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What organ controls water retention?

If the kidneys do not work properly, they cannot remove waste material, including fluids and sodium. The fluid will therefore stay in the body. People with chronic kidney disease, for example, may notice swelling in the lower limbs, hands, or face.

medicalnewstoday.com - Water retention (fluid retention): Causes, symptoms, and treatments

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This article will look at some causes and symptoms of water retention, as well as how to treat it. Edema can affect any area of the body. It happens for a variety of reasons. The circulatory system, the kidneys, the lymphatic system, hormonal factors, and other bodily systems help maintain healthy fluid levels. If a problem arises with one or more of these systems, however, fluid retention — otherwise known as edema — can occur. Water, or fluid, retention, occurs when there is a problem with one or more of the body’s mechanisms for maintaining fluid levels. The main symptoms are swelling and discomfort. The human body uses a complex system to regulate its water levels. Hormonal factors, the cardiovascular system, the urinary system, the liver, and the kidneys all play a role. If there is a problem with any of these parts, the body may be unable to expel fluid as it should.

Capillary damage

Capillaries are tiny blood vessels with a key role in managing fluid balance in the body. Some medications, such as those for high blood pressure, can cause damage to the capillaries. Capillaries deliver fluid to surrounding tissues. This fluid, called interstitial fluid, supplies nutrients and oxygen to cells. After delivering the nutrients, the fluid returns to the capillaries. If the capillaries sustain damage, edema can occur . Possible problems include changes in pressure inside the capillaries and the capillary walls becoming too leaky. If these problems occur, too much liquid can leave the capillaries and enter the spaces between cells. If the capillaries cannot reabsorb the fluid, it will stay in the tissues, causing swelling and water retention. Some people experience this type of edema because they have a rare condition known as systemic leaky capillary syndrome.

Congestive heart failure

The pumping action of the heart helps maintain normal pressure within the blood vessels. If a person’s heart stops working effectively, their blood pressure will change. Fluid retention can arise from this. There may be swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles, as well as fluid in the lungs, which can result in long-term cough or breathing difficulties. Eventually, congestive heart failure can lead to breathing problems and stress on the heart. It can therefore be life threatening.

The lymphatic system

The lymphatic system carries lymph through the body. Lymph is a fluid that contains white blood cells. It helps the immune system defend the body against infection. As the lymphatic system delivers and reabsorbs lymphatic fluid, it also helps the body maintain fluid balance. If a problem prevents the lymphatic system from working properly, fluid can build up around the tissues. This can cause swelling in various parts of the body, including the abdomen, ankles, legs, and feet.

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Cancer, infections, and blockages can all cause problems with this system.

Learn more about all forms of cancer in our dedicated hub.

The kidneys

The kidneys filter the blood and help maintain fluid levels in the body. Waste, fluids, and other substances pass into tiny tubules in the kidneys, which act as a filter. The bloodstream reabsorbs anything the body can reuse and removes the waste in the urine. If the kidneys do not work properly, they cannot remove waste material, including fluids and sodium. The fluid will therefore stay in the body. People with chronic kidney disease, for example, may notice swelling in the lower limbs, hands, or face.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body holds more water than usual, leading to swelling in the lower limbs — especially during hot weather or after standing for a long time. Hormonal changes and carrying extra weight in the abdomen can also contribute. This is not usually dangerous, and it mostly resolves after delivery. If the swelling suddenly becomes more severe, however, it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia. This is a type of high blood pressure that can harm both the mother and the fetus. Anyone who experiences headaches, vomiting, pain under the ribs, vision problems, along with increased swelling during pregnancy, should seek immediate medical attention.

Physical inactivity

People with mobility problems or a sedentary lifestyle can develop edema in the lower legs. Underuse can cause the calf muscle pump to lose strength.

It may help to:

keep the feet raised

wear compression stockings

practice exercises, such as raising and lowering the feet or rotating the ankles

Obesity

People with obesity may experience swelling due to the extra weight they carry. Obesity also increases the risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart disease, all of which can result in edema. Obesity also increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, which includes type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues.

Malnutrition

Albumin is a protein that helps the human body manage fluids. When a person has a severe protein deficiency, it may be harder for the body to move interstitial fluid back into the capillaries. When a person is severely malnourished, they may develop kwashiorkor. Symptoms include a loss of muscle mass and an enlarged abdomen. This is due to fluid retention in the bodily tissues.

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What is malnutrition, and who is at risk? Learn more here.

Infections and allergies

The immune system’s role is to defend the body from disease and infection. When the immune system detects an unwanted invader, such as bacteria or an allergen, it will mount an attack. Inflammation is part of this process. When inflammation occurs, the body releases histamine. Histamine causes the gaps between the cells of the capillary walls to widen. It does this to allow infection-fighting white blood cells to reach the site of inflammation. However, it can also allow fluid to leak from the capillaries into the surrounding tissues. The swelling that results from this is usually short-term.

People with long-term inflammation may experience water retention.

Medications

Some medications can also lead to water retention.

These include:

Anyone concerned about swelling while using medication should speak to their doctor. They may be able to change the dosage or suggest an alternative. Edema can develop when a person uses birth control pills. What other adverse effects can arise? Find out here.

Hormonal conditions

A hormonal imbalance can lead to fluid retention in the following ways:

Menstruation : Changes in hormonal balance can result in fluid buildup before menstruation. A person may experience bloating and breast tenderness as a result. : Changes in hormonal balance can result in fluid buildup before menstruation. A person may experience bloating and breast tenderness as a result. Thyroid problems: The thyroid gland releases hormones that play a role in managing fluid levels. People with conditions that affect the thyroid gland may therefore experience water retention. The thyroid gland releases hormones that play a role in managing fluid levels. People with conditions that affect the thyroid gland may therefore experience water retention. Cushing’s syndrome: This condition causes the adrenal gland to produce too much steroid hormone, leading to leg swelling. Dependent edema occurs when fluid pools in the lower part of the body. Learn more here.

medicalnewstoday.com - Water retention (fluid retention): Causes, symptoms, and treatments

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