Fluid Retention: Causes, Signs, and What You Can Do

When your body holds onto too much fluid, it’s called fluid retention, the abnormal buildup of liquid in tissues that causes visible swelling. Also known as edema, it shows up as puffy ankles, tight shoes, or a bloated belly—and it’s not just about eating too much salt. This isn’t a standalone condition. It’s a signal. Something else in your body is out of balance.

Common triggers include standing too long, hormonal shifts, or even certain meds like blood pressure pills. But deeper causes matter more: heart failure, when the heart can’t pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid backup in legs and lungs, or kidney disease, where poor filtration lets fluid and sodium pile up. Even liver problems can cause fluid to leak into the abdomen. If you’re swollen and tired, dizzy, or short of breath, this isn’t normal puffiness—it’s your body asking for help.

What you eat plays a big role too. High sodium intake pulls water into tissues, and not everyone reacts the same. Some people stay fine eating chips; others swell up after a salty meal. That’s called salt sensitivity, a condition where the body struggles to excrete excess sodium, leading to fluid buildup. Diuretics can help, but they’re not a fix-all. The real goal is finding the root cause—whether it’s your meds, your diet, or an underlying health issue.

Some of the posts here dig into how certain drugs—like laxatives or antihistamines—can mess with your fluid balance. Others show how conditions like high blood pressure or hormonal changes link directly to swelling. You’ll find practical tips on spotting early signs, when to call a doctor, and what lifestyle tweaks actually make a difference. No fluff. Just what works.