How Drinking Water Affects Swelling, Lymphedema, and Fluid Retention

Staying hydrated can have a significant effect on lymphedema, swelling, and keeping your lymphatic system healthy. It's common to think that if you have fluid or water retention in your legs, face, or body, or are swollen, you want to avoid drinking too much water to avoid making it worse. But in the video, I share the truth about how drinking water affects swelling and fluid retention.
𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞?
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*I am a physical therapist, but not your physical therapist. Although I do monitor comments, I cannot respond to personal medical questions. Please know that these are questions for your own doctor or provider as this is general information only. Thanks!
DISCLAIMER
The content of this website, Instagram, KZbin, lectures, webinars, blogs, digital products, or other platforms does not replace the care of physical therapists or other healthcare professionals. This content is in no way to be construed or substituted as physical therapy or any other type of medical advice but is for general education purposes only. Don’t use this content to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical conditions. You agree to hold harmless indemnify Cancer Rehab PT, LLC and its owner/employees for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. The company cannot guarantee the outcome of educational content or recommendations on the company’s website, social media, products, blog, or email series, and Cancer Rehab PT, LLC’s, and owner, Kelly Sturm’s comments are expressions of opinion only. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for yourself.

[@CancerRehabPT]

Access my 𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐋𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 here: bit.ly/45aFH7E 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭? Check out my e-guide with directions, visual diagrams, and more in my shop: www.cancerrehabpt.com/shop

[@Tere7-Galicia_27_]

Thanks Kellie! Very informative, as always! I was never diagnosed with lymphedema, but my ankles were always swollen. I bought a 64 ounce water bottle and even downloaded an app to remind me to drink water. It sounds silly, but with life being crazy busy I would forget. 😆 it has been life changing! My ankles are no longer swollen and I actually have more energy. Thanks again for your wonderful advices and for working so hard. I appreciate you very much!

[@ashleybergstrom8934]

WOW! That is amazing. I suffer with venus insufficiency with swollen legs and ankle. I appreciate hearing the change your water drinking has made for you. I am going to start today with the water.

[@Tere7-Galicia_27_]

@@ashleybergstrom8934 Yes, being conscious of drinking water has truly been life changing! Who knew something so simple could make such a difference! ☺️ Good luck, Ashley!

[@ellygarcia6986]

A little exaggerated I thought.

[@Tere7-Galicia_27_]

@@ellygarcia6986 I’m sorry you feel like that, but I understand we are all entitled to our own opinion. I was just expressing how happy I am that my ankles are no longer swollen and I have more energy. I was very embarrassed to wear skirts with sandals. Since I made it a point to drink more water I noticed a change. Maybe it was coincidence, but never the less I feel it was life changing for me. Be well.

[@lulusbackintown1478]

I drink about 4 litres a day. My lymphs were removed when I had surgery for breast cancer in 2000. I was prescribed diuretics earlier this year. I have recently been diagnosed as having bullous pemphingoid my body swelled up greatly which affected my lungs, I have COPD small airways disease. The diuretics worked wonderfully at first and my tiny wrists and ankles reappeared, I lost 38 pounds in a few weeks. I was overjoyed as I was always being accused of eating badly which is not the case. Even my ultra skinny friend acknowledges my diet is healthier than hers. However I am returning to pre-diuretic swelling (all over - head, trunk and limbs). I'm saying this because I've had years of unfounded criticism for overeating/eating badly. I was seeing a Consultant as I have ulcerative colitis. When she said to me weight was calories in and calories out I didn't return. How someone that experienced doesn't understand the gut biome and leaky gut baffles me. Yes some people blame their overweight unwarrantedly on medical conditions but the medical profession need to update themselves on the true situation. Two T shirts I'd love to have 'I'm fat cos I'm ill not ill cos I'm fat' and 'I didn't eat all the pies'. Good luck everyone.

[@pamelahotarena588]

Don’t listen to naysayers. It’s so easy to give advice when it is given to someone else. But some people would rather criticize than admit they don’t know what they are talking about. Ego is a dangerous thing.

[@ellygarcia6986]

Two litres is sufficient.

[@TeacherG123]

L

[@daliciamatos8114]

Thank you so much Kelly. I have been having complications from ulcerative colitis and have been swollen from head to toe. I thought for it to go away that I had to lower my fluid intake, so I would only drink 2 to 3 water bottles a day and maybe a cup of soda. Needless to say it was a nightmare and the swelling became so much worse. Thank you for this information. I think it's really going to turn things around for me.

[@armandamodia5977]

Thank you for this video Kelly, my legs here been swelling during daytime only since the beginning of this year & I don't have any idea what's going on in me until I stumbled to your videos.👍👍👍

[@feddymoe6967]

Great video. I think it would be more important to tell people the physiological response to being hydrated rather than saying how much to drink. In my experience people respond to amounts or how the feel much better. So with scientist saying drink a certain amount. This may be very inaccurate to some and not fixing people issue with fluids. I’ve always told my clients to stay hydrated and what that means to the body and they find their own amounts of water to drink based off their day to day activities.

[@lorisorsoleil-welch1066]

Hi Kelly You might also want to tell your subscribers that even some medications they are taking can cause this swelling.

[@LexCoop5]

Hi could you please elaborate on what type of medications in particular. I'm experiencing feet swelling after my breast surgery.

[@lucillarichards6134]

@@LexCoop5I was told this by a doctor years ago that some medications can cause fluid retention especially blood pressure meds. This is why they give out water bills.

[@renataseixasdecastro3652]

Hello, Kelly! I usually suggest ingesting 30ml per body weight and as you said, little by little, during the day. And always keep a bottle close by! Thanks for remind us. 👏👏🙏😘

[@jeannielong4713]

Thanks so much for the information about the lymph nodes. This has really helped me.

[@roseoliver7179]

Thank you for sharing keep up the good work looking forward to seeing you again

[@fordresurrectionest9556]

When I was working outside in 100° weather. I would drink 6 litters of water. Now I work indoors and I'm drinking 10 to 18 glasses of water.

[@teresacrowley4076]

Hi Kelly. I don't drink alcohol or frizzy drinks but I do drink about 5 cups of tea a day? Is this ok? I do also drink water through out my day. Thanks for educating us, I appreciate it!!

[@ellygarcia6986]

You are better to drink coffee unless tea is herbal.

[@MouseLoves2Dance]

I think the question is “what kind of tea are you drinking?” Pretty much all tea is herbal (made from herbs/plants), but not all tea is caffeinated. Many herbal teas are cooling and drying, while some are moistening, and others are stimulating and warming. Different teas will have different effects on the body, and can be hydrating or dehydrating, despite that fact that they are liquids.

[@teresacrowley4076]

@@MouseLoves2Dance I drink caffeinated tea mostly. Occasionally I drink fruit or camomile tea.

[@yaxbax9171]

Sorry but which tea dehydrates the body i have never heard of that ?

[@hermithag]

This is so frustrating. When I was in the hospital for a lung issue (during a hot summer) fire season flared up my asthma. My legs had edema so they posted "restrict fluid intake". By day 3 my urine was getting darker and they were giving me diuretic meds. When I got released I did the opposite and the edema went away, urine color normalized and skin even quit itching. Why do doctors give the opposite instructions from what you just said?

[@pamelahotarena588]

Because some doctors still get their information from a 1950’s college reference guide. They need to constantly update their information.

[@lucylotus2494]

Always question your doctors

[@Lo0ve1]

💸💰💶💵 Xoxo🧡💋

[@hauwaidris3150]

Hey Kelly you promised to do a post on seromas. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@yomama8873]

Thank you very helpful🤩🤩💖

[@carlawilliams8136]

thank u. watching from MD

[@AlexandraNMorgan]

I have such bad flare ups when I don't drink a lot and when I don't take a lot of electrolytes

[@p1dru2art]

Have you heard of Celtic salt

[@brandykenoly6532]

Thanks ma'am

[@p1dru2art]

Will help you stay dehydrated you need to drink five times the water as the coffee just to get back to a level field

[@absolve4024]

So I do notice swelling going down when dry fasting. Still learning how to use water to flush.. electrolytes seem to be off when bloated and swelling thighs from drinking water.

[@carlawilliams8136]

i have it on the left side of my face... lots of swelling.. what can ido to get rid of the Water in my face. thanks

[@hermithag]

Kelly? Would your special massage help in this situation?

[@numeprenume172]

so, intermittent dry fasting can disrupt the lymphatic system and worsen...venous insufficiency?

[@jimEhud]

But with the swelling, drinking alot, does it make anyone else feel bloated?

[@rxb364]

And water should be filtered, no Chlorine or fluoride!

[@annat4014]

How do I get rid of my swelling?

[@susieausberry8635]

Why do you do these videos, but you never never answer any questions. You give out good information, but some of us have questions.

[@CancerRehabPT]

I'd love to, but as I state in the description and disclaimer, I cannot answer personal questions. Those should go to one's doctor or other provider for the best care and for safety. 🙂

[@barbaradanielrodrigues7385]

Hello Kelly have recovered from vein ulcers . am old lady and wear special stockings keep legs moist, now started doing your lymph massages is there any special what I can do to rid the pains

[@comodice905]

Ask your physician she can't answer question due to liability she a pro with x ee leggs

[@dannwan8537]

@@CancerRehabPT Is hot water or ice cold water better for bathing for lymphameda?

[@fromindramayucity7892]

Skin care is 👍🏼

[@r.studio6170]

Suffering from lung sarcoidosis...pitting edema for 30 seconds..is it also suitable for me

[@suziepq1]

Would using sugar free water flavoring make lymphedema worse? It makes it easier for me to get my fluid in, but if plain water works better, I will do that.

[@flowersofthefield340]

Artificial sweetener is not good. Please use fresh fruit such as 🍊 oranges 🍋 lemons and cucumbers are brilliant . Make sure please to wash your teeth after drinking lemon and orange water. I hope that helps you

[@aggiestoneham8296]

Hello I’m new how much water for a woman to drink daily please

[@p1dru2art]

If you ask KZbin this question they'll take KZbin videos to explain it

[@ChrisieR67]

I thought you're supposed to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water? 🙁

[@ellygarcia6986]

Two litres per day is sufficient. And drink restructured water please.

[@Chrxssym]

So I actually asked my doctor about that and she said “absolutely not” it depends on climate and activity level but too much can throw off electrolyte balance sometimes

[@kay4742]

Me too. Thought u should drink 1/2 of ur body weight water, that is

[@connect2docplanetayurveda379]

you can take planet Ayurveda's Punarnava capsules

[@barbaralima828]

I have Cancer and the medication I am taking promotes lymphedema in my feet and legs. I do an hour a day in the pool for exercise because the bottom of my feet hurt . I do wear compression socks and try to keep my feet up when I am sitting. What else can I do as long as I am on these meds? Thank you

[@dn-cp6sh]

What medication are you taking?

[@lorrainenicoletti6232]

Is it OK to drink “fizzy” drinks? I drink seltzer all day long. It is my go to drink to stay hydrated. Really replacing water

[@CROAiva]

coloured drinks may cause kidney stones

[@ashleykennedy2824]

If it's plain seltzer, it's fine. The flavored ones that have sugars added can dehydrate.

[@numeprenume172]

so, intermittent dry fasting can disrupt the lymphatic system and worsen...venous insufficiency?