How diuretics cause electrolyte imbalance?
They lower blood pressure by helping your body eliminate sodium and water through your urine. However, some diuretics can also cause you to eliminate more potassium in your urine. This can lead to low potassium levels in your blood (hypokalemia).
What electrolytes are lost when taking diuretics?
People who take diuretics also need to be careful if they increase their water consumption in response to being thirsty. That’s because electrolytes such as potassium and sodium are lost in addition to the water driven out by diuretics.
Which important electrolyte is affected by diuretic therapy?
Secondary changes in other electrolyte systems and in acid base homeostasis also are induced by diuretic therapy. Especially diuretic induced hypokalemia is important as it is responsible for the excess mortality observed in patients with diuretic treated essential hypertension and cardiac abnormalities.
What electrolyte imbalance is a major complication of diuretics?
Hyponatremia is an occasional but potentially fatal complication of diuretic therapy. Virtually all cases of severe diuretic-induced hyponatremia have been due to a thiazide-type diuretic [1-7].
Do diuretics deplete electrolytes?
Proper electrolyte balance is essential to good health, and diuretics may cause electrolyte imbalance. The most common electrolyte imbalance, hyponatremia, having too little sodium, can result from the use of diuretics.
What diuretic is potassium wasting?
Thiazide diuretics, such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), and hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDiuril, Microzide) tend to deplete potassium levels.
Can diuretic cause low sodium?
Hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is an uncommon, but serious, complication of diuretic therapy. Thiazide diuretics are more likely than loop diuretics to cause hyponatremia. Loop diuretics inhibit sodium (Na+) transport in the renal medulla and prevent the generation of a maximal osmotic gradient.
How does diuretic cause metabolic alkalosis?
The generation of a metabolic alkalosis with diuretic therapy is primarily due to contraction of the extracellular fluid space caused by urinary losses of a relatively HCO3 -free fluid.