Diuretics and laxatives are not useful weight loss tools, in fact they are more likely to do you harm than help you lose weight. These drugs are supposed to work by reducing your excess body water. They certainly do what they claim. Many users report extremely rapid and significant weight loss. But there is a cost to your body. The fact is that diuretics are not proven to promote the loss of fat, they just remove retained fluid. And the result is a temporary weight loss.

What are diuretics? How they work?

A diuretic is any drug that elevates the rate of bodily urine excretion (diuresis). There are several categories of diuretics, often known as "water tablets". All diuretics increase the excretion of water from the body, although each class of diuretic does so in a distinct way. Diuretics are medicines that remove water from the body by increasing the amount of urine the kidneys produce.

Diuretics are non-habit-forming medications that act on the kidneys. They stimulate the kidneys to produce more urine and thus help the body eliminate unneeded water and minerals (e.g., sodium) from the body through the urine. They work by making your kidneys excrete more sodium in urine. If the kidney excretes more sodium, then water excretion will also increase. The sodium, in turn, takes water with it from your blood.

Diuretics reduce the amount of water and salt that is re-absorbed by your kidneys. So, more water and salt passes out with the waste products into your urine. This means that you make more urine. As a result of this loss of water from the blood, the overall volume of blood is reduced. Getting rid of excess salt and fluid helps lower blood pressure. When less blood flows through the arteries, the pressure on the artery walls decreases, and also makes it easier for your heart to pump. This gives your heart less work to do and helps to reduce the pressure of blood in your arteries, which is what high blood pressure actually is.

Uses:

Diuretics may be used to treat a variety of conditions. They are very commonly used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure and also prescribed for certain kinds of kidney disease, liver problems and glaucoma. Some diuretics, such as acetazolamide, help to make the urine more alkaline and are helpful in increasing excretion of substances such as aspirin in cases of overdose or poisoning.

Sometimes a combination of two diuretics is given because this can be significantly more effective than either compound alone (synergistic effect).

Diuretics are often abused by sufferers of eating disorders, especially bulimics, in attempts at weight loss.

Types of diuretics:

There are four general types of diuretic medicines: thiazide, loop, potassium-sparing and osmotic.

Each type works a little differently, but they all lower the amount of salt and water in your body, which helps to lower your blood pressure. Diuretics all work on the kidneys. Each works by affecting a different part of your kidneys, and each may have different uses, side effects and precautions.

None of diuretic is recommended for pregnant women, and only potassium-sparing diuretics appear to be safe during breast-feeding.
Which diuretic is best for you depends on your health and the condition being treated.

Most people should try thiazide diuretics as the first choice to treat high blood pressure and heart problems related to high blood pressure. In addition, doctors prescribe certain diuretics to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:
* Congestive heart failure
* Edema
* Polycystic ovary syndrome
* Certain kidney disorders, such as kidney stones
* Diabetes insipidus
* Female hirsutism
* Osteoporosis

Thiazide diuretics:

Thiazide diuretics, which are the most commonly used diuretic, provide the most effect on lowering blood pressure, cause moderate increases in sodium excretion, and are appropriate for long-term use.

Thiazide diuretics, inhibit the sodium-chloride transporter in the distal tubule. Because this transporter normally only reabsorbs about 5% of filtered sodium, these diuretics are less efficacious than loop diuretics in producing diuresis and natriuresis. Nevertheless, they are sufficiently powerful to satisfy most therapeutic needs requiring a diuretic. Thiazide diuretics are commonly prescribed for heart patients, either alone or in conjunction with a potassium-sparing version. They are also used to treat high pressure blood (hypertension).

These drugs have been shown to reduce calcium excretion, meaning they are attractive options for patients with kidney stones or osteoporosis.

Loop diuretics:

Loop diuretics are more powerful and are often used when people have congestive heart failure symptoms and are especially useful in emergencies or if thiazide diuretis are not effective.

Loop diuretics inhibit the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter in the thick ascending limb. This transporter normally reabsorbs about 25% of the sodium load; therefore, inhibition of this pump can lead to a significant increase in the distal tubular concentration of sodium, reduced hypertonicity of the surrounding interstitium, and less water reabsorption in the collecting duct. This altered handling of sodium and water leads to both diuresis (increased water loss) and natriuresis (increased sodium loss). By acting on the thick ascending limb, which handles a significant fraction of sodium reabsorption, loop diuretics are very powerful diuretics. These drugs also induce renal synthesis of prostaglandins, which contributes to their renal action including the increase in renal blood flow and redistribution of renal cortical blood flow.

Loop diuretics produce the greatest increase in urine flow. They may be administered through an intravenous line in the hospital to reduce swelling (edema) in patients with a variety of conditions (e.g., heart failure). They are most commonly used as oral medications.

Potassium-sparing diuretics:

Potassium-sparing diuretics help your body retain potassium while removing sodium from your blood. They are used more often in congestive heart failure patients. If you suffer from impaired kidneys, this type of diuretic can lead to exessive potassium levels and cause heart rhythm irregularities.

Unlike loop and thiazide diuretics, some of these drugs do not act directly on sodium transport. Some drugs in this class antagonize the actions of aldosterone (aldosterone receptor antagonists) at the distal segment of the distal tubule. This causes more sodium (and water) to pass into the collecting duct and be excreted in the urine. They are called K+-sparing diuretics because they do not produce hypokalemia like the loop and thiazide diuretics. The reason for this is that by inhibiting aldosterone-sensitive sodium reabsorption, less potassium and hydrogen ion are exchanged for sodium by this transporter and therefore less potassium and hydrogen are lost to the urine. Other potassium-sparing diuretics directly inhibit sodium channels associated with the aldosterone-sensitive sodium pump, and therefore have similar effects on potassium and hydrogen ion as the aldosterone antagonists. Their mechanism depends on renal prostaglandin production. Because this class of diuretic has relatively weak effects on overall sodium balance, they are often used in conjunction with thiazide or loop diuretics to help prevent hypokalemia.

Potassium-sparing diuretics are used to protect the body from excess potassium loss, which can occur with loop and thiazide diuretics. Far less potent, potassium-sparing diuretics are commonly used in conjunction with the other forms of diuretics. They are also frequently used in patients with liver disease and ascites (fluid build-up in the abdomen due to liver damage). In addition, they can be used to treat high blood pressure and low potassium levels.

Osmotic diuretics:

Osmotic diuretics are the least used form of diuretics. They draw fluid from the cells of the brain and eyes, as well as increase the elimination of toxins introduced into the body (from legal or illegal drugs) through urine. The mechanic process involves the increase of osmotic pressure (ion concentration) in blood and blood vessels, inhibiting the reabsorption of water and dissolved substances, and causing an increase in urine flow.

Examples of diuretics:

thiazide-like:
* Esidrix (hydrochlorothiazide also commonly known as HCTZ)
* Zaroxolyn (metolazone)

loop:
* Lasix (furosemide)
* Bumex (bumetanide)

potassium-sparing:
* Aldactone (spironolactone)
* Eplerenone (Inspra)

Diuretics & Laxatives Dangers

What the commercials don't tell you is how this reduction in your body water can potentially harm you. The diuretics will flush out more than just water - users report dangerously low levels of vitamins and minerals like potassium. A lack of water in the body can also result in severe liver and kidney problems, perhaps even gallstones.

In general, potential side effects of diuretics include increased urination, weakness, dizziness, dehydration and, depending on the type of diuretic, potassium decrease or increase, or sodium decrease.

The most common side effect of diuretics is potassium loss. With the exception of potassium-sparing versions, all diuretics may cause a loss of potassium. Rarely, potassium-sparing diuretics can cause a build-up of potassium in the body. Patients are acquainted to increase the amount of potassium in their diet. Either with potassium pills or foods rich in potassium (like bananas, salmon, melons, almonds, potatoes and spinach).

Symptoms of low levels of potassium include:
* Tiredness or weakness. These effects should decrease as your body adjusts to the medication.
* Numbness
* Diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain.
* Joint pain, muscle twitches or cramps. Be sure that you are taking your potassium supplement correctly, if prescribed.
* Constipation
* Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Be sure that you are taking your potassium supplement correctly, if prescribed.
* Fast heartbeat (tachyarrhythmia)

Less common side effects of diuretics - most of which are related to diuresis (urinating too much) and dehydration - may include:

* Increased thirst, excessive dryness of the mouth, dark-colored urine, difficult or painful urination and constipation. Don't assume you need more fluids, drinking more will NOT take care of the problem - call your doctor.
* Fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness, especially after getting up from a sitting or lying position. Try rising more slowly.
* Confusion, mental changes or moodiness.
* Heaviness or weakness of the legs.
* Arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) or weak pulse.
* Fever or chills, sore throat, cough, unusual bleeding or bruising, rapid and excessive weight loss, increased perspiration (sweating).
* Increased sensitivity to sunlight, causing severe sunburn or rash.
* Jaundice (yellow tint to the skin or eyes)
* Erectile dysfunction (impotence) or decreased desire for sex
* Rarely, potassium-sparing diuretics like Aldactone can cause breast enlargement in men and women, deepening of the voice, increased hair growth and irregular menstrual cycles.

Hyponatremia - This rare side effect is related to a low concentration of sodium in the blood, and may cause confusion, nervousness and headaches, rashes, blurred vision, ringing in ears, restlessness.

Contact your doctor if any of the following symptoms persist.

Alternatives to Diuretics

Some people use diuretics as a weight loss aid, usually when a large amount of weight needs to be lost in a short amount of time. The fact is that diuretics are not proven to promote the loss of fat; they simply remove retained fluid. While the scale may show the loss of a few pounds, it is a temporary loss. This is not a healthy way to lose weight. Increasing the production of urine not only releases fluid, but also helps rid the body of excess salts and may reduce blood volume. Abusing diuretics can lead to dehydration and sometimes severe potassium deficiencies, which can be dangerous.

If you are looking to flush out your system, forget about diuretics with all their unhealthy side effects. A much better alternative is Cleansing. A healthy herbal cleanse will flush the toxins out of your body, help you lose weight, whilst all the time maintaining healthy levels of fluid and minerals in your body.

Foods with natural diuretic properties are better alternative than drug-based diuretics. Some foods that contain natural diuretics are cranberries and cranberry juice, coffee and other beverages that contain caffeine, and apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar also contains potassium, so it may help avoid potassium deficiency. Still, it should be used sparingly. Adding fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, watermelon and others that contain a lot of water will also help increase urination.

Natural diuretics should also be used in moderation. Even though they may be healthier than taking water pills, you shouldn't overdo it.

Note:
This article is for informative purpose only. Consult your doctor before consume diuretics.