Suggestions needed

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Suggestions needed
15
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 11:32am

I usually drink about 50-60 oz of water per day. I probably pee only a couple of times so I assume I'm retaining water. How do I keep this from happening? Is there an over the counter water pill I can take? Do I need to increase my water intake? Any and all suggestions are welcome!!!

Lisa

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2006
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 2:41pm
Hello!! I have always made sure to drink alot of water. But, I have found that at times during the menstrual cycle, a woman's body will retain some water anyhow. I have found that eating 2 or 3 celery sticks a day helps to flush the excess water. You would be amazed, try it! I agree with the comment about salt intake. People don't realize how much salt they are really eating, and that can hold the water in.
Definitely go by your urine color. A well hydrated body produces very clear urine. Don't go by thirst. A body that feels thirsty is already dehydrated.
Keep that water flowing! It's a cure for a lot of things!

Farmer's wife and mother of four, blessed and grateful.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2007
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 4:18pm
I had a pulmonologist who told me I would know I was properly hydrated when it was "Same color in - same color out" when it came to water drinking. Since I tend to be dehydrated due to a respiratory issue, it takes a lot to keep me hydrated so I understand your "pain". But I have learned to like water. Beware of herbal teas since some can create other problems if you drink too much.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2007
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 6:34pm
When I'm really bloated just before my period, i take some dandilion root in pill form. It's a _very_ strong diuretic, but it's the only thing that works for me. You have to be careful with dandilion if you have kidney problems, so do your research before giving it a try.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2005
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 7:23pm

I think 50-60 ounces per day is right around the minimum daily recommendation. I am an avid water drinker, and have recently noticed the same symptoms of water retention. Actually, what is happening is drinking water is making me gaseous, and it feels like I cannot release the pressure by burping or otherwise. I have never had this problem before until now. I went to a natural/holistic center and the person was telling me that a lot of people drink 60 and more ounces of water a day but the mistake we're making is drinking it all at once. She said the body can only USE about eight ounces each hour; the excess gets excreted. To combat this, we should drink eight ounces of water every hour on the hour, beginning an hour after we wake up and stopping an hour before going to bed. This will keep the body hydrated and alleviate any bloating or water retention due to excess water consumption. It also maximizes the usage of the water that you are drinking.

You may also want to check the sodium content of your diet. Excess salt can also make you retain water. Decrease the salt intake and increase the water intake a little more over the course of the day according to the 8ounce an hour rule and see if that helps.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2007
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 11:16pm
Propel packets that can be added to water are great, also. I keep a bottle of lemon juice in the fridge at work, and add a few drops to my water which seems to help!

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