Water retention is very common in the feet, ankles and the face. Edema and puffiness of the face can have a wide variety of causes, you need to ascertain your cause and start prompt treatment.
Common etiological actors for water retention in the face are:
- Excessive intake of salt
- Certain medications
- Pregnancy
- Hypothyroidism
- Heart trouble
- Kidney damage and kidney failure
Symptoms Of Water Retention In Face
The face becomes swollen and puffy; more so, in the mornings.
Hypothyroidism is associated with hair fall, fatigue, constipation and irregular menses; heart trouble is seen as hypertension and breathless; kidney failure is associated with decreased urinary output.
Home Remedies To Reduce Water Retention In Face
- First and foremost, you need to reduce your intake of salt. Steer clear of fast foods and prepackaged foods. Also, experts state that potassium counterbalances the sodium levels. Step up your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables – limes, sweet potatoes, berries, spinach, bananas, oranges, prunes, tomatoes, and cantaloupe.
- Regular exercise is an effective instrument to allay as well prevent fluid retention. Ensure that you exercise at least thrice a week; confer with your health care provider / fitness expert.Exercise relieves fluid retention by sweating and increasing the need to urinate. Work out for half an hour at least three times a week, and if you have a sedentary lifestyle with a desk-bound job, you need to get up every hour to move and stretch.
- Also, you need to cut back on dehydrating drinks – coffee, tea, soda and alcohol. Certain herbal supplements such as dandelion leaf and horsetail are known to have a diuretic effect. Talk to an expert before embarking upon any supplementation.
- Drink loads of water; make sure you are having a minimum of 3 liters per day; dehydration is an important cause of puffiness and bloating. Also, drink other fluids – lime water, coconut water, fruit juices and broths.
- Limit your sugar intake. Excessive amounts of sugar raises the level of the hormone insulin, which makes removal of salt more difficult. Thus, keep your consumption of salt and sugar low.
- Herbal teas are excellent to manage water retention successfully. Lemongrass tea, lemon tea, ginger tea and parsley tea are recommended. Parsley tea is specially recommended given that it has a mild diuretic effect. Drink 2 to 3 cups of herbal tea daily.
- Massaging affords significant help as well. Massage the face gently using circular strokes. Rub in the direction of the heart, which helps get the surplus fluid flowing away from the swollen and puffy area.
- Elevate your head when you sleep / lie down. Place an additional pillow which helps raise your head a couple of inches. Fluids are known to accumulate and pool in the face whilst you sleep; hence, this method will prevent fluid retention overnight.
- Confer with your health care provider in case you need to carry out any tests and investigations to ascertain the cause, such as heart trouble or hypothyroidism. Once the cause has been determined you need to start the appropriate treatment regimen. Furthermore, if you are onto any medications discuss with your doctor and see if they could be causing the edema.