Fluid Retention: Home Remedies

Fluid retention or Water retention occurs due to abnormal accumulation of fluid in and around, cells, tissues etc. This can be usually seen in changing weather, high salt intake & hormonal change during menstrual cycle. Swelling is seen across feet, ankles & hands which also show stiffness in movement due to the same. The body uses a system of hormones and hormone-like substances called prostaglandins to keep its volume of fluid at a constant level. If one were to intake excessive amount of fluids in a day, the amount of fluid would not be affected in the long-term, because the kidneys quickly excrete the excess in the form of urine. Likewise, if one did not get enough to drink, the body would hold on to its fluids and urinate less than usual.

Follow these to avoid water retention:
1. Do not drink alcohol: Alcohol leads to water retention and so taking alcohol is a bad option for people with fluid intake
2. Change your salt intake: Avoid packaged food as they usually have a much higher content of salt in them. This part plays an important role in fluid retention.
3. Avoid wearing tight clothes: They tend to form pockets in the body which give space for the fluid to stay.
4. Keep your feet at an elevated position: This movement against the gravity helps the movement of the fluids in the body & does not allow the fluid to retain at the feet.

Some Home Remedies to help you against fluid retention:
1. Drink Water: Drinking more & more fluids increases the activities of the kidney & helps the body flush out excess fluids from the body.
2. Lemon juice: Lemon juice helps the body to hydrate & thus helps you flush out excess fluid and toxins from the body. It acts as an excellent remedy for fluid retention.
3. Fennel Seeds (Saunf): It is a diuretic (which promotes the production of urine & flushes out excess fluid). It increases the sodium & water output from the kidneys, and is also known to aid in digestion & relieves gas. Drinking the warm water soaked with fennel 3-4 times a day helps alot.
4. Garlic: It is known for its effectiveness for digestion related issues, also for breaking downs fats. It also helps in fluid retention problems in a big manner. Take 2-3 cloves in the morning empty stomach.
5. Onion: It is a great diuretic, and helps in fluid retention. Also eating raw onion with each meal helps increase the insulin production in the body & diabetes patients are greatly benefited.

I hope these remedies & changes in lifestyle can do wonders for you. Also to remember that it is best to try natural diuretics in the above mentioned scenario rather than taking medicines because they might have lots of side-effects on the functioning of the kidney.

Beat the Heat

Hi Friends! With half of May gone all of us are facing the heat wave. Let's list down a few health tips you need to take in consideration for the long summers. Beat the heat with home remedies!

5 Tips to Beat the Heat

1. Drink lot of water: Keep yourself hydrated whether the summers are dry or humid. If the weather outside is dry then the sun tends to suck away the water from your skin. You will feel dehydrated, though you are not sweating. In case of humid summers, you tend to sweat a lot, slowly the body becomes dehydrated & there are chances that you might even faint. So make sure to remain hydrated and keep yourself safe.

2. Eat Onions: Onions are a crucial part of the Indian cuisine, this is because of the medicinal values rather than the taste. They are rich in amino acids methionine & cystine also good amount of Vitamin C, this can help detox the body. Onions are known for treating inflammations & heat stroes almost instantaneously. Not only this our mother always told to carry an onion in the pocket when out in the sun, it is said to save you from the heat wave.

3. Avoid the sun: It is best to stay away from the sun during the summers. If you have to go out make sure you wear a good amount of sunscreen to avoid harmful rays. When inside your home pull the curtains & close the windows as soon as the sun is up. If in a dry place then you can place a desert cooler on your window so that the hot air passing through the water circulated pads can make your home cooler. If you do not have a cooler, then place watered pads on the windows & the wind passing through them will keep your home cool.

4. Eat Light:  Summers are a time when it becomes difficult for your poor stomach to digest easily. It is advised to eat light food. It will help you keep light & cool. Eat more salads & green veggies to keep yourself healthy. Avoid carbonated beverages, they might col you for the time being but the loads of sugar present in the drinks can make you gain weight & lazy. Also it is seen if you eat chilies, the capscain found in them would help you generate & cool your body eventually.

5. Dress Accordingly: Wear clothing which helps your skin breathe, cotton & summer cool allows your skin to come into contact with air which helps you remain cooler as you perspire freely. Silk or thick synthetic clothing covers your skin but meanwhile your skin is not able to come into contact with air & the sweat accumulating can cause rashes & outbreaks. Even your feet should be allowed to breathe & make sure your shoes let your feet passage of air. You will avoid smelly feet & also any kind of fungal infections, taking care for diabetic patients is even more important.

Hope these simple tips help you have good summers. Also share your tips! Thanks!