A lot of different things can cause water retention, including the following:
Hormone changes, heart conditions, deep vein thrombosis, menstrual cycle bloating, poor diet, pregnancy certain medications, kidney problems, stress, inflammation, and yes, traveling.
Our body is over two-thirds fluid, and when you’re not properly hydrated, or experiencing one of the conditions above, your body often hangs onto water.
Water retention may cause you to feel heavier than normal, and less active. The bloating, puffiness, and swelling may cause discomfort, and be emotionally scary.
Symptoms of water retention include
- abdominal bloating (might be other places, but abdominal is the most common)
- swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles
- puffiness in your abdomen, face, and hips
- stiff joints
- weight gain
- indentations in the skin
When you retain water and swell specifically during travel, here’s what’s most likely going on.
If it’s air travel, changes in cabin pressure, combined with sitting for an extended period of time, may cause your body to hold onto water.
Also, due to gravity, standing OR sitting too long (like you might during a long car ride) keeps blood in your lower extremities.
If you have a sedentary job, or you’re frequently on long car trips, make sure you stand up and move around. Moving around every so often helps keep the blood circulating.
Another thing you can do is wear compression stockings, which squeeze your legs and prevent fluid from accumulating.
Elevating your feet may help, too, but it depends on the type of swelling.
Dry brushing, which can help improve circulation, may also provide relief from swelling.
If you have concerns about swelling, always check with your doctor, as fluid retention may be a symptom of heart problems (or other serious conditions).
Not everyone who travels experiences swelling in the legs, but if you do, the tips in this post may help you find relief…or at the very least, manage the swelling!
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