Diuretics are drugs that remove salt through the kidneys. This could explain why there is a great encouragement to dispose urine in the early phase of treatment. By reducing the salt content in the body, diuretic drugs (indirectly) lowers blood pressure. This will remind you of the description of salt that can cause increased blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
By taking a diuretic medicine regularly, patients do not need to avoid salt altogether. It will be sufficient if they reduce the amount of salt they eat 1/10-1/5 ounces (3-5 grams) daily. Diuretic drugs not only get rid of excess salt, but also has two important advantages:
- Enhance the effectiveness of other antihypertensive drugs, which means reducing the dose and therefore minimize the incidence of side effects that are not desired.
- Because it stimulates salt and water expenditure, diuretic drugs to help patients who have hypertension complications, congestive heart problems to eliminate its edema.
Thus, among the antihypertensive drugs, diuretic drugs are classified as types of drugs most often used. The doctors prefer a diuretic drugs that affect long-lasting (8-18 hours or even 24-36 hours) because the patient does not need to drink more than once in a day or even only once every two or three days.
