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WATER
RETENTIONä
Water
retention, medically termed edema, is not just a cosmetic issue
affecting our looks. Water
retention is a fluid imbalance that affects every aspect of our
body, even every individual cell function. The amount of water,
inside and outside the cells, is regulated by hormones, sodium
and the kidneys. When there
is too much sodium in your body your blood becomes saltier and
water is drawn from your cells to dilute it, therefore, causing
an imbalance. Our bodies are designed with various physiological
functions to keep water balance.
Sometimes these delicate functions get thrown off and
tendencies to retain water begin.
These
imbalances can cause slow metabolism and cause fat gain, chronic
fatigue, mood and emotional problems, cardiovascular problems,
circulatory problems, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, headaches,
hormone imbalances, joint problems, sleep problems, immune
problems, digestive disorders, sinus, skin problems, eye
problems, and even sexual problems.
Our
bodies are constantly adjusting fluid levels based on what we
drink and eat. This
accumulation of fluid in body tissue most often occurs in the
feet and ankles, but can occur in any part of the body. If socks leave an indented
ring around the calf, this is a good indicator of edema.
Edema
may be very slight, causing rings on fingers to feel tight or the
face to feel puffy. It may
even be severe enough to cause stretching and shininess of the
skin along with a stinging pain and overall weight gain.
Fluid
retention can also be caused by allergies. It is important to identify
substances that provoke allergic reactions. Some of the most common
foods, which cause allergic reactions, are chocolate, dairy
products, eggs, shellfish, strawberries and wheat. Some reactions occur as soon
as one starts chewing. Delayed
reactions are harder to detect.
Many
women develop some degree of edema during pregnancy. The rise in estrogen in the
body during pregnancy increases the tendency to retain fluids. .
Some
people's bodies seem to retain water with no apparent
explanations. Puffiness may
come and go in cycles and may be related to hormone fluctuations. It can affect both men and
women. In women it usually
occurs in the week before menstruation and among women past
menopause who take estrogen replacement hormones. In some cases, water
retention signals something more serious. If your finger leaves an
indentation when you poke your skin, you may want to check with
your health care provider to rule out any problem with your
heart, kidneys, liver or thyroid.
Discuss
any medications you're taking with your health care provider
(HCP). If taking steroids,
be sure to let your HCP know about your water retention problem. Diuretics have potent side
effects. Diuretics set up the
potential for something called rebound edema. If you're taking them
steadily for minor fluid retention, the diuretics turn on a lot
of salt and water retaining hormones.
When you stop taking them, the high levels of hormones cause a
lot more sodium and water retention and you get into a vicious
cycle. Diuretics force the
elimination of water from the body without correcting the
underlying dysfunctions that have caused the problem.
The
common side effects of diuretics are dehydration, electrolyte
imbalances, and excess potassium loss in the urine causing a
potassium deficiency, low blood pressure caused by the loss of
too much fluid. If you are a
diabetic, the diuretic may increase your blood sugar. Dehydration can cause
faintness, dizziness or lightheadedness, headaches, nausea, loss
of coordination and balance, cramps, kidney and heart failure.
A
"natural diuretic", is designed to activate your body's
natural ability to maintain water balance safely and naturally
with no side effects.
SafeCare’s™
new medically metered pump spray allows easy one-handed relief
whenever needed. Just 3 pump
sprays under the tongue can provide relief from all the
symptoms of water retention.
SafeCare™ Water
Retention™
is designed to help:
¨
Swelling
in feet and legs or puffing up of various parts of body
¨
General
soreness and sensitivity to touch
¨
Relieve
numbness of hands and tips of fingers
¨
Relieve
hives with intolerable itching
¨
Relieve
pain in region of kidneys
¨
Relieve
frequent urination
¨
Relieve
puffy sensation in head and headaches
¨
Provides
backache relief when associated with painful, sensitive kidneys
Healthy
lifestyle management will help you have abundant life. Almost everyone has
experienced some form of water retention at one point or another. Activity and diet play a
major role in keeping water retention to a minimum. The following steps
incorporated into your daily life can assist you in optimal
health and help you live a higher level of life
v
Drink
plenty of water. Eight
(8) glasses a day are minimum.
v
Consider
a whole foods diet. Focus on whole grains and
watery vegetables. Increase
you intake of raw food: A
high fiber diet is important. Good
sources of protein are eggs, broiled white fish, broiled skinless
chicken and turkey and bison. Avoid foods that tend to worsen
edema: caffeine, alcohol, salt, fried foods, dairy products,
animal protein, gravies, white sugar, white flour, chocolate,
olives, pickles, tobacco, soy sauce.
v
Shake
the salt habit. Too much salt makes your body
retain fluid. 2000
milligrams of sodium a day is considered safe for a healthy
adult. One half teaspoon
of table salt is equal to 1150 milligrams
v
Exercise
daily. Activities like walking,
bicycling and tennis help pump out water and other fluids that
accumulate in legs and ankles. Exercising
in water gives great results as water pressure forces fluid out
of tissues and into the bladder.
Flexing your legs while sitting is good for people who are
limited in their activity.
v
Consider
supplements:
vitamin B complex, potassium, vitamin C, and pantothenic acid. You can take up to 200 mg. of
B6 daily to help reduce premenstrual water retention. Higher doses should be under
the supervision of your health care provider. A calcium supplement may
provide relief from premenstrual water retention. Check with your health care
professional about taking any of these supplements.
v
Elevate
your legs
for a few minutes each day. If
pregnant, lie on your side with feet propped up on a stack of
pillows.
v
Avoid
constricting clothing, ill-fitting footwear and hosiery. Tight garments should be
avoided because they can apply too much pressure that can
restrict the removal of fluids and cause edema. Wristwatches, rings,
bracelets, socks and even shoes worn too tight can aggravate and
in some cases cause swelling.
v
Maintain
proper body weight. Overweight people have more
of a chance of developing edema.
They are also more likely to be affected by heat and humidity,
which can aggravate swelling.
When
to Seek Professional Help
Consult a licensed health care professional if symptoms
persist for more than 5 days or worsen.
If pregnant or nursing, take only on advice of physician.
Keep this and all medications out of reach of children.
To
learn more about SafeCareÔ
Natural Medicines
and your family’s health, visit us at www.safe-care.com. If your retailer does not
stock a particular product, let us know at 800-543-3245. You may also reach us by fax
at 828-683-2221, by email at info@www.safe-care.com,
or write us at King Bio Pharmaceuticals, PO Box 6653, Asheville,
NC 28816.