Diuretics

1. Diuretics By: Lisa Koun and Amanada Goodman

2. What is a Diuretic? • Diuretics are a group of drugs given to help the body lose a higher amount of water and sodium(salt) through increased urination. Diuretics are also known as “water pills”. • There are many different kinds of diuretics, but all diuretics increase the excretion of water from the body. • Natural Diuretics Properties- Coffee, Vegetables, Oats • Diuretics work on your kidneys to raise the amount of sodium, and water taken out of your body. • They are used treat high blood pressure, kidney and liver disease, glaucoma, congestive heart failure, edema and to help rid toxins. • Diuretics are the most prescribed drugs in North America.

3. Athletes who abuse diuretics • There are three reason why athletes choose to abuse diuretics: • Appearance • Weight class • Masking • While diuretics are definitely a masking agent, they are abused more in sports with weight classes, such as wrestling, where the athletes wish to be in a lower weight category. • The second group that abused diuretics participates in sports where appearance counts. Bodybuilders, fitness competitors, and even gymnasts. They are known to take diuretics to create a thinner and leaner look.

4. An announcement was made in 2003 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) banning diuretics. • IOC and WADA banned diuretics because athletes would use it to conceal other banned substances that they had taken. • It may seem odd until one realizes that our bodies are two-thirds water and diuretics are extremely good at removing this water. • In as little as 20 minutes one can feel their effects by having a full bladder. A sufficient dosage of diuretics can quickly lead to weight loss of between three- five percent of total body weight. For athletes diuretics seem irresistible. • The Weight loss is not permanent and can be unhealthy.

5. Once an athlete is tested positive for the used ofdiuretics he or she would be breaking the law under the IOC and WADA regulations. • The athlete then would be under suspension up to 1 to 2 years depending on severity and their medals taken away from them.

6. With proper knowledge, you don’t have to be on drugs to get a competitive edge. • Chantal Dicaire who won the 2003 CBBF(body building competition) National World Qualifier. • During the competition, she tested negative.

7. Side Effects Of diuretics • Irritability • Depression • Incontinence • Kidney damage • Fluid retention • Electrolytic imbalance • Impaired hearing • Dehydration • Heart palpation • Fatigue • Muscle Cramps • Muscle weakness • Numbness • Dizziness • Tender breast tissue • Chest pain • Fainting

8. Actions of Diuretics • Loop diuretics affect a part of the kidney called the loop of Henle. Less sodium and chloride are drawn back into that part of the kidney then usual when a loop diuretic is used, and as a result, more fluid leaves the body in the form of urine. Functional unit of the kidney is the nephron divided into several distinct sections. A overview of how the kidney handles water and electrolytes

9. Back in the Game Sports Medicine is a clinic dedicated to the treatment of physical injuries to the body. Caring for an injured body involves more than making the diagnosis; it's about understanding and treating the cause to prevent future injuries. The clinic addresses injuries of the spine, extremities, sports, and auto/work. • Back in the Game Sports Medicine is a clinic dedicated to the treatment of physical injuries to the body. Caring for an injured body involves more than making the diagnosis; it's about understanding and treating the cause to prevent future injuries. The clinic addresses injuries of the spine, extremities, sports, and auto/work.