Our bodies are constantly adjusting fluid levels based on what we drink and eat. Usually our bodies do an admirable job of quickly correcting fluid balance. But sometimes the balance gets temporarily thrown off. Too much salt or alcohol, long periods of inactivity and, for women, monthly hormone fluctuations or pregnancy can all tip the scale toward fluid retention. A sudden weight gain of several pounds may be your first and only sign that you're retaining fluid.
Swollen ankles are a common tip-off, too.
For mild fluid retention, here's what experts suggest. Get into deep water. As any skin diver knows, water pressure forces fluid out of tissues and, ultimately, into the bladder. You can get similar results by exercising in a swimming pool, according to Vern L. Katz, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina Medical School at Chapel Hill. Avoid using diuretics.