Common Side Effects Of Diuretics

Dizziness

In addition to headaches, the dehydration that can occur with diuretics may trigger dizziness. Patients might feel unsteady on their feet, and they could notice lightheadedness. To treat dizziness at home, doctors recommend individuals try to sit or lie down until their dizziness has passed, and drinking water or a cold drink can help. Patients should try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, and they should ensure they get a sufficient amount of sleep each night. If dizziness occurs regularly, doctors may be able to switch the patient to a different medication. Tests such as eye movement testing, head movement testing, and posturography might be performed if the physician suspects there could be an underlying cause for the patient's dizziness. Individuals who have dizziness together with a severe headache, shortness of breath, or chest pain should go to an emergency room for evaluation.

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Increased Thirst

Some patients who take diuretics may notice increased thirst. This symptom typically develops as a result of the increased fluid loss these medications produce. Increased thirst could be a sign the patient is dehydrated and has lost too much fluid, so individuals who notice this symptom should always seek medical advice. Patients who take diuretics to treat kidney or heart conditions often need to restrict fluids, and they need to ask their physician about how much daily fluid intake they should have. Individuals with severe kidney or heart conditions might be asked to measure all liquids and record these amounts. While the increased thirst triggered by diuretics may cause an urge to drink more fluids, doing so could upset the fluid balance in a patient's body, which may lead to problems with electrolytes. Reducing salt in the diet may help reduce thirst, and patients might want to try sucking on frozen fruit or ice chips to satisfy their thirst without increasing their liquid intake. Chewing on hard candy, mints, or gum keeps the mouth moist and can reduce the desire for fluids too.

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