Fluid retention should be avoided in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome. Fluid retention is the body’s inability to remove excess water. This results in tissue that is over burdened with fluid. For the patient with already inflamed tissue fluid retention advances the inflammation further.Oedema is another name for fluid retention and can be observed in the hands, feet, face, knees, and ankles. These areas will appear puffier than usual and it may be difficult to remove rings or put on shoes. These are also areas where joints are located and can be extremely painful for chronic fatigue disease and Fibromyalgia patients.Fluid retention is an indicator that other bodily processes are out of balance. If poor digestion occurs due to a food allergy this can lead to a condition called leaky gut. The intestines will leak particles, nutrients and bacteria-good and bad-to the bloodstream. In turn the immune system will focus on removing the toxins in the blood stream instead of removing the access fluid from the body’s tissue.When the kidneys do not function properly the body will retain fluids. The kidneys are responsible for maintaining proper fluid balance in the body. Too much salt intake, not drinking enough water, excessive amounts of sugar, protein and fat will cause the kidneys to work overtime and the result is too much fluid in the cells.If the individual has a deplete amount of vitamin B 6, magnesium and selenium, which is common with individuals of chronic fatigue fluid retention will result.If an individual is deficient in protein or albumin the result will be no removal of fluid from tissue. Since albumin is needed to carry unwanted fluid to the bloodstream a lack of protein is just as dangerous as too much protein.Certain drugs can cause fluid retention. Hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, blood pressure pills used to lower blood pressure, non steroidal inflammatory drugs, anti- viral, -fungus, -biotic and insulin.Lymphatic system overload is when fluids build up in the lymphatic system. The result is a sluggish system that prevents it from filtering fluid from the bloodstream. By increasing physical activity the lymphatic system will overcome stasis and begin to filter fluids from its vessels. This movement will reduce fluid retention and assist in lowering inflammation in individuals with Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome disability.To reduce fluid retention the individual should decrease their intake of salt and increase water intake. Certain foods cause an allergic reaction to the body that might not seem apparent to the individual. Sugar, honey, coffee, alcohol, white flour, smoked foods, sodium rich foods, wheat, dairy, and yeast can have an affect on the body’s ability to remove unwanted fluid. Abstinence from these foods for at least 2 months will indicate if an allergy is present and they should then be avoided.An increase if fruits, vegetables, blueberries, bananas, kale, bilberries and cabbage will aid in the reduction of fluid retention. These foods are rich in nutrients, vitamins and aid in digestion, which helps in lowering fluid retention.