Water Retention

This is a problem I had for years (over 25 years!), which I treated with prescription diuretics (water pills). Do NOT go there if you can avoid it! You are going to have to break down and drink water. It's the best way to flush your system of the water it's retaining.

When your body is not getting enough water, it will hold on to the meager supply it has. Also, the body cannot distinguish the difference between hunger and thirst, so thirst can actually be interpreted as hunger, causing us to eat more than we should, or than we need.

Water is an absolutely critical part of the diet. The body is 70% water, and we are constantly losing that precious fluid through perspiration and elimination.

When you are well hydrated, everything in your body functions better, and even energy and state of mind are effected. And it does wonders for the skin! It is the greatest moisturizer there is, and for people with acne, it is the greatest pore de-clogger around.

The consequences I suffered from not drinking enough water and taking diuretics were plentiful. The worst one, and the one that had me rushed to the emergency room in the middle of the night, was a 9.5 mm kidney stone (almost twice the size that can be passed naturally) that had to be blasted surgically. I was sent home with a stent in my urethra, and after it was removed two weeks later, it took me another two weeks to pass all the fragments. I peed what looked like kitty litter during that time, and it was painful.

That was how I learned that the main causes of kidney stones are: dehydration, diuretics, excess caffeine, and nuts. I still enjoy my coffee, but no more than three (actual) cups a day. Remember that a "cup of coffee" is only 6 oz. A big mug is a double serving.

Buy an inexpensive water filtering system, like a Britta or Pur pitcher to keep in the fridge, and use it! Add fresh lemon to the water if it helps. It's good for you, too. You can also make a pitcher of "tea" by using the juice of one lemon and honey to taste per cup of hot water. Then let it cool in the fridge. This is a delicious and very healthy lemonade that's packed with anti bacterial agents (both the lemon and honey), and very good for hydration. You can also drink it hot

Believe me, you do not want to go through what I did with that enormous kidney stone. People have died from septic shock when kidney stones get stuck in the ureter, and that had been happening to me on and off for five years before I was properly diagnosed. Not to mention the blood in my urine sometimes for days at a time. My doctor misdiagnosed me, but that's another story. By the time I went to the hospital, I was doubled over in pain for six hours, vomiting, and running a fever. I was well on my way to a very serious health crisis.

It's pretty common to get water retention (bloating) during or close to your period. One side effect of birth control pills is not having that or decreasing it.

The best way to combat water retention is to drink lots of water. Forget the old 6-8 cups a day - that's a bare minimum. You should double that. And for every caffiene drink you have you should add a cup of water because caffiene tends to negate the effect. Keep a water bottle on/near your desk at work. Also eat lots of diurectic(sp) foods like watermelon and cucumbers - they are a natural "water pill".

First and foremost, there ARE other alternatives than taking a water pill. You NEED to drink water, but also consider GREEN TEA. Green tea is one of the top 5 weight loss supplements, contains a TON of antioxidants AND there is a chemical that helps trigger fat loss. It REALLY helps get rid of water weight. Even while training and competing I drink green tea to get rid of any excess water weight NOT water pills. Remember than you may also be losing other necessary nutrients when you take water pills, things like potassium, etc.

Put a water bottle in the kitchen, by the computer, in your car, etc. ANYWHERE you are going to be. It's a visual reminder. You need at minimum, 50% of your body weight in oz of water DAILY. If you exercise, you'll need more.

Lastly, during those days, pay ATTENTION to what you're eating! Limit refined carbohydrates and high glycemic foods. This will helps a TON in keeping the water weight down. For every gram of carbs you intake, you HOLD 3-4g of water! That's why bodybuilders deplete carbs. NOT to lose weight, but to look shredded by eliminating the excess water.

If you put a piece of bread in water, it will absorb it. Your body reacts in a similar fashion. Notice how you feel when intaking high carbs and refined ones vs. low carb and low glycemic. There is a REASON!

Between getting in your water and/or green tea and utilizing this piece of info, you should notice a HUGE difference!!!

Hi K....I don't have a whole lot of advice on the water retention however, at giant eagle you can get the generic of ortho tri cyclen for $9 without insurance so you might want to check into it. I think they even have something online so if you don't have one in your area you may be able to reap the benefits online.
Have a great day,
J.

I retain water like crazy the week before and the week of my period. I can gain almost an entire pants size! It's nothing to worry about unless you're retaining water ALL the time. There are a few things you can do to help. First is, of course, to drink more water. I'm like you and I just can't seem to get all that water in! I want to drink it, I have every intention of drinking it, but I never do! Now that I'm pregnant (and dehydrated) I HAVE to drink lots of water. I got a cheap 24 oz cup from WalMart and carry it with me through out the day. I've found that if I have it around me, I'm more likely to drink it. Another thing, and it's a biggie, cut down on you salt intake. Salt will make you retain water. It's amazing how much sodium things have in them. Look at the labels on things like salad dressing, ketchup, canned food, prepackaged food (like the Lipton sides), and of course snack foods like chips. I have greatly reduced the amount of sodium I eat and it's amazing how much of a difference it's made. Lastly, you can take medicine like Pamperin to help with the bloating. Most likely it's something you can help with just a few small diet changes. Good luck! :)

My first question would be "how much water are you drinking in a day?" It is a myth that drinking too much water makes you swell up. In fact, it does quite the opposite. How much H2O do we need? Half your body weight in ounces per day will provide you with the proper amount. You say you "forget", but if I said I would give you a Million Dollar Reward ...would you find a way to remember to consume enough water each day? My advice...try it for 30 days and see how much better you feel!

Yours in health,
D.

I have never taken birth control pills (well once for two weeks, got a blood clot at 18 and found out I had an underlying problem and can now no longer take it.) :( Anyways, I gain weight every month with my periods, always have. My OB says many people do whose hormones aren't regulated (aka not on the birth control pill).
I would not take any "water pill" without first talking to your doctor. It will release the water but if you are not properly hydrated and know what signs and symptoms to look for you could have sever side effects (water pill causes your body to release other electrolyetes such as potassium in your body which your heart needs to work properly. If you don't know what to look for or how to compensate this loss then it could be more than a few pounds you lose at the end of the week--it could be your life.)
I personally think that the water weight is ok for the week as long as your not getting short of breathe and at the end of the week your body naturally releases it. I have not had a doctor tell me to do anything special about mine, but I don't have active swelling either--I gain all over. So you can call and just ask the doc over the phone about advice or if you need to come, that may not be such a bad idea. Best of luck!