Diuretics, Kidney Diseases

Diuretics increase the rate of urine volume output, as the name implies. Most diuretics also increase urinary excretion of solutes, especially sodium and chloride. In fact, most diuretics that are used clinically act by decreasing renal tubular sodium reabsorption, which causes natriuresis (increased sodium output), in turn causing diuresis (increased water output). That is, in most cases, increased water excretion occurs secondary to inhibition of tubular sodium reabsorption because sodium remaining in the tubules acts osmotically to decrease water reabsorption. Because renal tubular reabsorption of many solutes, such as potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium, is also influenced secondarily by sodium reabsorption, many diuretics raise the renal output of these solutes as well.

The most common clinical use of diuretics is to reduce extracellular fluid volume, especially in diseases associated with edema and hypertension. Loss of sodium from the body mainly decreases extracellular fluid volume; therefore, diuretics are most often administered in clinical conditions in which extracellular fluid volume is expanded.

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to understand;

DIURETICS AND THEIR MECHANISMS OF ACTION

KIDNEY DISEASES

TREATMENT OF RENAL FAILURE BY TRANSPLANTATION OR DIALYSIS