Diuretics: Temporarily Removing Excess Water from the Body

Diuretics, or "water pill" to others, are drugs used for the temporary elimination of the body's excess water. Medical experts have validated the medicinal value of these drugs, citing as an example their proven efficacy in treating hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure), congestive heart failure (inability of the heart to maintain an adequate circulation of blood in the bodily tissues), and pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs). Diuretics make such treatment possible by stimulating the kidneys to discharge salt and urine in large amounts. This translates to less water in the bloodstream, and thus assists in lowering blood pressure and in reducing the amount of work the heart is capable of performing.

Diuretics have been proven to be safe, provided they are taken according to a doctor's explicit instruction. A study conducted by a US national committee revealed that diuretics are the preferred initial medication in the treatment of high blood pressure. Other studies likewise concluded that these drugs produce the desired effect of prevention for apoplexy (stroke) or such other occurrence involving the heart and blood vessels.

In women, diuretics may be helpful in lessening water accumulation brought about by the "period." This aids in alleviating symptoms associated with the premenstrual syndrome, one of which is breast pain.

All these however don't necessarily mean that diuretics pose no risk to health. Some of these drugs have been observed to cause muscle weakness and weariness or exhaustion, as they can also cause the elimination of potassium from the body. For this reason, doctors advise people taking such type of diuretics to add foods that are rich in potassium to their diet (examples: bananas, prunes, and orange juice). Other diuretics work the other way around though, that is, they cause the retention of potassium in the body. It is important, therefore, that you discuss things with your doctor before making any modifications on your diet.

There are other known problems which certain types of diuretics can cause. Some diuretics, for example, have been found to act upon the body's hearing and balance mechanisms negatively, thus causing lightheadedness or dizziness. Still others have been found to cause sexual dysfunction. In such cases, it would be wise to talk to your doctor as there may be a need to change the type or dosage of the diuretic you are taking.

For people who are taking doctor-prescribed diuretics and are considering stopping their use, they are advised to first check with their doctor. This is very important since a hasty discontinuance of the use of these prescribed drugs may result to serious problems, such as the sudden elevation of blood pressure and a rise in the risk of heart failure. Doctors recommend decreasing the use of diuretics over a period of one month or even longer.

Some people who are in some weight-loss programs think that diuretics can be used as diet aids and help them shed excess pounds. This notion is not only incorrect but dangerous as well. Diuretics work only in eliminating excess water, not fat; they can cause an abnormal depletion of body fluids that can be fatal if not appropriately used. [Read the Original Article]