Fluid retention is the accumulation of fluids between the cells of the body. The main symptom is the swelling (edema), mainly observed in the legs, hands, belly and ankles.
Fluid retention occurs when capillaries, very fine blood vessels, become swollen or dilated and allow fluids to flow to the tissues, these fluids being composed mainly of Water.
This can happen for a number of reasons: heat, hormonal changes, menstruation, pregnancy, excess salt in the diet, lack of physical activity, medications, nutritional deficiencies or even more serious problems such as heart, kidney or liver failure.
The main sign that the body is doing fluid retention is swelling in the legs, especially in the region of the ankles, which can easily be seen in the marks left by the elastic when removing the socks.
To find out if your fluid retention deserves attention, do the following test: Press the ankle region with your fingertip. If the pressure leaves a deeper mark, it needs special care.
If swelling occurs in the whole body, it may be a symptom of problems in the heart, kidneys or liver, so it needs to be investigated.
Look for a general practitioner, family doctor or nephrologist in the presence of these symptoms.
