5 Things You Need To Know About Diuretics

Some people experience swelling or holding fluid in their bodies that can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and bothersome. Do you have swollen ankles or increased abdominal size for an unknown reason? You might have an underlying medical condition that needs diuretics. There are instances when doctors prescribe diuretics to eliminate a patient’s extra fluid and salt in the body. But, what are diuretics, and how do they work? 

In this article, you’ll learn the important things about diuretics to increase your understanding of this substance and how it can affect your health. Here are the things you need to know: 

1. What Is A Diuretic?

 When it comes to the diuretic definition, this term refers to a substance triggering diuresis or increased urination. Diuretic medications are also called water pills. Some diuretics include alcohol, caffeine, some herbs, and drugs such as blood pressure medications (like beta-blockers) and water pills for weight loss. 

2. How Diuretics Work

Diuretics help the kidneys produce more urine to flush out excess water and salt in the body. In this way, the heart can pump blood properly without increasing blood volume. Here’s how diuretics affect the body:  

• Increased urination
• Lower blood pressure
• Relieve shortness of breath
• Reduce bloating and swelling

3. Who Takes Diuretics

Your doctor can prescribe diuretics if you show signs of fluid retention, such as swelling of the extremities or abdominal fullness. People need to take diuretics to treat fluid retention for different medical conditions, such as the following: 

• Swollen Tissue: Edema can be brought about by taking steroids for a prolonged period and certain medical conditions needing diuretics to get rid of extra fluids in the body.
• High Blood Pressure: Hypertensive medications like beta-adrenergic receptor blockers (beta-blockers) cause fluid retention.
• Heart Failure: Water retention means trouble for patients with a history of heart failure, leading to a life-threatening condition. When the heart valve or tissue is damaged, blood circulation is affected, which is detrimental to cells. The kidneys soon detect the diminished blood flow in body tissues, thereby activating hormones that prompt the body to retain sodium and fluid in an attempt to increase blood volume.
• Kidney Disease: When the kidneys are damaged due to trauma or infection, they cannot perform their filtering function properly. So, fluid and other substances remain in the blood, causing fluid retention.

4. Types Of Diuretics

The best diuretic for a patient depends on the condition being treated. Each type of diuretic affects the kidneys in different ways to help regulate blood circulation and blood volume. The doctor can use two or more types of diuretics as needed. The different types of diuretics include the following: 

• Thiazide: Some examples of thiazide diuretics include chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril, Microzide), and chlorthalidone (Hygroton). This type of diuretic tends to deplete the body’s potassium levels, along with eliminating excess fluids.
• Loop: This diuretic medication also depletes potassium in the body as fluid is eliminated.
• Potassium Sparing: Some examples of potassium-sparing diuretics include amiloride (Midamor), eplerenone (Inspra), and spironolactone (Aldactone), which help prevent potassium loss.

5. Tips When Taking Diuretics

Like any other medications, diuretics have side effects such as dehydration, dry mouth, weakness, and muscle cramps. But, you can prevent them by knowing what to do when you’re taking them. 

Here are some tips when taking diuretic medications: 

• Take Diuretics Exactly As Prescribed: Doctors advise patients to take diuretics, at least, six hours before bedtime. In this way, you don’t have to get up several times during the night to pee, which can disrupt sleep.
• Avoid Potassium Loss: Eat high-potassium rich food when you’re taking thiazide or loop diuretics. Many kinds of fruit and vegetables have high potassium content, like bananas, potatoes, peas, mushrooms, broccoli, and spinach.
• Limit Salt Intake: Because sodium attracts water, you should limit salt intake to avoid fluid retention which defeats the purpose of taking diuretics.
• Limit Alcohol Intake: Avoid drinking alcohol when on diuretics to avoid further dehydrating the body.
• Monitor Weight: Check the progress of your treatment by monitoring your weight. Rapid weight gain is an indication of fluid retention.
• Protection From Sunburn: Use sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn because loop diuretics like Furosemide makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Diuretics will make you pee more often to get rid of extra fluid and salt in your body, especially if you have edema due to a heart or kidney problem. There are different types of diuretics that work in various parts of the kidney. It’s crucial to increase potassium in your diet if you’re taking potassium-wasting diuretics like thiazide or loop diuretics. Also, avoid too much salt and alcohol when taking diuretics.