Water Pills for Weight Loss: Should You Take Them?

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We may be tempted to make bad decisions in our desire to lose weight quickly and easily, such as taking pills that are not right for us.

In general, there is no such thing as a pill that can make you lose weight, so it is pointless to search for one. However, there is a link between weight gain and a number of medical conditions that can only be treated with special medications.

Regular swelling in your hands, feet, ankles, or legs after drinking fluids may be a sign of water retention in your tissues or circulatory system, also called edema.

It might indicate serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes. The problem may be caused by hormonal problems, which are especially prevalent in overweight people. Certain anti-inflammatory medications may also result in water retention.

Diuretics, a medical term for water pills, can be used to treat this condition. They help you eliminate excess water from your body and normalize your heart and stomach.

When taken according to the instructions, water pills are considered to be generally safe. But if they were misused, they could result in dangerous side effects.

This article will focus on water pills, and we will shed some light on how they work and if they can be used for weight loss without causing any side effects.

What Are Water Pills?

Water pills are medications that help your body expel excess water and salt. Based on how they work, water pills fall into three groups: thiazide, loop, and potassium-sparing diuretics.

Water pills work by forcing your kidneys to excrete important electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, and potassium into the urine, which reduces the flow of fluids through your veins and arteries and lowers your blood pressure.

They are usually prescribed to treat tissue swelling, high blood pressure, heart failure, and liver or kidney dysfunction. But you might have heard claims that diuretics can also help drop a few pounds quickly because they reduce fluid buildup.

Although you should only take prescription water pills under your doctor’s guidance, some of them are also available without a prescription.

In most cases, over-the-counter diuretics that are available without a prescription have not been approved by the FDA and might be caffeine-laden or herbal remedies that can cause discomfort such as insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach aches, nausea, and vomiting, when taken carelessly.

How Much Weight Can You Lose With Water Pills?

Drinking a single water pill can help you lose 1–2 pounds overnight for an average person with no health issues. The problem is that as long as you’re losing water weight, you’ll likely regain it all as soon as you start drinking fluids.

People lose weight when they burn more calories than they consume. One pound of fat is typically lost when 3,500 extra calories are burned, and this typically takes at least a week.

It may seem like an eternity in comparison to losing one pound overnight. However, remember that the water weight will naturally come and go in a healthy person’s body without the need for pills.

Weigh the risks of taking medications against the benefits of losing water weight that would disappear on its own if you stopped eating salty food.

How Quickly Do Water Pills Work?

It usually takes between 1–2 hours for a water pill to work and lasts up to 8 hours. The first thing you notice is that you start going to the bathroom more often and gradually lose extra water.

Try not to take water pills in the evening because they cause frequent urination and might force you to wake up at night.

No matter why you are taking water pills, you should know they are meant to lower high blood pressure. As you are losing water weight, your blood pressure might drop, leading to side effects.

Side Effects of Water Pills

Water pills can cause side effects such as dehydration, dizziness, increased blood sugar, skin rash, headaches, muscle cramps, joint problems, and even erectile dysfunction. Health risks associated with these side effects range from excessive weight loss to kidney injury.

Drinking water is necessary for the proper functioning of your body, especially during weight loss. When trying to lose weight, the body undergoes many changes, including an increase in protein synthesis and fat burning. Both of these result in toxin buildup and constipation.

Water pills, which deprive your body of water, leave it unable to flush out these toxins and increase your risk of inflammation. This can lead to headaches, dizziness, and other serious consequences.

You may also get muscle cramps from taking water pills since your body needs a sufficient volume of liquid to ensure smooth movement.

It is important to choose mild diuretics when taking water pills to avoid depletion of potassium. You might be able to reduce the risk of losing too much sodium with potassium-sparing diuretics. Still, they should be used at a moderate dose and with caution.

Water pills can cause irreversible consequences for some people, so it is recommended that they be taken at the doctor’s discretion.

Who should not use water pills?

People who have kidney disease or arrhythmia should never drink water pills without consulting their doctor. Also, pregnant women, children, and the elderly should not take water pills without a doctor’s prescription.

Some of the more common diuretics contain a risk for acute kidney injury. These include hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, and spironolactone, especially when combined with other medications.

When pregnant women take water pills without a prescription, they might have premature labor and health problems for their unborn children.

For older people, water pills can cause inflated effects and possibly cause heart attacks if taken without a doctor’s supervision.

FAQs

Conclusion

A weight loss pill doesn’t exist, so don’t fall prey to the useless advice of trying magic cures that promise quick weight loss.

Water pills are not able to help you with weight loss more than just temporarily flushing out excess water from your system. Uncontrolled use of water pills, especially when combined with other medications, such as laxatives, might have serious consequences on your health, starting from dehydration up to kidney injury.

If you take water pills, choose mild diuretics so that you don’t deplete your body of potassium. However, it will be much better to go for natural diuretics such as herbal remedies.

To achieve healthy weight loss, develop healthy eating habits, reduce carbs, increase fiber in your diet, and find an exercise program that fits your needs and preferences. Do not let frustration win out over consistency. Focus on the process and small wins.