Water retention tablets are nothing but diuretics that help the body get rid of excess water. But, do these pills always work? Read the following passages to find out.
One of the most common problems faced by many people today is that of water retention, also known as fluid retention. It is a condition in which water gets stored between the cells and this gives rise to a bloated appearance. This phenomenon is associated with many conditions, like pregnancy, congestive heart failure, etc. It is usually a vital symptom of these conditions. One of the effective ways of treating fluid retention is with the help of water retention pills, also known as diuretics. It is a class of drugs that helps in ridding the body of excess water through urine.
Do Water Retention Tablets Work?
☛ The answer is yes, they do but only under certain conditions. Diuretic pills increase the frequency and volume of urine output thereby helping the body get rid of excess water.
☛ However, this is not the ultimate cure for the problem. Most importantly, you first need to analyze and detect the underlying cause.
☛ At times, it may be a symptom of a far more serious underlying condition, and if you get rid of water retention, this symptom may improve but the underlying disease won’t.
☛ Fluid retention is observed in people with congestive heart failure and merely using pills to treat the problem of retention won’t help.
☛ Very rarely does water retention occur as an isolated condition, like when a person only has a diet high in salt content, it leads to fluid retention and weight gain.
☛ In such cases, a mild change in the diet along with the intake of diuretics greatly helps in reducing the problem.
☛ However, one of the biggest problems of using these pills is that along with loss of water, due to an increase in urination rate, volume, and frequency, you may end up losing out on many vital salts and minerals as well.
☛ This happens due to an osmotic effect on the body, which may lead to a serious condition known as hypokalemia that can have dire symptoms.
☛ Thus, one should always try and look for alternatives to water pills, as this is one of the major risks involved with their usage during pregnancy.
Some Alternatives
☛ So, now that it has been established that water retention, in most cases, is caused by some other underlying condition, it is best to opt for some remedies to deal with this condition.
☛ One simple remedy would be to decrease the intake of salt. Also, ironic as it may seem, sometimes even in cases of dehydration, a person may suffer from fluid retention.
☛ In such cases, it is best to drink plenty of water so as to prevent the body from storing it. Also, there are many natural diuretics, like cranberry juice and green tea. These have plenty of other benefits as well. So, you can try these options before resorting to diuretic pills.
The body’s filtering system, comprising liver and kidneys, is the best natural functioning system that prevents the problem of fluid retention. So, if you are suffering from water retention, then chances are that there’s some problem deep down. So, if you still wish to take over-the-counter water pills to get rid of the problem, then it is best to visit a doctor, get a full body checkup done, and only then opt for these pills.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
