Diuretics are quite commonly prescribed medicines. They help to decrease blood pressure or quickly eliminate the excess liquid from the body. However, as with all other remedies, they have certain side effects and should be utilized according to the instructions. Let’s unveil how they influence the body.
What are Diuretics?
This group of medicines is also known as water pills and one of the most well-known remedies of it is Lasix. They all aim to make one pee more often and this eliminates water and salt from the body. Still, there are four groups of diuretics that differ in the mechanism of action and other features.
How diuretics work
The exact mechanism depends on the type of the medicine, namely:
- Thiazide diuretics, like hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone influence the kidneys as a whole to pull salt into the pee that leads to water removal.
- Loop diuretics, such as bumetanide and Lasix affect a special part of the kidneys (the loop of Henle) and this leads to the desired effect.
- Potassium-sparing diuretics, like triamterene and amiloride, which save potassium while producing their water-eliminating action.
- A mixture of two previous types in one tablet that gives a stronger effect but helps to maintain electrolyte balance.
Can Diuretics Make You Poop?
Diuretics rarely influence bowel movements and do not make one poop. On the contrary, sometimes they may cause constipation. This happens because the body losses water due to their action and water is required for pooping.
Therefore, it is important to replenish the amount of water and stick to a healthy diet to avoid this possible adverse effect.
Diuretics and Fluid Balance
As now you are aware that water pills take away liquid from your body, you may wonder what happens with its balance.
Of course, these medicines are aimed at eliminating extra fluid. Thus, patients with edema will see it ceasing after the intake of such a pill. In addition, diuretics lead to more frequent peeing.
However, this does not mean that one should stop drinking water. The normal amount of pure drinking water that is at least 1.5 liters per day should be present. This will not hinder the effect of the remedy. Moreover, this will save the body from possible side effects.
Diuretics and Gastrointestinal Effects
Sometimes these medicines cause minor side effects related to the gastrointestinal system, namely:
- indigestion;
- nausea;
- loss of appetite;
- constipation.
However, in most cases, they disappear on their own and do not require any additional remedies or treatment. If the listed effects are persistent, then it’s better to consult a doctor and switch to another medicine for this group.
Managing the Effects of Diuretics
If water pills were prescribed for you but there are certain troubling side effects, do not hesitate to discuss them with your healthcare provider. The following strategies will help to cope with the situation and enjoy only the benefits of diuretics.
Drinking more fluids
While getting this type of treatment, pay attention to drinking enough fluids (pure water first of all), getting enough electrolytes (salt) and adjusting your diet. These steps help to manage bowel movements and bring them back to the norm if something goes wrong.
Keep in mind, that on diuretics one loses water and salts and to the same extent, they should be replenished. Their lack that may happen due to the pronounced action of diuretics is the main cause of all adverse effects that are possible in this case.
Anti-diarrheal pills
If diarrhea appears during this type of treatment, special medicines may help to stop it. Thus, if you observe runny poo, use Loperamide, Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol and consult a doctor on your further actions.
Furthermore, this adverse effect may happen due to some mistakes in the diet. Thus, consider this issue also and change eating habits to avoid this side effect.
Talk to your doctor
Last but not least, if you feel any unpleasant consequences due to the intake of diuretics, inform your doctor at once. As there are four groups of these medicines, it is easy to select another option. Then, the doctor may adjust the dose and prescribe an additional treatment for diarrhea or another gastrointestinal issue.
Do not underestimate the adverse effects that may appear after the intake of water pills. They possess quite a powerful action and may quickly eliminate too much water and salt from the body. This may lead to various adverse effects and some of them are quite dangerous for health. That is why always stick to the prescribed doses and treatment mode and inform your doctor about all side effects that appear.
Summary
In a nutshell, diuretics are medicines that work with kidneys and intensify their work. They can do this through different mechanisms but the result is always the same. The patient starts to pee more often and gets rid excess of water. This helps in the case of edema of various origins, high blood pressure and other conditions.
As for bowel movements, these remedies usually do not affect this process and do not cause pooping.
FAQ
Do diuretics affect bowel movements?
In most cases, they do not influence the intestines. If the body eliminates too much water, this may lead to constipation.
Does a diuretic make you pee or poop?
The main aim of these pills is to make one pee more frequently. As for the pooping, it is not observed as a side or direct effect of this group of medicines.
What is the #1 most common side effect of diuretics?
Frequent peeing is considered the most common adverse effect. Still, it is the direct result of their action because they are aiming at the elimination of excess water from the body through the kidneys.
Should you drink a lot of water when taking diuretics?
The amount of drinking water should be the same as usual, approximately 1.5-2 liters per day. If one feels that more water is required, then it can be more but not less.