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There are a lot of things that cause water retention. Most of them are petty, such as diet, hot weather or sunburn. Others, meanwhile, can be more serious which may include hormonal imbalance and underlying medical conditions. Either way, Edema, or the swelling of the extremities due to fluid retention, is not something that you can simply ignore.

If you think that you are feeling a little bloated for several days or weeks now, it would be best to go to your doctor and have yourself checked. Read on and learn what medical conditions can bring about water retention as a symptom.

Arthritis

Localized edema is quite common in people who are suffering from arthritis. As a matter of fact, inflammation of joints may be due to fluid retention.

Allergy

It is not unlikely that people who have allergic reactions to certain substances may experience edema or bloating in response to certain allergens such as bee sting or a particular type of food. Generally, allergic reactions can be mild, but some people experience severe reactions to allergens and need to get immediate medical attention. In most allergy cases, edema or bloating is just brief or short lived.

Cirrhosis and Other Liver Diseases

It is common to see people who are suffering from extreme liver problems to have swollen or bloated abdomen. The main reason for the swelling is that sometimes congestion in that area leads to higher pressure in the blood vessels of the liver, which results to the reverse flow of blood in the organ. If the patient is lying down for most part of the day, fluid retention in the feet and even lower back may be common.

Heart Problems

The right chamber of the heart is responsible for getting blood from the rest of the body and pumps it to the lungs to be loaded with oxygen. Meanwhile, the left chamber is the one that pumps oxygenated blood to the whole body. A person who has a problem with either chamber usually suffers from water retention because the body compensates for the heart's inefficiency and tends to retain water and increase blood volume. However, this could lead to increased pressure in the veins, engorgement of the liver, bloating of the abdominal cavity, and even swelling of the legs or lungs.

Lymphoedema

The lymphatic system helps in the elimination of waste and toxins from the body through sweat. However, those who have malignant growths in the lymph nodes may suffer from edema as the tumors prevent the system from doing its job efficiently.

Persistent Venous Insufficiency

People who are suffering from chronic venous insufficiency, such as deep vein thrombosis, may find that their ankles, feet or lower extremities are swollen. The main reason behind this is pressure from the clots or varicose veins.

Kidney Diseases

Medical practitioners are aware that certain kidney problems, particularly acute glomerulonephritis or nephritic syndrome, surely cause edema in the legs and the area around the eyes. Much like in other cases, swelling is caused by increased pressure in the veins due to the failure of the kidneys to eliminate sodium and fluid.

Hormonal Imbalance

A lot of women complain of weight gain or swollenness before their menstrual period or during menopause. Water retention experienced at these times is usually caused by fluctuating levels of female sex hormone progesterone. The problem can be exacerbated by a diet that is high in salt or sodium. Aside from hormonal imbalance, estrogen replacement therapy used to treat menopause can also be responsible for the swelling and weight gain due to fluid retention during perimenopause.

As mentioned earlier, if your water retention is linked to other symptoms, it would be best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you are sure that your fluid retention problem is not a symptom of a serious disease or condition, then you can always use supplements, such as Expelis, to prevent weight gain due to water retention.

For more details, just visit http://www.expelis.com/

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com