Fluid retention in body alerts underlying health problem

Dr Okezie Emenike, an Abuja based medical practitioner, has urged patients with fluid retention in the body to seek urgent medical assistance.

He gave the advice in an interview with the Newsmen today in Abuja.

He explained that patients with fluid retention needed urgent and proper medical evaluation in order to identify the root cause.

Emenike, who is a general physician, described water retention as an abnormal accumulation of clear watery fluid in the tissues or cavities of the body.

He also said that the body used hormone-like substance called prostaglandins to keep the volume of fluid in the body at a steady level.

According to him, fluid in the body is drained out by lymphatic system, while the waste product are removed from the body tissues and when the body cannot get rid of excess water it accumulates fluids.

Emenike identified lack of exercise as a common cause of water retention, saying that muscle action is needed not only to keep the blood flowing through the veins but also to stimulate the lymphatic system to fulfill its overflow function.

He attributed protein deficiency, pregnancy, uterine fibroid, kidney failure as well as congestive heart failure as other causative factors to the condition.

Emenike also blamed some medications such as oral contraceptive pill, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, lack of vitamins B and magnesium as factors that pose the risk of developing the condition.

However, the medical doctor said that treatment of the condition should start from identifying the primary cause of the condition.

He therefore recommended diuretic medications if water retention was caused by heart or kidney disease.

He also suggested addressing the cause of leaked capillaries as well as proffer solution to break protein in the body in order to treat protein related water retention.

Besides, he enjoined patients with the condition to avoid alcoholic drinks, caffeine, reduce salt intake and consume foods rich in potassium and vitamin B, among others.