Hot weather is one of the causes of water retention. The fact remains that the body tends to be less efficient at removing the fluids from the tissues during the summer months. Burns, including sunburn are the other causes of water retention. The skin tends to retain fluid and swells as a response to the burn injuries. Some women tend to experience oedema in the two weeks just prior to their menstrual cycle.
During pregnancy the hormones encourage the body to hold onto the excess fluid. Also, the oral contraceptives which include oestrogen can help to trigger fluid retention. Dietary deficiency, which includes insufficient protein or vitamin B1 (thiamine) in the diet are the other causes of water retention.
Certain drugs, which include high blood pressure medication, the antihypertensives, can also lead to water retention, besides the corticosteroids as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Chronic venous insufficiency, which refers to weakened valves in the veins of the legs are not effective in efficiently returning the blood to the heart. This pooling of blood can lead to varicose veins.
Fluid retention may also be symptomatic of serious underlying conditions, which include kidney disease, like nephrotic syndrome and acute glomerulonephritis; as well as heart failure. In case the heart is not pumping effectively, the body tends to compensate in various ways. It begins to retain fluid as well as increase the volume of blood leading to congestion of the veins, enlargement of liver, as well as the accumulation of fluid in body cavities such as the abdominal cavity and in subcutaneous tissues, which turns into causes of water retention of the legs.
Chronic lung diseases, like severe emphysema, tend to put excessive pressure on the heart’s right ventricle, which may even lead to its failure. Liver disease, like severe cirrhosis may also trigger liver failure.