Diuretics are touted as the go-to solution for everything, from bloating to weight gain. These pills make our kidneys deposit more sodium into our urine. In response to the increased sodium deposit, the kidneys take in water from the blood. This causes you to pass more urine than usual, hence the name “water pills.” Most doctors today prescribe water pills to their patients. If you’ve ever wondered what makes them special, here are 4 benefits of water pills.
1. Decrease Water Retention
Our bodies require a perfect balance of sodium and water to help the kidneys function normally. This is called the electrolyte balance. A higher salt level in the body causes retention of excess water. This puts extra pressure on the kidneys to expel water. Water pills assist the kidneys in this by pulling water from the tissues, relieving fluid build up (or edema), and converting the water to urine.1
2. Reduce Hypertension And The Risks Of Heart Disease
Removal of excess water and salt reduces the volume of blood. This eases the strain put on delicate blood vessels. Circulation of lowered blood volume reduces blood pressure and any strain on the heart. This is why water pills are prescribed to those who suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure).2
Sodium retention is often a precursor to hospitalization in people with heart failure. Diuretics are prescribed to prevent sodium retention and reduce fluid buildup in the lungs and swollen feet and arms that come with heart disease.3 Lowered blood pressure might also lower the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases.4 And the controlled use of water pills has been linked to lowered risks of mortality.5
3. Initiate Weight Loss
Water pills can help kick off your weight-loss program if you are prescribed this medication for obesity. When diuretics remove excess water from the body, they relieve bloating and puffiness. This way you end up losing water weight. A healthy diet along with necessary lifestyle modifications post the medication is essential for maintaining the ideal body weight. Ensure that you do not overuse the diuretics.6
4. Reduce Menstruation-Related Bloating
You may feel bloated just before or after your period – your abdomen feels full and tight and you don’t feel like moving around. Bloating is caused by the body trying to hold on to excess water as it needs the extra fluid to build up the uterine lining. The estrogen and progesterone hormones increase the uptake of sodium and water by the cells, causing water retention and bloating. Water pills reduce the bloating you get on your period.7
Experts also believe that diuretics can be prescribed to relieve bloating-related pain. These are also recommended for women going through premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or undergoing hormone replacement therapy.8
Apart from these benefits, diuretics have also been linked to an improvement in ascites. Since water pills are highly endorsed for weight loss, there have been cases of overuse of the drug, especially without a prescription. Over-the-counter use of diuretics for long duration might be harmful to health. Hence, it’s important to consult a medical professional before using them.
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