24 Jul Natural diuretics: A guide to water retention tablets

Brigitte Gallagher explains what to look for when you’re choosing which water retention tablets to take.

Before you decide to try water retention tablets, it’s worth taking a few moments to understand exactly what fluid retention is.

Water retention or fluid retention occurs when excess fluid builds up within the body, resulting in swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, legs and tummy area.

Whilst often uncomfortable, water retention is not usually a sign of anything serious. Common causes include sitting for too long, a poor diet – or just the normal hormonal changes that occur before menstruation.

That said, sometimes water retention can be a sign of a significant illness, such as kidney or heart failure. So if your water retention is severe, or comes on very suddenly, you should see a doctor to rule out anything more serious.

What are water retention tablets?

Water retention tablets, also known as diuretics, are the medicines used to alleviate fluid retention – you may also see them referred to as ‘water tablets’.

They work by increasing the amount of urine you produce, which allows your body to naturally get rid of excess water and salts.

Prescription water retention tablets

There are several diuretics doctors can prescribe for specific types of severe water retention, which will probably be thiazide and thiazide-related drugs, loop diuretics and potassium-sparing diuretics.

Some patients complain of unpleasant side effects when taking these sorts of prescription diuretics, including dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea and low blood pressure.

Prescription diuretics can also cause your body to expel too much potassium or sodium which can lead to muscle weakness and painful cramps.

Natural water retention tablets

There are also some water retention tablets you can buy over the counter. These are called natural diuretics and contain herbs, dietary supplements and ingredients https://hriherbalmedicine.co.uk/why-herbs/#ingredients with natural diuretic properties.

For mild water retention, these are likely to be preferable, as they don’t come with the risk of the uncomfortable side effects linked with prescription diuretics.

HRI Water Balance™

HRI Water Balance™ are the only natural tablets for water retention that are approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Formulated with a unique combination of active extracts of dandelion root and leaf, uva ursi and buchu leaf, two easy-to-swallow tablets a day can keep water retention symptoms at bay.

HRI Water Balance™ works by expelling excess fluid from the body, safely and naturally.

Dandelion root and leaf combine to offer a gentle but effective herbal diuretic, whilst buchu leaf has been chosen for its combination of diuretic and antioxidant properties. Uva-ursi completes the triad of potent natural ingredients and helps to maintain the health of the bladder and urinary tract.

More natural ways to treat water retention

There are other natural ways to relieve water retention. These include massage and exercises that use movement to promote lymphatic drainage, helping your body get rid of excess water, toxins and metabolic waste.

Although it sounds counter-intuitive, water retention can actually be triggered by mild dehydration, so it’s a good idea to increase your fluid intake. Simply drinking more water can help to flush toxins and stimulate the body to release some of the fluid it is retaining.

Having a diet high in salt will also contribute to water retention. This is because salt contains sodium which can cause our bodies to conserve water. Reducing the amount of salt in your diet can be another solution to fluid retention.

There are a wealth of useful articles and tips on our website designed to help you manage water retention naturally without prescription drugs.

So don’t put up with swollen ankles or fingers any longer. Have a chat with your GP to make sure it’s not a sign of anything serious, and then try these natural ways to relieve water retention and feel more comfortable.