What are Diuretics?
The term diuretic refers to any substance that helps to rid the body of excess body fluids and salts through urination. These can take the form of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, homeopathic and herbal remedies or certain foods with diuretic qualities that promote urine formation.
Whatever the source, diuretics help to prevent or treat a number of conditions including fluid retention (edema), high blood pressure, and glaucoma.
How do Diuretics Work?
Diuretics work by making your kidneys excrete more sodium in the urine. The body then tries to balance out this increased amount of sodium concentration, by adding more water to the urine from the blood stream during the process of urine formation.
By expelling the excess water in the urine there is now a decreased amount of fluid flowing through the blood vessels and pressure on the walls of the arteries is reduced.
What are the Benefits of Diuretics?
Diuretics are commonly used to treat hypertension and heart problems related to high blood pressure. In addition, certain diuretics can be used to prevent, treat or relieve symptoms of a variety of medical conditions.
Ailments for Which Diuretics May Be Effective
* Congestive heart failure
* Hypertension
* Edema
* Polycystic ovary syndrome
* Certain kidney disorders
* Liver disease
* Diabetes insipidus
* Osteoporosis
* Glaucoma
* Urinary tract infection
What Kinds of Diuretics are Available?
Diuretics can be found in a variety of food sources, prescription medications and natural remedies.
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