Edema/swelling of abdomen after excerising

MsMiranda · Post by **MsMiranda** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:16 am

Hi all - I'm new here and new to the world of weightlifting and strength training. I run 2-3 times a week (5-10km per run) so I'm fairly active. I keep as healthy a diet as I can and I drink a moderate amount of water (though probably not as much as I should).

I have no medical issues and I am a very healthy 24-year-old woman!

I've only had this happen twice: After a moderate workout (I'm not killing myself or pushing too hard) which includes abdominal work (i.e., situps and side lifts), abdomen swells a few days later (after the muscle pain has stopped) and it looks like I have a tire around waste, and groin also swells ... it feels and looks like liquid is trapped under the skin. When I walk and when I touch it, it jiggles as if there is liquid too.

I am not a large person so this edema/swelling is very noticeable and it's a bit worrisome.

I showed local pharmacist and she suggested I was lacking in electrolytes and gave me a powder to add to water prior to next workout session and she suggested drinking Gatorade before and during next exercise session as well.

Sorry this is so long, but have any of you experienced this before and how can I prevent it from happening? I want to tone midsection, but I don't want to deal with a water-filled tired around waist every time I try and work on that area!!

Any and all suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:37 pm

you'll retain water if your not drinking enough..apart from this i don't really...how's your posture? TA strength?

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:58 pm

Well it's not Edema. I'm fairly sure of that. Edema is associated with excess fluid in the Ankles and Legs.

Edema is usually associated with possible high water intake, and connected ot Salt as well, and is usually treated with a mild Salt reduction in the diet, possible water reduction, or even diuretics.

You might have an electrolyte imbalance, as excess Salt can cause water retention.

Guidelines state you shouldn't exceed 6g Salt a day, which you might be doing, especially if you're drinking a high water intake.

I'm not 100% certain what's going on. What was this powder?

ESherwood3 · Post by **ESherwood3** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:24 pm

One thing you might consider is drinking distilled water one or two days a week. Distilled water has a much reduced salt content and it can help pull excess water out of your system. One of the places that it targets is water under the skin. This wont be a miraculous cure, but it may help a little after you figure out what the underlying problem is (IE electrolyte imbalance or something). Track your food intake for a week or so and see how much salt youâ€™re taking in, that might be a good start. Good luck to ya.