The Effects Of Diuretic Abuse On Physical Health

People with eating disorders sometimes take diuretics (also known as water retention tablets) because they believe that the weight lost is due to loss of fat. In fact, diuretics have no effect whatsoever on calorie absorption, and the weight loss seen is due to water loss. As soon as the diuretics are stopped, rehydration occurs, and weight returns to normal. 

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Non-prescription (over the counter) diuretics 

Whilst over the counter diuretics rarely cause medical problems they can contain very high levels of caffeine. This can lead to headaches, trembling and a rapid heart rate. Caffeine can also greatly increase anxiety. 

Prescription diuretics 

Abuse of prescription diuretics tends to be more dangerous. 

Dehydration 

Consistent abuse of diuretics will lead to dehydration, the chromic effects of which are:  

·       Feeling thirsty all the time 

·       Light-headedness 

·       Feeling weak 

·       Fainting (especially on standing) 

·       Frequent urinary tract infections (e.g., cystitis) 

·       Kidney damage 

Electrolyte (body salts) imbalance 

When you abuse diuretics you will get rid of many essential salts (potassium, sodium and chloride) that keep nerve and muscle function normal. This leads to: 

·       Irregular heart beat/ palpitations 

·       Weakness 

·       Muscle weakness and spasms (made worse by over exercise) 

·       Irritability 

·       Convulsions 

·       Cardiac failure 

NB. These effects are likely to be worse if you also abuse laxatives and/or regularly vomit. 

Low levels of magnesium in the blood 

This is called hypomagnesaemia it can make the symptoms of low potassium worse, and can result in arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and even in sudden death. 

Urine problems  

Abuse of tablets that stimulate urine production will potentially cause problems with passing urine: 

·       Polyuria (producing large amounts of urine) 

·       Blood in urine (hematuria) 

·       Pyuria (puss in urine) 

Kidney damage 

Long-term abuse of diuretics can eventually lead to kidney problems due to the effect of chronic dehydration, and also due to the toxic effect of the diuretics on the kidneys. 

Other problems 

Diuretics can cause several other problems, such as: 

·       Nausea 

·       Abdominal pain 

·       Constipation 

Reference: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for eating Disorders (Glenn Waller et al., 2007)