Water and Fluid Retention in Your Legs

Water & Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a medical condition caused by abnormal accumulation of water or fluids in the body’s tissues. Though excess water can be accumulated anywhere in the body, the most common areas are the ankles and legs.

You must ensure that this water retention is not caused by any other medical condition such as heart or kidney complication. If so, edema symptoms can be relieved by treating that particular condition. 

After these problems are ruled out, you may try some home remedies and diuretics to alleviate your edema symptoms. Here are a few simple things you can do to control fluid retention in legs. 

Exercises for Edema: 

Your body requires enough exercise to promote healthy circulation and maintain fluid regulation in the tissues. 

When there is little or no exercise, the lower extremities are at risk because they have naturally poor circulation. So, consider exercising 30 minutes daily to reduce water retention in legs. 

Reduce Fluid Retention in Legs by Shifting Positions: 

No matter where you are, shift your standing and sitting positions at regular intervals to reduce water retention. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time can significantly increase the fluid level in your legs. 

This is mainly important for people who are tied to desk jobs such as cashiers, office workers, and truck drivers. 

Walk around for two or three minutes, every hour to keep the circulation going. If it's not feasible to get up and move, try some stationary exercises such as moving up and down on your toes, or flexing various muscle groups. 

Reduce Water Retention in Legs with Proper Shoes: 

Avoid wearing shoes that rub against your feet or cause pain. This may cause more troubles than just making your feet hurt. 

Uncomfortable shoes may restrict your blood circulation and increase the risk of excess fluid accumulation in the legs area. 

Compression Stockings Help Reduce Fluid Retention in Legs: 

Many times the compression stockings are marketed as being for diabetics, because diabetic people are prone to severe edema. 

These socks improve circulation and reduce swelling in the legs where conventional socks may even worsen the problem by restricting circulation. 

Elevate Your Feet: 

Elevate your feet above with the help of a pillow while relaxing at home. Try this at least once a day for 5-10 minutes. This will encourage excess fluid to drain out of your legs and improve the circulation. 

For further elevation, you may use leg wedges, which will keep your feet and legs raised while you sleep. 

You must also stick to a healthy, low-sodium diet which is high in fiber and drink plenty of water to further fight water retention in legs. The above home remedies can help expedite the healing process and raise your comfort level. 

For more information regarding edema and its treatment methods, read these articles: Reduce Swelling in Feet, Salt and Edema, and Drugs For Edema.