.247 0.933445C9.03562 1.00301 8.88295 1.27432 8.92992 1.42736C9.01213 1.71954 9.18828 2.01868 9.4349 2.28303C11.0555 4.02913 12.6879 5.76829 14.3437 7.50048C14.8308 8.0068 15.3395 8.50887 15.8473 9.01L15.8473 9.01001C15.9883 9.14921 16.1293 9.28833 16.2697 9.42746C16.4811 9.64311 16.7159 9.85181 16.9626 10.0466C17.2327 10.2692 17.6437 10.4014 18.0547 10.2553C18.0691 10.2501 18.0836 10.245 18.0981 10.2399C18.1097 10.2358 18.1213 10.2318 18.1329 10.2278C18.3785 10.1424 18.6184 10.0589 18.6184 9.78225ZM1.98942 20.1407C2.17783 20.1221 2.37674 20.105 2.58175 20.0875C2.99012 20.0525 3.42272 20.0154 3.84492 19.9598C6.34632 19.6259 8.84771 19.292 11.3374 18.9442C11.8776 18.8676 12.406 18.7355 12.8875 18.5824C13.5334 18.3807 13.7566 18.0954 13.6509 17.7824C13.5452 17.4694 13.1224 17.2746 12.3826 17.2676C11.8776 17.2607 11.3374 17.2676 10.8559 17.3372C7.69683 17.8102 4.5378 18.2972 1.3905 18.7911C1.03819 18.8468 0.674137 18.9442 0.404034 19.0833C-0.2771 19.4242 -0.065712 19.9598 0.803314 20.092C1.01858 20.1228 1.25262 20.1258 1.51135 20.1291C1.66195 20.131 1.82092 20.133 1.98942 20.1407Z\"\n                          fill=\"#17B991\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n               meal plan!\n            <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n    \n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-desc-wrapper\">\n            <p class=\"ad-single-desc\">What's your main health goal?<\/p>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Lose weight<\/a>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Feel great<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <img class=\"ad-single-img\" alt=\"health-food\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"395\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/themes\/gridlove-child\/assets\/img\/ad\/health-food.webp\">\n    <\/section>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many possible causes of edema, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pregnancy &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hormonal changes can cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4005978\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Certain medications &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> steroids, estrogen, and some high blood pressure medications can lead to edema (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6709286\/#R8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Standing or sitting for long periods &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this can cause fluid to pool in your lower extremities (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-7737\/11\/6\/899\/htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inactivity &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not moving enough can also cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0260742\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">32<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lymphatic system problems &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the lymphatic system helps drain excess fluid from your tissues, so if it\u2019s not working properly, edema can occur (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK537239\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Heart failure &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when your heart isn\u2019t pumping efficiently, fluid can back up into your tissues (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK430873\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Kidney disease &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> kidneys that aren\u2019t working properly can cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7015670\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Obesity &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> excess weight can put pressure on your veins and prevent proper blood circulation (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0306987719306267?via%3Dihub\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">35<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Capillary damage &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this can cause fluid to leak out of your blood vessels and into your tissues (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28318633\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Malnutrition &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not getting enough protein can cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/kwashiorkor\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infections &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> certain viral and bacterial infections can trigger inflammation and swelling (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK534820\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">31<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Allergies &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> histamine, a substance released during an allergic reaction, can cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1422-0067\/20\/7\/1733\/htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">37<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medication side effects &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some drugs, such as calcium channel blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause edema (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8099365\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7347500\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">29<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While edema isn\u2019t usually serious, it can be a sign of a more serious condition in some cases. If you have edema along with shortness of breath, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, call your doctor right away as these could be signs of heart or lung disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Normally, a few lifestyle changes can help reduce edema. Here are some expert-approved <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/coffee-lemon-and-hot-water-for-weight-loss\/\">tips<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Reduce_Your_Salt_Intake\"><\/span><strong>1. Reduce Your Salt Intake<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salt is made up of sodium and chloride, two electrolytes that help regulate fluid balance in your body. When you eat foods high in salt, your body holds onto more water to dilute the sodium concentration. This can lead to water retention and edema (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2304-8158\/7\/2\/16\/htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK541123\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reduce your risk of edema, it\u2019s important to limit your salt intake. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day, or about 1 teaspoon of salt (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/sodium\/how-much-sodium-should-i-eat-per-day\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have edema, you may need to restrict your salt intake even further. Your doctor can help you determine how much salt you should consume each day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some high-sodium foods to watch out for include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Processed foods &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> these often contain high levels of salt, so be sure to check the nutrition label<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Canned soups and vegetables &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> these can also be high in salt<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Condiments &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as soy sauce, ketchup, and BBQ sauce, often contain a lot of salt<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fast food &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> meals from fast food restaurants are typically high in salt<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><i>Read More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/hydration-challenge\/\"><i>The 7-Day Hydration Challenge: Try This Expert-Approved Tips To Drink More Water<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-47277 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207726-1024x577.png\" alt=\"reduce water retention\" width=\"770\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207726.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207726-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207726.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207726-1634x920.png 1634w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207726.png 1728w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Increase_Your_Magnesium_Intake_To_Reduce_Water_Retention\"><\/span><strong>2. Increase Your Magnesium Intake To Reduce Water Retention<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Magnesium is a mineral that helps regulate fluid balance in <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/lemon-water-in-the-morning\/\">your body<\/a>. It also helps your body produce energy and relaxes your muscles (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindawi.com\/journals\/ije\/2018\/9041694\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low magnesium levels have been linked to water retention. Further studies are needed, but preliminary research shows that magnesium supplementation can decrease premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms including water retention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28392498\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">25<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good sources of magnesium include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Leafy green vegetables &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as spinach, Swiss chard, and beet greens<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nuts and seeds &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Beans and legumes &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as black beans, lentils, and kidney beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Whole grains &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as brown rice, oats, and quinoa<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fruits and vegetables &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as bananas, avocados, and dark chocolate<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Get_Moving\"><\/span><strong>3. Get Moving<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise is <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/water-activities\/\">important<\/a> for overall health, but it can also help reduce edema (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6027933\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). When you exercise, your muscles contract and push fluid back into your circulatory system. This helps reduce the amount of fluid in your tissues and decreases swelling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. This could include walking, biking, swimming, or light jogging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re new to exercise, start slowly and gradually increase your activity level over time. Also, while exercising, be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing and shoes to avoid constricting your blood vessels and worsening edema.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-47194 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207648-1024x576.png\" alt=\"reduce water retention\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207648.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207648-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207648.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207648-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207648.png 1728w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Reduce_Water_Retention_Compress_Your_Edema\"><\/span><strong>4. Reduce Water Retention: Compress Your Edema<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wearing compression garments is another effective way to reduce edema. These garments help reduce swelling by applying pressure to your skin and tissues (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4081237\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compression garments come in a variety of forms, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stockings &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> these are typically worn on your legs and feet and come in different levels of compression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Socks &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> similar to stockings, compression socks are often used to relieve swelling in the feet and lower legs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wraps &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> these can be used on any part of your body and are available in different levels of compression<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When choosing a compression garment, it\u2019s important to select one that fits well and provides the right level of compression. If the garment is too tight, it can cause discomfort and make your edema worse. If it\u2019s too loose, it won\u2019t be <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/how-much-water-should-i-drink-on-keto\/\">effective<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compression garments are available in both medical and non-medical stores. If you\u2019re not sure which type of garment to choose, talk to your doctor or a certified fitter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>BetterMe app will kick you out of the mental funk, shake off your extra weight, rid you off your energy-zapping habits, and help you sculpt the body of your dreams. Intrigued? Hurry up and <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\">change your life for the better<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Elevate_Your_Edema\"><\/span><strong>5. Elevate Your Edema<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elevating your legs above your heart is another simple but <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fruit-infused-water-benefits\/\">effective<\/a> way to reduce edema. When you do this, gravity helps drainage of fluid back into your circulatory system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For best results, prop your legs up on a pillow or blanket for 15-20 minutes several times per day. You can also sleep with your legs elevated by placing pillows under your knees or bed risers under the legs of your bed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Use_Herbal_Remedies\"><\/span><strong>6. Use Herbal Remedies<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several herbs have been traditionally used to reduce edema. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dandelion &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the diuretic properties of dandelion help promote the elimination of water and salt from your body (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bnrc.springeropen.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s42269-021-00567-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Parsley &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this herb is a diuretic as well as a source of apigenin, a compound that has anti-inflammatory effects (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5698599\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ginger &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ginger root is a popular remedy for nausea and upset stomach, but it also contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK92775\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">36<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Horsetail &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> horsetail is a source of silica, a compound that helps reduce inflammation (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindawi.com\/journals\/ecam\/2014\/760683\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">33<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hibiscus &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hibiscus is a diuretic that also contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S030881461400692X\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fennel &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fennel is a diuretic that also contains anethole, a compound with anti-inflammatory effects (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1878535212000792\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Corn silk &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> corn silk contains several compounds with diuretic effects (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1420-3049\/17\/8\/9697\/htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nettle &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this leafy green is a diuretic as well as a source of chlorophyll, a compound with detoxifying effects (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12967-016-1017-3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">28<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-47183 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207797-1024x577.png\" alt=\"reduce water retention\" width=\"770\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207797.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207797-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207797.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207797-1634x920.png 1634w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207797.png 1728w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Limit_Your_Refined_Carbohydrate_Intake\"><\/span><strong>7. Limit Your Refined Carbohydrate Intake<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refined carbohydrates are found in processed <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/hard-water-vs-soft-water\/\">foods<\/a>, such as white bread and pastries. These foods can contribute to edema because they cause your body to retain water (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25911631\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">34<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help reduce edema, limit your intake of refined carbohydrates and eat more whole grains instead. Good choices include oats, whole-wheat bread, and brown rice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Hydrate\"><\/span><strong>8. Hydrate<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As counterintuitive as it may sound, one of the best things you can do for edema is to make sure you\u2019re well-hydrated. When your body is properly hydrated, it\u2019s better able to flush out excess fluid (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s00394-020-02275-4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aim to drink eight glasses of water per day, or more if you\u2019re sweating excessively due to heat or exercise. You can also get hydration from other beverages, such as unsweetened tea, but water is the best choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Read More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/drinking-water-before-bed-for-weight-loss\/\"><i>Drinking Water Before Bed For Weight Loss: Does It Work?<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Consider_Acupuncture\"><\/span><strong>9. Consider Acupuncture<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points of your body. This therapy is said to help promote the flow of energy, or qi and reduce inflammation (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK532287\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2013 review of studies found that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for edema, although more research is needed (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3796320\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Try_Manual_Lymphatic_Drainage\"><\/span><strong>10. Try Manual Lymphatic Drainage<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a type of massage that\u2019s specifically designed to reduce edema. This therapy involves gentle, rhythmic strokes that move lymph fluid toward your lymph nodes. If you have primary lymphedema, MLD can help reduce the size of your affected limb (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.physio-pedia.com\/Manual_Lymphatic_Drainage#cite_note-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">26<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although there\u2019s limited research on the effectiveness of MLD for edema, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a review of several studies found that this therapy may help reduce swelling and <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mint-water\/\">improve quality of life<\/a> in people with lymphoedema and mixed oedema<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5951867\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">27<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re interested in trying MLD, be sure to see a trained therapist. Incorrect techniques can cause more harm than good.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-47182 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207799-1024x577.png\" alt=\"reduce water retention\" width=\"770\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207799.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207799-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207799.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207799-1634x920.png 1634w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207799.png 1728w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Increase_Your_Intake_Of_Vitamin_B6\"><\/span><strong>11. Increase Your Intake Of Vitamin B6<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in fluid <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/list-of-foods-that-cause-water-retention\/\">balance<\/a>. This vitamin helps your body make the hormones needed for proper kidney function (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">38<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A small 2009 study found that taking vitamin B6 supplements may help reduce fluid retention in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4161081\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foods that are high in vitamin B6 include chickpeas, tuna, salmon, pork loin, and potatoes. For vegans and vegetarians, tempeh, pistachios, and sunflower seeds are also good sources of this nutrient.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Lean and toned up body isn\u2019t just a far-fetched fantasy. Check out the BetterMe app and watch it <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\">propel your weight loss journey<\/a> into high gear!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_To_See_A_Doctor\"><\/span><strong>When To See A Doctor<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, edema is a benign condition that can be managed at home. However, see your doctor if you experience any of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden or severe swelling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling that lasts longer than two weeks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling that occurs along with a fever, rash, or redness of the skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling that interferes with your ability to move or breathe<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have lymphedema, be sure to see your doctor regularly to monitor your condition and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water retention can be uncomfortable and may cause your body to feel larger than usual. However, there are many things you can do to reduce edema, such as eating diuretic foods, staying hydrated, and wearing loose-fitting clothing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, edema is a benign condition that can be managed at home. However, see your doctor if you experience sudden or severe swelling or any other concerning symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Water_Retention\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Edema, or water retention, is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in your body. It usually occurs in your hands, feet, ankles, and legs, but it can happen anywhere in your body (9). While edema can be uncomfortable and cause swelling and pain, it\u2019s usually not a serious condition. There are many possible causes of edema, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47643,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[],"coauthors":[117],"class_list":["post-47642","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-therapy"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Reduce Water Retention With These Expert-Approved Tips - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u2605 REDUCE WATER RETENTION \u27a4 and swelling with these natural edema treatments, including diet changes, supplements, and manual lymphatic drainage. Just keep reading for more!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Reduce Water Retention With These Expert-Approved Tips\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u2605 REDUCE WATER RETENTION \u27a4 and swelling with these natural edema treatments, including diet changes, supplements, and manual lymphatic drainage. Just keep reading for more!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_1526434721-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ZindzyGracia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ZindzyGracia\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/58ffa041e840240fb24019691a681c53\"},\"headline\":\"Reduce Water Retention With These Expert-Approved Tips\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/\"},\"wordCount\":1804,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_1526434721-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Therapy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Edema, or water retention, is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in your body. It usually occurs in your hands, feet, ankles, and legs, but it can happen anywhere in your body (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279409\/\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">). While edema can be uncomfortable and cause swelling and pain, it\u2019s usually not a serious condition.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There are many possible causes of edema, including:<\/span>\\r\\n<ul>\\r\\n \\t<li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Pregnancy -<\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> hormonal changes can cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4005978\/\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">20<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">).<\/span><\/li>\\r\\n \\t<li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Certain medications -<\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> steroids, estrogen, and some high blood pressure medications can lead to edema (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6709286\/#R8\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">).<\/span><\/li>\\r\\n \\t<li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Standing or sitting for long periods -<\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> this can cause fluid to pool in your lower extremities (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-7737\/11\/6\/899\/htm\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">).<\/span><\/li>\\r\\n \\t<li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Inactivity -<\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> not moving enough can also cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0260742\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">32<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">).<\/span><\/li>\\r\\n \\t<li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Lymphatic system problems - <\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight:  ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/\",\"name\":\"Reduce Water Retention With These Expert-Approved Tips - BetterMe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_1526434721-scaled.jpg\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\",\"description\":\"\u2605 REDUCE WATER RETENTION \u27a4 and swelling with these natural edema treatments, including diet changes, supplements, and manual lymphatic drainage. 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Just keep reading for more!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Reduce Water Retention With These Expert-Approved Tips","og_description":"\u2605 REDUCE WATER RETENTION \u27a4 and swelling with these natural edema treatments, including diet changes, supplements, and manual lymphatic drainage. Just keep reading for more!","og_url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_author":"#","article_modified_time":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_1526434721-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"ZindzyGracia","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"ZindzyGracia","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/"},"author":{"name":"BetterMe","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/58ffa041e840240fb24019691a681c53"},"headline":"Reduce Water Retention With These Expert-Approved Tips","dateModified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/"},"wordCount":1804,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_1526434721-scaled.jpg","articleSection":["Therapy"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edema, or water retention, is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in your body. It usually occurs in your hands, feet, ankles, and legs, but it can happen anywhere in your body (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279409\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). While edema can be uncomfortable and cause swelling and pain, it\u2019s usually not a serious condition.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many possible causes of edema, including:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pregnancy -<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hormonal changes can cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4005978\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Certain medications -<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> steroids, estrogen, and some high blood pressure medications can lead to edema (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6709286\/#R8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Standing or sitting for long periods -<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this can cause fluid to pool in your lower extremities (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-7737\/11\/6\/899\/htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inactivity -<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not moving enough can also cause fluid retention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0260742\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">32<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lymphatic system problems - <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:  ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/","name":"Reduce Water Retention With These Expert-Approved Tips - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/reduce-water-retention\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_1526434721-scaled.jpg","dateModified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","description":"\u2605 REDUCE WATER RETENTION \u27a4 and swelling with these natural edema treatments, including diet changes, supplements, and manual lymphatic drainage. 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