If you have one high-sodium meal and then return to normal, healthy dietary habits, you'll likely return to your normal weight in 1-2 days. If you're returning from a vacation of over-indulging and are retaining a higher amount of excess fluid, it may take longer.
Dehydration can make the body hold on to extra water to make up for the lack of incoming water. Water also improves kidney function, allowing excess water and sodium to be flushed out of the system. Adults should drink around 2 liters of water a day.
Magnesium sulphate, more commonly known as Epsom Salt, can help to reduce muscle spasms, lower inflammation and decrease swelling, the latter two contributing to symptomatic relief of edema. In a warm bath, dissolve a cup of Epsom salt in the bath. Soak your legs (or affected body parts) for at least 20 minutes.
It may sound contradictory, but a well-hydrated body is less likely to retain fluid. Cut back on dehydrating drinks such as tea, coffee and alcohol. Cranberry juice has a mild diuretic action. Lie down with your legs higher than your head, when possible.
Some herbs and dietary supplements may help you excrete water (diuretic) and help with sodium and water retention. Examples include dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper. But proceed with caution before taking any products that have a diuretic effect.
Fluid retention can be controlled by eating a diet low in sodium – no more than 2,000 mg a day – and higher in potassium. You can find a list of high-sodium foods to avoid in the General Guidelines for Healthy Eating. You can increase your potassium intake by eating potassium-rich foods such as: Apricots.
Drinking water right before bed doesn't necessarily assist with weight loss, Ehsani adds. True, there are studies linking sufficient water intake with weight loss overall, but that's not related to intake before bedtime. It's related to drinking sufficient water at and around mealtimes, she says.
If you are dealing with edema, drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to get rid of this problem. It is also a good idea to avoid alcohol. This is because alcohol tends to dehydrate the body, causing your body to remove fluids from the blood at a faster rate than other liquids.
Apple cider vinegar has natural diuretic properties and can help you reduce excess fluid retention. However, if you are already taking a medication like spironolactone for your resistant hypertension, you should avoid apple cider vinegar, except the goal is to lower potassium levels.
Swollen feet can happen at any stage of heart failure, but worsening edema may mean that heart failure is becoming more severe.
What are the best herbal teas for diuresis? “Horsetail, Birch, Couch Grass, Anise, and Nettle can stimulate diuresis. Excellent diuretics are also orthosiphon or Java tea, as well as hawkweed, artichoke and burdock with their anti-inflammatory properties” – announces the specialist.
In fact, both apple juice and applesauce contain about 88% water! A 4 oz (1/2 cup or 125 mL) portion of either provides about 3½ oz (110 mL) of water.
Drinking a gallon of water a day is usually safe for most, but drinking too much water can be risky for those with certain health conditions like kidney disorders or heart problems, says Ellen Landes, RDN, CPT, a registered dietician based in St. Charles, Illinois, and owner of The Runner's Dietitian.