* HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION)
       * LOW SODIUM (HYPONATREMIA)
       * LOW POTASSIUM (HYPOKALEMIA)

                Diuretics are the medications commonly given to increase the volume of the urine to remove excess fluid from the body. Some patients know these medications as "Water Pills".

                They increase the volume of the urine ("Diuresis") by blocking the Sodium ("Salt") absorption by the tubules of the Nephrons.  When Sodium is not absorbed, water could not be absorbed as the unabsorbed Sodium drags the water with it.  Most of the diuretics also increase potassium and magnesium loss through the urine. Therefore some (not all) patients will need to supplement them.

                There are many diuretics. They are grouped by in which part of the tubule they block the Sodium absorption. Some of them are more potent than the others. 

                When used indiscriminately, they could cause dangerous conditions like:
                          1.   Severe dehydration /Weakness          
                          2.   Severe Sodium (salt) depletion (Hyponatremia)
                          3.   Cramps
                          4.   Severe Potassium depletion               
                          5.   Some Magnesium depletion
                          6.   Irregular heart beats due to 4 and 5.   
                          7.  Confusion and seizures due to 2
                          8.   Shock

                Names of some of the commonly used Diuretics are:
                          1.    Lasix  AKA  Furosemide       2.   Hydrochlorothiazide  AKA   HCTZ
                          3.    Lozole  AKA  Indapamide     4.   Bumax
                          5.    Zaroxolyn                            6.   Diazide
                          7.    Maxide                                8.   Spiranolactone  AKA  Aldactone
                          9.    Amiloride                          10.   Diamox   AKA  Acetazolamide