Therefore, in this article we are going to focus on the best natural diuretics and effective natural water pills that are recommended. While it would be ideal to eliminate the foods that cause edema, many find this virtually impossible. This can be unattractive and often painful, particularly swollen ankles and swollen feet. Water retention often causes swelling of the hands, legs, ankles and feet as well as bloating in the face and a bloated stomach. The American diet is high in sodium, refined sugars, and other highly processed foods which trigger inflammation and retention of fluids. However, the most common cause is the foods we eat. There are several reasons for water retention, including pregnancy, hormones and even long plane rides.

This article provides simple natural remedies you can follow. No matter what level of severity it is always recommended that water retention be diagnosed and remedied. There are different levels of water retention, ranging from a simple nuisance too severe illness in critical cases. Water retention, also called edema or fluid retention, occurs when fluid is not optimally removed from the circulatory system, tissues or cavities of the body. To learn more about managing hypertension, buy ' Controlling Your Blood Pressure: What to do when your doctor says you have hypertension.Most people experience water retention from time to time. If you take any diuretic medication, ask your doctor whether you need periodic testing of your potassium and kidney function. So, people who take potassium-sparing diuretics should avoid these products. One way to do that is to use salt substitutes, but these products are high in potassium-a quarter teaspoon of one brand contains about 800 mg of potassium. People with high blood pressure or heart failure are often advised to limit how much salt or sodium they consume. If potassium levels become too high, it can cause dangerous heart rhythm problems and even cardiac arrest. Potassium-sparing diuretics, which include amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and eplerenone (Inspra), avoid the potential problem of potassium loss. If you take these medications, your doctor will likely encourage you to eat more potassium rich foods and beverages and limit salt intake. So do loop diuretics, such as bumetanide (Bumex) and furosemide (Lasix). Thiazide diuretics, such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), and hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDiuril, Microzide) tend to deplete potassium levels.

And while some water pills tend to lower potassium levels, others have the opposite effect. But age, diabetes, heart failure, and certain other conditions may impair kidney function. In general, your kidneys help regulate potassium levels in your blood. This mineral plays a key role in controlling blood pressure, as well as nerve and muscle function. In addition to getting rid of extra salt in your body, diuretic medications also affect levels of potassium. Men may occasionally experience erectile dysfunction. Other possible side effects include lightheadedness, fatigue, bowel changes, and muscle cramps. Not surprisingly, one of the most common side effects of taking water pills is frequent urination. People with heart failure, who often gain weight because their bodies hold onto excess fluid (a condition called edema), are often prescribed diuretic medications. This process decreases blood volume, so the heart has less to pump with each beat, which in turn lowers blood pressure. They help the kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body. Often called water pills, these drugs help lower blood pressure and are a mainstay for treating heart failure.ĭiuretics, commonly called 'water pills,' are the oldest and some of the least expensive class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure.

Over the counter diuretic