Diuretics for High Blood Pressure

Diuretics, popularly known as water pills, help in the removal of extra water from body. They can be found in two ways, synthetic diuretics and natural diuretic foods. The main function of diuretics is to help the kidney throw away the surplus sodium (salt) and water present in the body. When a person having high blood pressure consumes diuretics, it causes the heart to pump normally, and also causes the walls of the arteries to relax because the excess water is flushed out from the body. Due to this, doctors recommend diuretics for high blood pressure. They are also prescribed for diseases like heart failure, glaucoma, liver and kidney problems.

Different Types of Diuretics

Diuretics are available in three different types, which include:

• Thiazide Diuretics
• Loop Diuretics
• Potassium-sparing Diuretics

Among these three diuretics, the most effective for high blood pressure are thiazide diuretics. Loop diuretics are more beneficial for people who have experienced kidney diseases, heart failure, etc, whereas potassium sparing diuretics increase the level of potassium in the body. The last two diuretics, however, are not said to be effective in the treatment of high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Diuretics

People are advised to take diuretic pills regularly because it helps in controlling high blood pressure and also helps in preventing health problems that may occur due to hypertension, like heart failure and stroke. It is also preferred because it is about twenty times cheaper than other medicines for high blood pressure. However, it is not the only hypertension medication and is usually combined with other medications or drugs.

Diuretic Side Effects

Though diuretics are considered to be very good for treating high blood pressure, there are also certain side effects attached to this drug., which include:

• One of the most common side effect of diuretics is frequent urination. One may experience the urge to visit the washroom very frequently when diuretics do their work of removing water and salt from the body.
• Pregnant women should totally avoid taking diuretics for high blood pressure because it can cause harm to the fetus. Besides pregnant women, even women who are breastfeeding their child should not consume these pills as it can lead to dehydration in the baby.
• Initially, when you start taking the pill you may experience extreme weakness or tiredness. However, this does not stay for a long time and you will get better once your body adjusts to the pill.
• Dehydration is also another side effect of consuming diuretics. When this happens, you may suffer from dizziness, dryness of the mouth, extreme thirst, etc. It is also likely for you to experience nausea, constipation, decrease in appetite, muscle cramps and vomiting.
• There are also chances for the decrease in the level of sodium, potassium and magnesium in the blood due to consumption of diuretics. Some of the other symptoms include fever, cough, weight loss, unusual bleeding, sore throat, etc. Also, as diuretics are sulfa medicines, people who are allergic to sulfa can face certain problems.

Diet to be Followed

To decrease the side effects of the pill, you may have to stick to a diet regime advised by the physician. One would have to inculcate low sodium foods in the diet. If you are diagnosed with potassium deficiency, you may have to consume potassium supplements and potassium rich foods. Alcohol intake should also be totally avoided to decrease the risk of being affected by the side effects of diuretics.

Diuretics for high blood pressure should be taken at least twice a day. It is also necessary to regularly check one's blood pressure while taking diuretic drugs. If you experience any kind of side effect, it is extremely crucial to consult a doctor to prevent serious health problems.