Water Retention
“Your body is 80% water!”
You have heard this statement before, right? While it is not entirely on the mark (your body is more like 55-78% water, depending on body size), it goes without saying that your body is comprised out of water more than anything else. So it is not surprising to develop a condition like water retention, especially during the summer.
What is water retention? Water retention, or edema, is when you have a large amount of water being stored in the lower part of your body, such as around your ankles and feet. It also may store itself in your back, hands, and face while you are sleeping, resulting in morning puffiness.
How can I stop water retention? Dr. Jennifer Shu from CNN says that, for starters, you should not stand or sit too often. Body movement allows the water to get around. Also, you may want to look at your sodium intake. “Edema can be caused by too much sodium or salt intake but may also be a sign of a medical condition such as kidney disease, a liver disorder, heart failure or problems with the circulation or lymphatic system,” Dr. Shu says. Ironically, dehydration can also cause water retention; your body will store water when it is thirsty, just like it will store fat when it is starving!
Why is water retention more prevalent in the summer? Bags of potato chips aside, water retention occurs when spending a long day standing in the sun or when the sun dehydrates you to a crisp. This does not mean to avoid the sun, though; you need that for your Vitamin D. Make sure to move often and even try lifting your feet above your heart level once in awhile to get the water flowing, and keep fluids in your system.
If you take your socks off and find the skin around your ankles is puffy, take a look at water rentention. It might very well be the culprit!
