7 ways to relieve fluid retention

Do you feel bloated often? In addition to this symptom, fluid retention can also cause pain and stiffness. This happens because there is an accumulation in the amount of fluids present in the skin tissues, which can occur for different reasons.

Among them are allergies, medication use and, above all, blood circulation problems. Some lifestyle habits, such as consumption of foods rich in sodium and a sedentary lifestyle, can also cause retention.

When the problem originates from everyday situations, that is, it is not caused by serious illnesses, it is possible to control the swelling with some simple measures. Check out!

How to relieve fluid retention?

Marina Lopes, angiologist and vascular surgeon, and Fabiana Seidl, dermatologist, shared some tips on how to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling:

1- Physical activity: regular exercise is one of the main ways to relieve fluid retention. A simple walk, for example, helps to pump blood back to the heart and reduce the feeling of heaviness and tiredness.

2 – Drink water: drinking water frequently helps to regulate body temperature and the amount of fluid in the body, which prevents episodes of swelling.

3- Beware of food: consumption of excess salt and sodium-rich beverages, such as soft drinks, increases the risk of fluid retention. Therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced diet.

4- Decrease addictions: It is important to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as alcohol contributes to the accumulation of sugar in the blood, which leads to fluid retention.

5- Lymphatic drainage: the lymphatic drainage technique helps eliminate excess fluid in body tissues, reducing swelling.

6- Raise your legs: it is recommended to leave your legs up, with the help of a pillow, for at least 20 minutes a day.

7- Use of socks: in specific cases determined by the doctor, such as suspected thrombosis, the use of elastic stockings can help alleviate the problem.

Identified the problem

Among the ways to understand if there is liquid retention in the body, is to press the skin with the thumb for a few seconds and notice if a “dimple” was formed in the region, called a locker sign. Another tip is to observe whether the clothes left strong marks on the body at the end of the day.

It is also important to understand that during the summer, heat causes blood vessels to dilate to regulate body temperature, causing a high amount of fluid to be released into the skin tissues. That’s why, hot days can lead to bouts of bloating.

“Excessive heat can further aggravate varicose veins, for example. Therefore, it is common for patients to complain in the summer. This happens because high temperatures induce the vasodilation process, making the veins bigger and more dilated – which can cause discomfort and swelling”, explains Marina Lopes.