| name: | Diuretics |
| also known as: | Water Pills |
| also see: | Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; Thiazide Diuretics; Loop Diuretics; Osmotic Diuretics; Potassium Sparing Diuretics; Congestive Heart Failure; High Blood Pressure; Cor Pulmonale; Water Weight; Pulmonary Edema |
| description: | Diuretics are drugs that cause a diuresis, or loss of body fluid volume by increasing urine flow. In general, they all work by altering the ion transport within the nephrons of the kidney. In most cases, they all end up inhibiting resorption of sodium ions and the water is brought along passively in the urine. That is, diuretics dump salt and pull the water with it. There are five categories of diuretics: 1. Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors 2. Thiazide Diuretics 3. Loop Diuretics 4. Osmotic Diuretics 5. Potassium Sparing Diuretics Most diuretics are used in the treatment of congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, water weight and pulmonary edema. |
| signs & symptoms: | Go to Also See above and click on the highlighted subject of interest. |
| treatment: | Diuretics depending upon the type, are given orally or intravenously. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If you have questions, problems, or concerns regarding any medication |
| go to: | Go to the phone and ask your pharmacist or your doctor, or go to the doctor. |
Last updated 3/27/2009