What is a diuretic?

A diuretic is any substance that promotes the production of urine, or, in other words, a medicine that help reduce the amount of water in the body.

There are different types of diuretics: thiazide, loop, and potassium-sparing diuretics. All of them make your body excrete more fluids as urine, but each type works differently. Alternatively, an antidiuretic such as vasopressin, or antidiuretic hormone, is an agent or drug which reduces the excretion of water in urine.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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43 Comments

Ian MacBrown

Beer is a great diuretic.! ;-)

Belgasem Goma

It has a daul effect used mainly to reduce high blood pressure by increasing excretion of sodium and water in urine so reducing blood volume.

Sheila Robinson

Did anyone notice the significance of the dandelion photo. Dandelion leaves have a diuretic effect, hence the french translation “pissenlit”

Jim Adams

Ian MacBrown, You don’t buy beer, you rent it.

Cheryl Love

Irma Rivera, many who use diuretics do not absorb potassium well from supplements (many people do not absorb it well period). There are potassium-sparing diuretics now.

Cheryl Love

steve, that would be if someone were to use them long-term or all the time. A limited use is not likely to disrupt potassium/sodium equilibrium. They are also used in cases of heart failure and edema.

Cheryl Love

Technically a bit more complicated; it is a substance which induces the movement of water and sodium out of tissues and into the kidneys. There are at least 5 classes of diuretics, not 3. That’s old info. The origin of the word means from/through urine. Today it refers to decreasing water and sodium in tissues by moving them into kidneys, to reduce blood pressure, manage heart failure, or manage edema.

steve

Diuretics are the first line of drug therapy for hypertension (high blood pressure). Increasing the loss of water and sodium decreases blood pressure by reducing the volume of fluid that the heart has to pump. Unfortunately, diuretics also cause the body to eliminate potassium, which is necessary for many bodily functions, including a normal heartbeat. A potassium supplement is often needed, but this should be determined by your physician. Dietary sources of potassium are usually insufficient to meet and replace the losses caused by a diuretic.

muithiatdigz

Irma Rivera, unless it is a potassium sparing diuretic!

Donna Smith

I missed the correct answer But it FIGURES

dsneed

anthonygriffin, Growing older is not for cowards.

dsneed

tesla alset, You go (no pun) tesla alset hang in there for sure!

dsneed

Yeah, familiar with that. Yay me.

Isabel Laing

Correct from nursing days.

Martha McDowell

Excellently written and made me read the question and answers twicr

James Parrillo, with Christine

anthonygriffin, Mr. Griffin, I pray that you will never join some of the QuizzClub members in needing these medicines. Be well, and think positive thoughts, as I am sure not every older person needs them. Thank you, Christine, James's wife