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Fluid Retention

Meaning

Fluid Retention, clinically termed edema, is the pathological accumulation of interstitial fluid, often manifesting in dependent body areas due to an imbalance in Starling forces across capillary membranes. In hormonal health, this phenomenon is frequently associated with altered mineralocorticoid activity or supra-physiological levels of circulating estrogens, which affect renal sodium and water handling. Recognizing subtle shifts in fluid status provides an important clinical indicator of underlying systemic endocrine or renal dysfunction. Managing this requires careful assessment of fluid dynamics.