What causes water retention?

water retention

There are several causes of water retention. Medical conditions which can cause it include heart or kidney problems. If the heart does not have enough pumping force, the kidneys will not be able to extract enough water from the blood so it will collect in the tissues.

Another type of water retention can occur in women due to premenstrual hormonal changes. This water retention mostly affects the tummy before a woman's period.

In pregnancy, water retention can occur in the legs caused by the weight of the baby on the mother's pelvic veins.

In elderly people, water retention can occur in the legs when the blood vessels are weak. The circulation isn't strong enough to push the blood upwards against gravity, so the blood collects in the feet and ankles; the pressure forces water into the tissues there, causing swellings.

Another type of water retention is known as idiopathic edema and is caused by small blood vessels (capillaries) becoming too leaky. It's thought that eating a poor diet is mostly responsible for this. Eating too much salt and not drinking enough water probably play a part too.