Is swelling caused by eating too much salt or drinking too much water?

Swelling may be caused by consuming too much salt, drinking excessive amounts of water, or other underlying factors.

If you have recently eaten large amounts of high-sodium foods—such as cured meat or pickled vegetables—the influx of sodium ions into the body may lead to water and sodium retention. When excess fluid accumulates in the body and cannot be effectively excreted, it can result in edema. Drinking large quantities of water at night increases the metabolic burden on the kidneys; if the fluid is not promptly eliminated through the kidneys, it may also cause swelling. Underlying kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, membranous nephropathy, or minimal change disease can impair normal kidney function, affecting the body's ability to excrete water. If excess fluid is not properly removed, this may lead to edema.

Once swelling occurs, it is recommended to promptly visit the nephrology department at a hospital to undergo relevant examinations—including kidney function tests and urinary system ultrasound—to identify the specific cause of the edema and receive appropriate treatment based on the underlying condition.