Diuretics Side Effects

Diuretics refer to substances that cause the loss or removal of excess water from the body in the form of urine. There are specific medicines that may be prescribed by the doctor that act as diuretics which are generally referred to as the 'water pills'. Vegetables like asparagus, tomatoes and oats are examples of certain natural diuretic foods or foodstuff that act as diuretics. These are usually administered to treat heart failure, high blood pressure, liver cirrhosis, certain kidney diseases, and oedema, which refers to extra amount of fluids in one's tissues. However, just as most medicines have side effects, nausea, dizziness and fatigue are some of the common diuretics side effects.

How do Diuretics Work?

The kidneys purify our blood in two stages. In the first stage, water, minerals and waste products like urea are removed from blood. In the second stage most of the water and salts are returned to the blood while the waste products are expelled in the form of urine. However, under certain conditions, the kidneys may not be able to work properly. As a result, they may absorb larger amounts of water and salts back into the bloodstream. This creates problems for the heart as it has to pump a larger volume of blood through the body. Besides, the excess amount of water may leak into other organs of the body causing other health problems. Diuretics reduce the amount of water and salt that the kidneys reabsorb into the bloodstream. Hence, more water and salts are lost from the body. This prevents the problem of water logging of the tissues and improves the functioning of the heart.

Types of Diuretics

The following are the major types of diuretics:

• Thiazides
• Loop diuretics
• Potassium sparing diuretics

Diuretics Side Effects

Side effects of diuretics can be discussed under the effects of the various types of diuretics.

Side Effects of Thiazide Diuretics
As the body tries to adjust to the medication, the initial side effects of thiazide diuretics may reflect as loss of appetite, itching, blurred vision, headache, stomach upset and weakness. Some individuals even feel dizzy and light headed during the first few days. To minimize such a feeling, if you are lying or sleeping and want to get up and move around, rise slowly. In case one develops side effects like nausea, vomiting or muscle cramps, the physician should be contacted immediately. Some may even have allergic reactions to thiazide diuretics. Such reactions may manifest as rash, itching, dizziness and difficulty in breathing.

Side Effects of Loop Diuretics
The first time an individual takes a loop diuretic, he may need to pass a large volume of urine which may require one to make regular trips to the washroom. This effect may be felt within an hour of having taken the loop diuretic, and may last up to 6 hours. The most common side effect of loop diuretics is dizziness or lightheadedness, specially when one tries to get up from a sitting or lying position. Loop diuretics may cause a change in the levels of potassium and other electrolytes in the blood. Some may experience increase in the uric acid and sugar levels in blood. In some cases, loop diuretics may cause a decrease in the amount of magnesium in the blood. The less common side effects include loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, confusion, temporary loss of hearing, jaundice and acute gout attacks. If one feels excessive thirst, dry mouth, decrease in urination, drowsiness and lethargy, one should get his blood tested for reduced levels of potassium which is a condition medically known as hypokalemia.

Side Effects of Potassium Sparing Diuretics
Unlike the loop diuretics and the thiazide diuretics, potassium sparing diuretics do not reduce the level of potassium in the blood. Although this does away with the possibility of low levels of this mineral in a patient's body, one should be aware of the symptoms of high level of potassium in the body, like irregular heartbeat, confusion or numbness, unusual tiredness, weakness or a heavy feeling in the legs, confusion or nervousness and breathing problems.

Diuretics side effects are a result of the change in the amount of levels of minerals due to the action of these water pills. Although the side effects of diuretics may be mild and they may be felt during the initial days of treatment, a physician should be consulted in case the side effects persist for a long period of time.