Dehydration and Water Retention.

How do you get rid of dehydration, water retention and its associated symptoms?

When you retain water it may be a sign that the body is in fact in need of fluid.  When we are not taking in enough of the right fluids then our body takes measures to retain the remaining water in the system as effectively as possible.  Extracellular spaces in the body will fill up with water and this is called 'fluid retention'.  People experience this as swollen hands, feet or legs. 

Dehydration and water retention can also lead to  headaches.  The  eliminatory organs may not be getting enough fluid to eliminate toxins from the blood.  Being dehydrated can also bring on muscle aches and cramps, especially if potassium is low.  This may also lead to abdominal cramping. If there is not enough water and electrolytes (such as essential minerals sodium and potassium) present in the body, your muscles will not be able to perform correctly and you may experience muscle spasms and cramps. The essential minerals sodium and potassium need to be in a good balance to retain optimal hydration levels and overall good health.

 

Rehydration may alleviate symptoms and increasing your fluid intake to 2 litres a day and reducing your tea and coffee to one or two cups a day.  This may give your body the fluid it needs to avoid retaining it in the extracellular spaces.  Choose hydrating drinks such as water, juice and herbal tea as alternatives to tea and coffee. 

When drinking teas try to avoid drinking them with meals as the tannins in them may negatively impact your digestion.  Caffeine and alcohol with meals may also inhibit your digestion and interfere with nutrient absorption.  If you consume tea and coffee throughout the day you may have a low nutritional profile and therefore may be depleted of essential minerals.  If the body is low in essential minerals then all the body’s systems may get out of balance, especially the delicate fluid balance.

If in doubt, reach for a glass of water!

Josie