Diuretics, otherwise referred to as water tablets, are a type of medicine used to remove excess water from the body by increasing the amount of urine produced by the kidneys.
The kidneys function is to filter water, salts and waste products out of the bloodstream. The majority of the salts and water are then absorbed back into the system, while some is retained with the various waste products to produce urine.
Diuretics reduce the amount of water and sodium returning to the bloodstream, increasing the amount of urine produced and decreasing fluid in the bloodstream.
This leads to reduction of the overall volume of blood, easing the workload put onto the heart and reducing blood pressure. For this reason diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
The most common types of diuretics prescribed are potassium sparing and loop diuretics, as well as thiazides.
Potassium sparing diuretics, such as the amiloride Amilamont, are fairly mild and are frequently used in combination with thiazide or loop diuretics in order to stop too much potassium being lost from the body. They may be prescribed for individuals with heart failure or high blood pressure.
Loop diuretics, like the furosemide Latix, are the most powerful type and increase the amount of urine produced by the kidneys at a very quick rate. Generally, these are prescribed for patients with pulmonary oedema, a condition consisting of too much fluid on the lungs, or heart failure.
The most commonly prescribed diuretics are thiazides. These include, amongst others, bendroflumethiazides, such as Aprinox; chlorthalidones like Hygroton and cyclophenthiazides, as in Navidrex.
As a rule, this particular type of diuretic is prescribed for people with mild heart failure, severe oedema or high blood pressure.
In case of very high blood pressure, additional medication may also be prescribed.
The kidneys function is to filter water, salts and waste products out of the bloodstream. The majority of the salts and water are then absorbed back into the system, while some is retained with the various waste products to produce urine.
Diuretics reduce the amount of water and sodium returning to the bloodstream, increasing the amount of urine produced and decreasing fluid in the bloodstream.
This leads to reduction of the overall volume of blood, easing the workload put onto the heart and reducing blood pressure. For this reason diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
The most common types of diuretics prescribed are potassium sparing and loop diuretics, as well as thiazides.
Potassium sparing diuretics, such as the amiloride Amilamont, are fairly mild and are frequently used in combination with thiazide or loop diuretics in order to stop too much potassium being lost from the body. They may be prescribed for individuals with heart failure or high blood pressure.
Loop diuretics, like the furosemide Latix, are the most powerful type and increase the amount of urine produced by the kidneys at a very quick rate. Generally, these are prescribed for patients with pulmonary oedema, a condition consisting of too much fluid on the lungs, or heart failure.
The most commonly prescribed diuretics are thiazides. These include, amongst others, bendroflumethiazides, such as Aprinox; chlorthalidones like Hygroton and cyclophenthiazides, as in Navidrex.
As a rule, this particular type of diuretic is prescribed for people with mild heart failure, severe oedema or high blood pressure.
In case of very high blood pressure, additional medication may also be prescribed.