Edema means swelling of some part of the body due to water retention in it. It may occur as a symptom of different diseases or on its own. Anyway, this condition requires the consultation of a physician and prescription of medicines, namely diuretics. Let’s discover what they are and how they help to solve this problem.
What is Edema
Fluids can be retained in the body due to the following:
- An unhealthy diet rich in salty products;
- Too much strain that is put on the legs;
- Pregnancy;
- Heart failure;
- Hypertension;
- Kidney or liver diseases.
In any of these cases, edema can be mild or severe. According to the condition of the patient, a physician prescribes the treatment. The latter is obligatory as swelling disturbs the normal metabolism in the tissues and may lead to further problems.
Mechanism of action
Due to edema, water does not leave the cells and is retained inside together with salts. Different groups of diuretics influence different parts of water metabolism to flush it out of the body.
Role of Diuretics in Edema Treatment
Diuretics differ in strength but they all help to reduce this condition or even eliminate it completely. When this problem is persistent, these medicines even can be prescribed on a daily basis. For instance, patients with hypertension often need to take these pills every day to lower pressure and get rid of excess water.
Benefits of diuretics for edema
These medicines were developed to treat this symptom. They are effective and help to reduce swelling in different body parts and in the case of various diseases.
Reducing swelling and discomfort
Edema is often associated with unpleasant feelings, especially when it occurs in the feet. Then, the patient cannot find suitable shoes and experience other inconveniences with clothes. Diuretics quickly solve these issues and return tissues to normal condition.
Improving circulation
When an excess of water and salts leaves the cells and blood vessels, the circulation system starts to function better. Too much liquid means a higher load on the cardiovascular system and this has bad consequences on overall health.
Preventing complications
Long-lasting edema disturbs the metabolic processes in those areas where it appears. Blood circulation does not happen there, as it must, so the tissue lacks oxygen and other nutrients. After a long time, this may lead to severe problems in the affected area like skin ulcers and long-term damage to organs.
Enhancing overall well-being
Last but not least is the improvement of the quality of sleep while taking diuretics. Furthermore, when the irritating swelling is gone, it boosts self-esteem and brings a person back to an active lifestyle.
Types of diuretics used for edema
There are three main groups of these medicines that are prescribed by the doctors. They differ in both the mechanism of action and its expressiveness, so they are chosen for different diseases treatment.
Loop
This group includes torsemide (Demadex), furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide. These are the most powerful diuretics that enhance the work of kidneys and help to flush out excess water during the first hours after intake.
They are usually prescribed in case of severe conditions only as they remove not only water but also necessary salts from the body. Thus, it may lead to a misbalance in electrolytes and further heart problems.
Thiazide
Chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), metolazone and indapamide are the most common diuretics for treating hypertension. They decrease blood pressure while eliminating an excess of water. Their effect is mild and is not associated with severe side effects, so they can be prescribed for a long period.
Potassium-sparing
In addition, there are medicines that eliminate water while leaving the potassium. To this group belong amiloride, triamterene (Dyrenium), spironolactone (Aldactone) and eplerenone (Inspra). However, they may leave a patient with too high potassium levels that is also not good.
Choosing the right diuretic for your needs
As there are so many medicines in this group, it is a challenging task to select the one you need. It is advisable to consult the doctor on the prescription. In addition, you may need to pass some tests to make a right choice and the doctor will recommend the required dosage.
Furthermore, you can carefully read the instruction to understand the main features of the chosen medicine. While taking diuretics, one still has to visit a physician regularly to check the amount of potassium and sodium in the body.
Summary
Altogether, diuretics are more than powerful medicines that help to decrease swelling and do it efficiently. However, they can provide some side effects, especially in case of the regular intake. Thus, consult a doctor before taking them and follow the recommendations of the specialist.
FAQ
Why do diuretics help with edema?
Their action is directed at eliminating excess water and salts from the body. They influence different links of water metabolism and reduce swelling efficiently.
How long does it take for diuretics to reduce edema?
This depends on the cause of this condition and the diuretic type. The most powerful among them requires a few hours only to cope with this problem.
Do diuretics get rid of swelling?
Yes, that is how they act and this is the main effect of their intake.
What are the positive effects of diuretics?
These medicines flush out the excess water, improve the circulation of the blood and prevent long-term damage to organs and tissues affected by edema.
