What Causes Fluid Retention?

When excess fluids build up in the body it is called water retention or edema, fluid retention. Chances are you've experienced at least mild symptoms, but what causes fluid retention? There are a number of factors, but here are the most common causes:

Excessive sodium intake-The average sodium consumption per person in the US is about 4.000 -5.000 mg of sodium compared to a recommended daily intake of 1.500 mg -2.400. Is it any wonder our kidneys have difficulties eliminating all that extra? Sodium aids in regulating fluids throughout the body and the kidneys control the amount of sodium in the blood by storing or eliminating it as needed. If consumption is too much for the kidneys to keep up with sodium builds up in the blood and tissues, drawing excess fluids with it. Thisis probably the most common of all fluid retention causes.

Inadequate exercise-The body needs exercise for many different reasons, including improving circulation and aiding in the flow of fluids through cells and tissues. Without enough exercise, fluids tend to pool in the extremities and even in the face and stomach area.

Allergies-Allergic reactions trigger the release of histamines and histamines will encourage water retention as the body strives to isolate and remove irritants. Did you know that overeating can cause an allergic reaction like something too? When the stomach is overloaded, particles of food are forced into the bloodstream, causing the body to retain even more water as it tries to rid itself of the contaminants.

Dehydration-If the body doesn'thave enough fluid coming in it can't delete or properly circulate what it already has. Water serves a vital function in keeping the body clean by facilitating the flushing of toxins; insufficient amounts can cause severe damage including kidney failure.

Malnutrition-You can think you're healthy overall and still have malnutrition-related problems. Deficiencies of certain key nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and certain vitamins and minerals can cause mild to severe bloating and fluid retention. Some of these deficiencies can easily be overcome by a change in diet, but others may require supplementation to effectively correct.

Disease-Serious water retention can be a symptom of a serious medical disorder such as thyroid disease, kidney disease, kidney failure andmore. It's always a good idea to consult a doctor to make sure the causes of your retention is environmental rather than medical in nature. Water retention isn't just a comfort issue. Excess fluid in the body will make you weigh more, force your heart to work harder and is an indicator that something isn't working right to flush potentially harmful toxins from your system. There are many causes, both environmental and dietary, but most of them are fairly easily restricted or eliminated. Diet changes take a lot of personal commitment to be effective and time to exercise isn't always easy to come by, but they can make a significant difference in your overall health.

Causes and Treatment of Swollen Painful External and Internal Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are masses of swollen veins in the lower rectum or at the anus. The condition develops from increased pressure in the veins in the lower rectum most often caused by straining to have a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins--that is, blood vessels that have become unusually swollen-hat show up in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids are typically anywhere from the size of a raisin to the size of a grape. Hemorrhoids are often itchy and can be very painful, especially in the first few days postpartum. You may find some bleeding in the rectal area especially after a bowel movement, this is normal.

Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women, and about half of the population in the United States will suffer from hemorrhoids at least once by age fifty.Hemorrhoids are swollen veins and excess tissue in the lower rectum and anus. They can cause pain, bleeding, and itching. Hemorrhoids are common among pregnant women because the pressure of the fetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, causes the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge.

External Hemorrhoids, however, are commonly associated with pain and itching as well as bleeding. Thus, most of the approximately 500.000 Americans who seek medical treatment for Hemorrhoids each year are afflicted with the external type of the swollen veins. External Hemorrhoids involve the veins outside the anus. They can be itchy or painful and can sometimes crack and bleed. External hemorrhoids may also be noticed by the presence of a small protruding from the skin tagsanus or of a bulging vein type protusion around the anus.

Internal Hemorrhoids can range from small, swollen veins in the wall of the anal canal to large, sagging veins and tissue that bulge out of the anus all the time. Internal Hemorrhoids can be painful if they protrudes from all the time and are squeezed by the anal muscles, or if they are thrombosed, or clotted. Internal Hemorrhoids usually develop due to chronic constipation and are also prone to develop during a woman's pregnancy period. Internal Hemorrhoids often do not cause a visible lump or pain, but they can bleed. Bleeding from Internal Hemorrhoids typically occurs with bowel movements, causing blood-streaked stool or toilet paper.

Hemorrhoids treatment can be external or internal, or both together depending on thenature of the condition. Medicated pads contain witch hazel procurable commercially, that is a natural astringent drug which can help relieve irritation and reduce swelling. A few people are sensitive to astringents as well as the painkillers carried in hemorrhoid cream, thus care should be exercised when using these products. Natural treatments, such as Venapro, have shown to be effective in controlling and reversing symptoms dramatically.

Causes of Water Retention-10 Common Reasons For Swelling of the Body

Water retention is a common health problem that greatly affects the day to day activities of the sufferers. Water retention-medically referred to as edema-is the accumulation of excess fluid that leaks into the body tissues. The leakage will lead to swelling in all over the body (generalized swelling) or more localized swelling, such as swelling in legs, feet and ankles or fluid retention in the abdominal, the face, hands, arms, and around the lungs.

Although there are many different conditions and diseases associated with the term water retention or edema, there are several more prominent causes of water retention. And here is some of them:

1. Arthritis
Arthritis, which means joint inflammation ", is described as an inflammation of one or more joints thatinvolves the mechanical failure of cartilage resulting in joint pain, swelling and limited movement. It can affect any body from joints in the hip, spine, shoulder, heel, knee to the big toe.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis but the three most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis: and gout. Different types of arthritis show different symptoms. Common symptoms of arthritis include: persistent joint pain, fever, tenderness, joint swelling, stiffness, redness, joint inflexibility of malformation, joint and unexplained weight loss.

2. Kidney disorders
Certain forms of kidney disorders such as kidney failure and glomerular disease will lead to swelling throughout the body as well as localized swelling in the abdominal, ankle, feet and legswelling. This occurs because the kidneys have lost its normal functions including to efficiently removing salt and water out of the body. This will in turn cause the body to retain fluid and over time, get accumulated in the body tissues.

3. Chronic lung disease
Chronic lung disease is a general term of persistent lung disorders that damage the function of the lungs. Severe chronic lung disease will cause water retention in the body include fluid retention in lungs (pulmonary edema), ascites, face, neck, ankle and feet swelling. Chronic lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoke inhalation injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), lung cancer, mesothelioma, etc. may lead to pulmonary edema, ascites, abdominal swelling/fluid retention inthe neck and face, swelling in the ankles and feet.

4. Cirrhosis of the liver
Cirrhosis of the liver usually causes abdominal fluid retention. It also causes low protein albumin synthesis by the liver and results in legs and abdominal fluid retention.

5. Congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy and heart valve disease disease
Congestive heart failure obstructs the normal circulation of the blood and often leads to water retention. Two most common causes of water retention in congestive heart failure patient are: (1) the blood flow to the heart backups and leaks into the lung and vein; (2) the kidney retain fluid due to the insufficient amount of blood flow. Both cardiomyopathy and heart valve disease are a variety of heart disease and lead to heart failure.

6.Excess sodium intake
In people who are more sensitive to sodium, excess sodium intake will raise the blood pressure and lead to water retention especially in the lower extremities such as swelling in the ankles and feet.

7. Gravity
Standing or sitting too long in one position because of occupation necessity or after long trips may cause fluid retention in legs. This is usually worsened by high temperatures.

8. Pregnancy
In some cases, the uterus in pregnant women developing may press the vena cava leading to fluid retention in the legs. Hormone imbalances and increased amount of blood flow also responsible for water retention during pregnancy. The most affected areas of swelling during pregnancy are in the lower extremities especially the ankles and feet.

9.Side effects of certain medication
Certain medication such as anabolic steroid, calcium channel blockers, levitra, methadone, etc. may affect the normal functions of the body and lead to swelling particularly in the legs, feet and ankles.

10. Venous Insufficiency
Venous insufficiency is a disturbance of the blood flow in the leg veins because of the damage of the vein itself or the valves causing the fluid to leak into the backup and surrounding tissues. This disorder is one of the most common causes of water retention in legs.

Look over the list of water retention causes and decides if you are indeed experiencing one or more. Remember, many diseases take years to appear after the symptom does. Thus, you should speak to your doctor if you have any questions regardingwater retention in any parts of your body. Your doctor is the one who can tell you just what exactly the cause of your swelling and what treatment options will work best for you.

Upper Abdominal Bloating Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Considered to be the best accepted Irritable Bowel Syndrome in evidence, high belly bloating can be absolutely aching and could be actual uncomfortable. It is a bloom action wherein the being feels bound and abounding in the abdomen area. The bloating can be attributed to balance abdominal gas. If you're experiencing this frequently, it would be smart to see a physician.

Possible Causes

There are a lot of causes, the best accepted is the accession of abdominal gas and liquids.

Other causes include:

Food Allergy Overeating Aerophagia or Air Swallowing Lactose Intolerance Partial Bowel Obstruction Constipation Menstruation Visceral Fat Gastric Dumping Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome

If you anticipate that your action is associated withIrritable Bowel Syndrome, it is important that your doctor analyze it accurately and annihilate the added causes in adjustment to accommodate able treatment.

Common Symptoms

Some of the best accepted signs are:

Excessive Belching Flatulence Abdominal Pain Especially afterwards Eating
Treatment

If it is associated with IBS, your doctor will usually acclaim the afterward treatment:

Fiber Supplements-such as psyllium seed and beat Antacids-abbreviated to gas up body due to acid Diet Modification-abstain, blubbery foods and foods that produces gas IBS Medication

It is recommended that you additionally:

Eat slowly Walk afterwards anniversary meal Engage in approved concrete activity Remove accent by alleviationtechniques

With able diagnosis, analysis and management, bloating can be minimized if not avoided. The important affair is to accept your doctor accomplish a complete practical exam, medical history and medical testing ancestors in adjustment to affirm the account of this condition.

What Causes Upper Stomach Pain and Bloating?

Bloating or pain in the upper stomach can cause severe discomfort and is indicative of problems in digestion. This occurs when gas gets trapped under the abdominal cavity resulting in tightness and cramps. It may occur occasionally due to food habits or irregular meal times. However, if it occurs often, then it requires medical attention.

Common causes of bloating are mentioned below:

Obstruction in the intestine: There are high chances of a total or partial obstruction in the intestine due to tumor growth, scar tissues or gall stones formation. This results in cramping, vomiting, bloating and digestion problems.

Gastritis: If there is swelling in the stomach lining, then the individual experiences pain in the upper part of the stomach which comes along with bloating, nausea or a sensation of burning in the chest. Alcohol intake, mental stress and medicinal side effects can lead to this condition.

Lactose Intolerance: If the digestive system of a person is unable to break down lactose, then it remains undigested and then becomes fermented over time leading to pain.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): This is a disorder in the gastrointestinal tract. The large intestine becomes sensitive to gas formation and leads to disruption in the bowel movements. As a result, the patient suffers from constant constipation and diarrhea due to which he suffers cramps or bloating of the intestine.

Celiac Disease: This disease causes problems with the inner lining of the small intestine due to which food containing gluten, like rye, barley or wheat, cannot be digested. This leads to constant vomiting, nausea and bloating.

Puffy Face During Pregnancy - Is It Normal? Causes and Symptoms

Many women suffer from a puffy face during pregnancy. Normally we assume they've gained weight or are retaining excess water, since weight gain with pregnancy is normal and will often show itself in the face among other places. In fact, during the third trimester, most women wake up each morning with a swollen face. This is due to increased circulation, and is often not harmful. There are however, some causes of that need to be taken very seriously. Preeclampsia can cause a puffy face during pregnancy. This condition can be very dangerous, and if you suspect you may have it, a call to the doctor is recommended.

Characterized by edema (excess water retention), hypertension, protein in the urine (proteinuria), and sudden rapid weight gain, preeclampsia must be monitored closely. A swollen face, along with swollen hands, ankles and feet, is typical of edema. An easy test is to press in the tips your fingers and make an indention. If the flesh stays depressed longer than normal, it can be a sign of edema.

Treatment may include bed rest, elevation of legs, water increase, and avoiding salt. If these symptoms accompany mental confusion, headaches, or other neurological signs, get to your doctor or hospital right away. Dehydration can also cause a puffy face during pregnancy. When you don't take in enough water, the body tries to retain the small amount it has. Therefore the blood vessels enlarge and boom! you end up with a swollen face.

Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and excess sodium, and watch your urine color. If it's too yellow, drink more water.

Lack of vitamin C and/or beta carotene are other causes of puffy face while pregnant.

Puffy face during pregnancy should be diagnosed with every possibility. Make sure you take pregnancy vitamin supplements (as recommended by your doctor), and eat foods rich in Vitamin C, and all other required vitamins and minerals.

Due to belly size, leg pain, and other conditions, women find it hard to sleep during the last stages of pregnancy. Alas, if you don't get enough sleep, you may wake up with a swollen face. Lack of sleep is probably the most common cause of a puffy face during pregnancy. If you can't get comfortable in bed, try a big comfy chair. If you can't sleep at night, sleep during the day. If other children keep you up, ask a friend to babysit a few hours so you can get your needed rest.

What Causes Prostate Problems?

Are you really aware what causes prostate problems? The prostate gland has the responsibility of providing nutrients and liquid for ejaculation purposes that is the most important part of reproduction. Due to some irregular and processes going out of hand, it develops swells and pockets filled with fluids. As a normal process of growth, the prostate gland too continues growing with us till adulthood. This growth process picks up pace especially after age group of 40. In normal cases, this growth is not dangerous but might impact heavily if appropriate actions are not taken. The methodology is as simple as closing one end of a pine and supplying fluid from the other. The pipe starts swelling suddenly.

Actual cause: Since the problem is not special and might occur to anyone, it is necessary to know what causes prostate problems. With increase in age, the production of testosterone decreases gradually. This enhances the secretion of other hormones that tends to wind up the excess testosterone in the prostate glands. This conversion process is done by the enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase. This increase in the levels of estrogen the DHT process gets slowed down that causes growth of prostate. This is slow process and takes time to reflect in swelling. The worst part is that they are not easily detected at initial levels.

When the prostate gland starts swelling suddenly, it gets oversized and tends to develop pockets containing fluids. These enlargements press the urinary tract against the walls causing them to narrow down. What happens eventually is that the movement of the toxic material through the urinary tract becomes difficult and causes lot of pain. Even there are problems with bowel movements. The feeling of burning sensation can be felt and the pressure from the urinary tract is lowered down. These effected cells have a tendency of multiplying and subsequently spreading to other cells which is quite dangerous for anyone.

In many cases, people are not aware of the prostate gland swelling as they are not quite aware of it and do not feel the pain too much. While there are also cases reported where small swellings have caused immense pain. These facts like what causes prostate problems are important to know so that we take precautionary action and can remain abstained from it.

Folliculitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Folliculitis is the name given to a group of skin conditions. Folliculitis is defined histologically as the presence of inflammatory cells. Folliculitis is the infection of hair follicles. This can occur anywhere on the skin or scalp. It may be superficial or deep, and it causes the formation of a pustule or inflammatory nodule surrounding the hair. The inflammation can be either limited to the superficial aspect of the follicle with primary involvement of the infundibulum or the inflammation can affect both the superficial and deep aspects. Severe cases may cause permanent hair loss and scarring, and even mild folliculitis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Folliculitis may arise as hairs regrow after shaving, waxing, electrolysis or plucking. Swabs taken from the pustules are sterile i.e. there is no growth of bacteria or other organisms.

It is usually caused by bacteria. Common superficial form of infectious folliculitis is known as impetigo of Bockhart or barbers itch and is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It can also be caused by yeast and another type of fungus. Folliculitis caused by a fungus is most often seen in people who have trouble fighting infections because they have an impaired immune system. There are also forms of folliculitis which are non-infectious such as those caused by tars, oils and greases that come into contact with the skin. The lesions are seen in the bearded area, often on the upper lip near the nose, as erythematous follicular-based papules or pustules that may rupture and leave a yellow crust. The pustule is often pierced by a hair that is easily extracted from the follicle. This form of folliculitis may occur more commonly in staphylococcal nasal carriers.

Causes of Folliculitis

1. Friction from shaving.

2. Follicular trauma.

3. Excessive perspiration.

4. Occlusion.

5. Inflammatory skin conditions.

Symptoms of Folliculitis

1. Pain.

2. Erythema (inflammation and redness of the skin).

3. Edema.

4. Yellow pus-filled lesions.

5. Small pimples.

Treatment of Folliculitis

Hot tub folliculitis rarely requires treatment, although your doctor may prescribe an oral or topical medication to help relieve itching (anti-pruritic). If the patient is immunocompromised or the lesions are persistent oral ciprofloxacin may be given. Topical antibiotics, such as bacitracin with polymyxin B, may be administered. Fusidic acid is available both as a cream and as an ointment. You should apply it thinly on to the infected area 3-4 times daily.Mupirocin is available both as a cream and an ointment. You should apply it thinly on the affected area 3 times a day for up to 10 days. It may be used on all ages except for in the USA where the Bactroban nasal ointment is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Eosinophilic folliculitis therapies are effective against eosinophilic folliculitis, but topical corticosteroids are often the treatment of choice. Applying moist heat compresses to the local area helps promote vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels) and drainage from the lesions. Keeping skin clean, dry, and free from abrasions or irritation can help prevent folliculitis. More severe cases may require treatment with isotretinoin (Accutane) for several months.

Leg Edema - Causes and Treatment

When you feel a swelling sensation on your legs, most likely, you are experiencing water retention in your legs, or what is also known as leg edema. This can be a very uncomfortable feeling and can occur in either legs or one. It is noticeable if the swelling appears in the calves or the lower part of your leg.

What Are The Main Causes of Leg Edema?

Pregnancy. Leg edema commonly manifests during the last trimester of the pregnancy. Due to the growing fetus, force is applied on the vein that transmits blood from the legs, which is known as the vena cava. And since body fluid also increases during pregnancy, any excess fluid accumulates in the feet.

Prolonged sitting or standing position. One of the most common causes of leg edema is sitting or standing for long periods of time. This inhibits the circulation of blood, thus, blood is pushed down the lower leg that causes the swelling.

Side effect of medication. Some medicines, when administered to patients, produce adverse effects like swelling and soreness of the legs and other parts of the body. Examples are anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-depressants, steroids, and maintenance medicines for high blood pressure.

Allergic reaction. Allergies on certain foods or insect bites may also cause soreness. Bee stings, for example, can instantly cause the swelling of the area where a bee stung an individual. The swelling is mainly the body's response to the histamines produced by the allergic reaction.

Internal injury. In some cases, it can be brought about by an internal injury affecting the legs or failure of the kidney and other internal organs. If there is the presence of blood-clotting, it will also lead to leg edema since there is a blockage in the normal blood flow.

Enlargement of veins. When you develop varicose veins, this means the veins become enlarged, thus, causing leg and ankle swelling, accompanied by throbbing leg pain.

How Do You Treat Leg Edema?

Swelling of the legs is treatable and dependent on the cause of the edema.

Minimize salt intake. Ensure to trim down your salt intake as this is a known factor for water retention. This will include your consumption of junk food such as chips.

Take diuretics. Drinking herbal teas makes you urinate more, thus, you expel excess salt and body fluid from your body.

Elevate legs. Lie down on your bed and prop up your legs on pillows, keeping your legs above heart level. You can do this for about half an hour, 4 times a day.

Walk. Do some brisk walking as this will surely help your blood circulation and send some excess fluid back to the heart.

Sunburn - Causes, Symptoms ans Treatment

Sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin or leaves produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun 's rays. Sunburn may also occur from exposure to other UV light sources such as solaria or tanning salons. At a cellular level, sunburn is associated with microscopic changes in the skin. There is the formation of UV induced sunburn cells and a reduction in Langerhan cells and mast cells, which play an essential part of the body's immune defence system. Almost everyone has been sunburned or will become sunburned at some time. Anyone who visits a beach, goes fishing, works in the yard, or simply is out in the sun can get sunburn. Improper tanning bed use is also a source of sunburn. Although seldom fatal, sunburn can be disabling and cause quite a bit of discomfort.

Sunburn is a visible reaction of the skin's exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the invisible rays that are part of sunlight. Most of the sunlight's damage to the skin is caused by the ultraviolet B (UV-B) rays, which have long been known to hurt the skin. UV-B rays penetrate through to the lower layers of the skin, damaging skin cells. While melanin, a dark pigment in the upper layers of the skin, can protect the skin from some of the effects of UV rays, different people have different amounts of melanin in their skin. This explains why some people get burned easier than others.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US and exposure to the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer. Children often spend a good part of their day playing outdoors in the sun, especially during the summer. Children who have fair skin, moles, or freckles, or who have a family history of skin cancer, are more likely to develop skin cancer in later years. Exposure to the sun during daily activities and play causes the most sun damage. Overexposure to sunlight before age 18 is most damaging to the skin .

Causes of Sunburn

1. Consumption of birth control pills

2. Antibacterial agents used in soaps

3. Outdoor activities like swimming, skiing and hiking

Symptoms of Sunburn

1. Chills.

2. Nausea or vomiting.

3. Swelling of the skin.

4. Dizziness or headaches.

5. Flu-like symptoms may develop.

6. Fever.

Treatment of Sunburn

Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation whilst paracetamol will also help. Avoid applying petroleum jelly or lotions which can hold the heat intact the burned skin. However, moisturizing lotions can be relieving. To alleviate the pain and swelling, patients may be asked to take aspirin. Increased fluid loss can occur through badly sunburned skin, so fluid replenishment with an 'isotonic' drink is recommended. Avoid more sun exposure until the skin completely heals, usually within one or two weeks.

Swollen Ankle Causes

Swelling of the ankles is basically due to a buildup of fluids in the tissues surrounding that area. It can be attributed to many causes such as edema, where due to improper circulation, fluid is trapped between the cells.

It can be a side effect from certain medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure. Arthritis can cause swelling as can the condition known as gout, where uric acid accumulates around the ankle causing swelling and inflammation.

Those who are obese are more prone to suffer from swelling ankles. Also the use of certain medications especially diuretics and laxatives tend to cause the ankles to swell up.

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to swelling in the ankles. Senior citizens are more likely to have this condition as the cartilage in the joints starts to degenerate.

Blood clots will cause the ankles and feet to swell. These are known as vascular obstructions. And of course injuries to the area such as sprains and breaks will cause swelling.

If the liver is not functioning correctly, then fluids and salts will start to accumulate in the feet. This may be due to cirrhosis of the liver.

For women, pregnancy can be a cause of swelling ankles. This condition is usually just a temporary condition, but if there is a lot of swelling, it could be a sign of toxemia or even pre-eclampsia.

It is important to seek professional medical advice if this is a recurring problem. This due to the fact that swelling of the ankles can be an early sign of more serious problems down the road such as kidney, heart, and liver complications. Through a complete physical examination and a range of other tests including kidney function tests, electrocardiograms, urine tests, blood tests and x-rays, a diagnosis can be made.

If you stand for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces such as concrete, then you may have problems with your feet and swelling. Gel insoles and rubber mats may help somewhat.

And of course proper footwear will have a great effect on your feet. For women especially who wear the latest designer shoes, in particular, high heels. The high heels offer no ankle support at all leading to a great deal of strain around that area and in effect cause it to swell.

There are a few things you can do to help yourself. You should always try to elevate your feet when sitting. Wear looser fitting clothing. compression stockings will help stop some of the fluid buildup. Exercising, cutting down on salt intake and drinking enough water everyday will help in most cases.