Water Retention/bloating

[ericg1953]

I have noticed that on my last few trips.....thailand,manilla,hawaii......I find myself very bloated during my whole stay. My fingers swell up so I can barely close my hands. Was wondering if anybody else has the same experience.

Eric

[stevenjm]

I have noticed that on my last few trips.....thailand,manilla,hawaii......I find myself very bloated during my whole stay. My fingers swell up so I can barely close my hands. Was wondering if anybody else has the same experience.

Eric

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it usually goes after a couple of weeks or so - from different temp and holding extra water for sweat.

[ericg1953]

has anyone tried a diuretic(water pill) to get rid of it?

[suegha]

In an Ironic sort of way it helps to increase your water in-take. Drink twice as much water as you normally do! This supply's all your 'sweat' needs and helps your kidneys work more efficiently. I know it sounds weird but try it for a few days and you may be amazed. Other things to consider include your level of fitness, your age and the level of physical activity you engage in whilst you are away. All these things (and others) can have an effect on water retention.

[pautai]

try bedroflumethiazide diuretic

[Sheryl]

I have noticed that on my last few trips.....thailand,manilla,hawaii......I find myself very bloated during my whole stay. My fingers swell up so I can barely close my hands. Was wondering if anybody else has the same experience.

Eric

You don't mention your age or general health. Have you had a recent physical? If not you should, and mention this to the doctor. Heart and kidney problems can sometimes cause this, and the stress of long flights can provoke symptoms in otherwise asymptomatic people with borderline conditions.

If your physical is OK, then just avoid sodium, eat high protein, exercise more and get massage (traditional kind). A good 2 hour traditional massage right after flying is one of the best ways to overcome jet lag and the circulatory problems flying often brings. And as the other post said, drink a lot of water.

Don't self medicate with diuretics, they cabn create serious electrolyte imbalances and are not necessary unless you have carduiovascular problems in which case you should be under a doctor's care anyhow.

[ericg1953]

I have noticed that on my last few trips.....thailand,manilla,hawaii......I find myself very bloated during my whole stay. My fingers swell up so I can barely close my hands. Was wondering if anybody else has the same experience.

Eric

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't mention your age or general health. Have you had a recent physical? If not you should, and mention this to the doctor. Heart and kidney problems can sometimes cause this, and the stress of long flights can provoke symptoms in otherwise asymptomatic people with borderline conditions.

If your physical is OK, then just avoid sodium, eat high protein, exercise more and get massage (traditional kind). A good 2 hour traditional massage right after flying is one of the best ways to overcome jet lag and the circulatory problems flying often brings. And as the other post said, drink a lot of water.

Don't self medicate with diuretics, they cabn create serious electrolyte imbalances and are not necessary unless you have carduiovascular problems in which case you should be under a doctor's care anyhow.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sheryl, thanks for the info. I saw my doctor last week and I excersize every day. The doctor didn't seem to know what causes the bloating. Asked my pharmacist the other day and he said to take a mild diuretic and I should be ok.I have high blood pressure and take meds for that, but neither the doc or pharmacist said that would cause the bloating. I will have a massage as soon as I arrive.May not help, but definately can't hurt...................................Eric

[Sheryl]

Sheryl, thanks for the info. I saw my doctor last week and I excersize every day. The doctor didn't seem to know what causes the bloating. Asked my pharmacist the other day and he said to take a mild diuretic and I should be ok.I have high blood pressure and take meds for that, but neither the doc or pharmacist said that would cause the bloating. I will have a massage as soon as I arrive.May not help, but definately can't hurt...................................Eric

Eric, what meds are you on for your blood pressure? If one of them is a diuretic that could be contributing to the problem. If you tell me the names I'll know (I'm a burse).

Since you have hypertension I remain concerned that the bloating after flying could be a sign of cardiovascular problems. Is your doc a GP or specialist? When flying there is a reduction in oxygen, plus prolonged immobility. Both of these could tip the balance if there is a borderline cardiovascular problem. Have you had a complete cardiac workup (stress test etc) recently? If not, there are very reasonably priced check ups inclusive of that available in Thailand and I suggest you avail of it. A stress test in particular would be helpful.

I forgot to mention, but while in flight you should exerise as much as possible -- get up and walk briefly once an hour, do isometrics while in your chair, anything to help the blood circulate. And drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids. And then, massage on arrival. Good luck

[Sheryl]

Sheryl, thanks for the info. I saw my doctor last week and I excersize every day. The doctor didn't seem to know what causes the bloating. Asked my pharmacist the other day and he said to take a mild diuretic and I should be ok.I have high blood pressure and take meds for that, but neither the doc or pharmacist said that would cause the bloating. I will have a massage as soon as I arrive.May not help, but definately can't hurt...................................Eric

Eric, what meds are you on for your blood pressure? If one of them is a diuretic that could be contributing to the problem. If you tell me the names I'll know (I'm a burse).

Since you have hypertension I remain concerned that the bloating after flying could be a sign of cardiovascular problems. Is your doc a GP or specialist? When flying there is a reduction in oxygen, plus prolonged immobility. Both of these could tip the balance if there is a borderline cardiovascular problem. Have you had a complete cardiac workup (stress test etc) recently? If not, there are very reasonably priced check ups inclusive of that available in Thailand and I suggest you avail of it. A stress test in particular would be helpful.

I forgot to mention, but while in flight you should exerise as much as possible -- get up and walk briefly once an hour, do isometrics while in your chair, anything to help the blood circulate. And drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids. And then, massage on arrival. Good luck

excuse the typo, that's nurse, not burse!

And contrary to what the pharmacist told you, you should not try to self treat this least of all with diuretics except as advised by a doctor. This is especially important given that you are on antihypertensives.

[cathyy]

I am also a nurse, and I'm with Sheryl on this. You should not be self-medicating a symptom without looking for the cause first, particularly when the cause is likely to be previously undiagnosed heart problems.

Heart failure worsens both in low oxygen and high heat conditions; a plane ride to a tropical location provides first one and then the other. It is entirely possible that your heart handles everything just fine, including exercise, until you tip the balance with those conditions.

Get yourself to a good cardiologist. Have an echocardiogram.

[thai_norman]

water retention, its quite a major problem, in our first pic we have a patient with water retention,the second also has a problem with water retention.

[ericg1953]

Sheryl, thanks for the info. I saw my doctor last week and I excersize every day. The doctor didn't seem to know what causes the bloating. Asked my pharmacist the other day and he said to take a mild diuretic and I should be ok.I have high blood pressure and take meds for that, but neither the doc or pharmacist said that would cause the bloating. I will have a massage as soon as I arrive.May not help, but definately can't hurt...................................Eric

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eric, what meds are you on for your blood pressure? If one of them is a diuretic that could be contributing to the problem. If you tell me the names I'll know (I'm a burse).

Since you have hypertension I remain concerned that the bloating after flying could be a sign of cardiovascular problems. Is your doc a GP or specialist? When flying there is a reduction in oxygen, plus prolonged immobility. Both of these could tip the balance if there is a borderline cardiovascular problem. Have you had a complete cardiac workup (stress test etc) recently? If not, there are very reasonably priced check ups inclusive of that available in Thailand and I suggest you avail of it. A stress test in particular would be helpful.

I forgot to mention, but while in flight you should exerise as much as possible -- get up and walk briefly once an hour, do isometrics while in your chair, anything to help the blood circulate. And drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids. And then, massage on arrival. Good luck

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sheryl. I do excersize while flying and don't drink alcohol. I am currently taking Toprol XL-50 and Lotrel for hi-blood pressure. I jist had an ekg last week. But a stress test sounds good at my age....52 My doc is a gp/internal medicine

[Sheryl]

[

Sheryl. I do excersize while flying and don't drink alcohol. I am currently taking Toprol XL-50 and Lotrel for hi-blood pressure. I jist had an ekg last week. But a stress test sounds good at my age....52 My doc is a gp/internal medicine

Eric,

1) The edema (swelling) could be related to your meds, particulalry the Toprol. It is a known side effect of the drug and perhaps in your case only manifests under the stress of long flights (prolonged immobility, decreased tissue oxygenation).

2) From the combination of meds you are on I gather your hypertension is either fairly severe and/or has been difficult to control.

Taking these 2 things together, plus your doctor's lack of response to your reporting of the edema, I recommend you have a full cardiovascular workup and consult a cardiologist while in Thailand . This can be arranged online at any of the following hospitals: Samitivej, Bumrungrad and Bangkok General. Personally I recommend Samitivej. Their website is www.samitivej.co.th

Look at the various checjk-up packages they offer and also for a cardiologist who is Board certified in the US, UK or Australia (doctor's qualifications can be reviewed online). Or you could just email their international patient service center and explain what you want. Prices are much lower than in the US, it can all be done in a day and quality is very good. Be sure to mention the edema to the doctor (actually, if you go in right after the flight, he'll be able to see it for himself...might not be a bad idea to schedule it for soon after arrival so your condition at that time can be assessed).

Altghough these problems only occur now after long flights, they may inducate an otherwise subclinical problem that would surface whenever your body is stressed and is best detected and treated early. good luck

[ericg1953]

[

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sheryl. I do excersize while flying and don't drink alcohol. I am currently taking Toprol XL-50 and Lotrel for hi-blood pressure. I jist had an ekg last week. But a stress test sounds good at my age....52 My doc is a gp/internal medicine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eric,

1) The edema (swelling) could be related to your meds, particulalry the Toprol. It is a known side effect of the drug and perhaps in your case only manifests under the stress of long flights (prolonged immobility, decreased tissue oxygenation).

2) From the combination of meds you are on I gather your hypertension is either fairly severe and/or has been difficult to control.

Taking these 2 things together, plus your doctor's lack of response to your reporting of the edema, I recommend you have a full cardiovascular workup and consult a cardiologist while in Thailand . This can be arranged online at any of the following hospitals: Samitivej, Bumrungrad and Bangkok General. Personally I recommend Samitivej. Their website is www.samitivej.co.th

Look at the various checjk-up packages they offer and also for a cardiologist who is Board certified in the US, UK or Australia (doctor's qualifications can be reviewed online). Or you could just email their international patient service center and explain what you want. Prices are much lower than in the US, it can all be done in a day and quality is very good. Be sure to mention the edema to the doctor (actually, if you go in right after the flight, he'll be able to see it for himself...might not be a bad idea to schedule it for soon after arrival so your condition at that time can be assessed).

Altghough these problems only occur now after long flights, they may inducate an otherwise subclinical problem that would surface whenever your body is stressed and is best detected and treated early. good luck

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Sheryl....I will only be in Ptty on this trip so I will go to BPH hospital there.

[fastphil]

Eric

I travel to Thailand a lot (three times this year and I'm going back again next month) and I've noticed the symptoms that you describe, after the first few days my fingers swell up and the skin on my hands turns red (they look like they've been in boiling water) also the hair on my fingers drops outl, I'm a 42 year old male, quite fit and healthy, the only medication that I take is for mild asthma! I've no ideas whatever what could cause it!

One other health problem I suffer from when I travel, is an intense headache at the end of the flight, when the plane is making its final decent, the pain is located behind my eyeball and is so intense that it makes my eyes water, I can't find the words to explain how bad pain is, I guess it's something to do with my sinus, I get hayfever quite badly! anybody with any ideas?

Phillip

[wrestler7902002]

Sawatdee Krap, Erickq1953:

Be careful about taking diuretics. I've taken 40mg Furosemide which lasts for about 6 hours. When taking diuretics, you of course lose essential nutrients and minerals from your body. My doctor in USA told me to take Potassium while on diuretics. A good source of potassium are Bananas. Take too much diuretic and you'll feel very weak, light-headed and tired, almost like fainting.

Watch your blood pressure. Most important, stay away from sodium (salt). Much of Thai food is very spicy and contains salt. Avoid sauces you buy in stores or on street markets, like mushroom or soy sauce, for instance. It tastes heavenly, but loaded with sodium and increases your blood pressure.

Hope this helps.

[taxexile]

water retention ?,

just try a tap on the head , wear some drainpipe trousers.

or change your footwear to a pair of pumps !

seriously though , follow the advice of the nurses who have answered here,

[phibunmike]

One other health problem I suffer from when I travel, is an intense headache at the end of the flight, when the plane is making its final decent, the pain is located behind my eyeball and is so intense that it makes my eyes water, I can't find the words to explain how bad pain is, I guess it's something to do with my sinus, I get hayfever quite badly! anybody with any ideas?

Phillip

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had that sharp pain once during landing when I had a cold - also had it a couple of times when ascending at the end of a dive (no guys, keep it clean!). As air pressure tries to equalise one pressure release point is from the nasal cavity to the corner of the eye - if this is blocked (as can happend due to inflammation caused by a cold or asthma), the resulting build up of pressure will cause intense localised pain. I don't think it is serious (nurses/burses: is this right ?) during a flight descent as the pressure changes are relatively small, but during an ascent from a dive the ascent rate should be slowed or stopped until the symptoms disappear).

By the way I have no medical background other than dive training, so anyone with better knowledge please correct me. I avoid medications when diving, but would think that an anti-inflammatory during flying would do the trick.

Cheers, Mike

[ericg1953]

Thanks for all the input. Well, I had the same problem last June while on vacation for 3 weeks in Pattaya. I do make every effort to avoid salt, but that isn't easy in Thailand. I am heading over in November to start my 3rd life. I willbe retiring at 52 yrs. old and if the problem persists, I will have it checked out furthur. This web site is great for gathering info and I want to put out a big thank you to all the people that contribute here.

Eric

[jackr]

Thanks for all the input. Well, I had the same problem last June while on vacation for 3 weeks in Pattaya. I do make every effort to avoid salt, but that isn't easy in Thailand. I am heading over in November to start my 3rd life. I willbe retiring at 52 yrs. old and if the problem persists, I will have it checked out furthur. This web site is great for gathering info and I want to put out a big thank you to all the people that contribute here.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but what you could have been suffering from is an intolerance to MSG (monosodium glutamate). They use it all over Asia as a taste additive, including in Thailand. It's that sugar-like substance they dip into and throw all over the food and can make one feel dizzy, nauseous, and bloated. Singled it out when my mother was also having the same problem. Next time you're over say mai sai pon su rot when ordering food and see if it makes any difference.