Are you frustrated because you can’t make the bathroom scale reading to shift? Are you planning on taking water pills because you’ve read or seen somewhere that they are effective slimming solutions? If you answered “yes” to both questions, then this article is for you, so continue reading.
Water pills — they’re actually more common than you think. Doctors usually prescribe them to their patients who are suffering from edema (fluid retention), hypertension (high blood pressure) and congestive heart failure because shedding off excess water in the body can be beneficial for those with these medical conditions.
Some water pills can be bought over the counter (OTC) which means that they can be obtained even without presenting a doctor’s prescription. Commonly, they are taken by women who suffer from bloating because of their PMS. Those who are retaining fluids due to menopause also usually take water pills.
Because of being available OTC, it can be easy for some women who like to get rid of excess pounds to get their hands on them and have it popped in their mouths. While it’s true that water pills can make the bathroom scale budge, there are some things that a woman who wish to take them should know beforehand:
Only a Couple of Pounds Can be Lost
If you are thinking that a water pill can get you from 160 pounds to 100 pounds instantly, better think again. According to experts, you can lose only a couple of pounds when you take water pills. While it’s true that taking a water pill can make you fit into those tight pair of jeans, it’s not capable of considerably altering your weight.
The Effect is Temporary
Unlike opting for a healthy eating habit and exercising on a regular basis, the weight loss effect of consuming water pills is only a temporary thing. This only means that the couple of pounds you have lost will creep in once more as soon as you quit taking water pills and start drinking fluids.
You Can Wind Up Dehydrated
Because the kidneys are forced to flush out more water than usual, it’s not unlikely for you to become dehydrated. This is most especially true if you take high doses of water pills. Some of the telltale signs that your body is deprived of much-needed water are increased thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, weakness, headache and dizziness.
Electrolytes are Flushed Out
It’s not just water that you will lose when you consume high doses of water pills to make a few unwanted pounds go away, but also precious electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Because of this, it’s very much likely for you to experience heart palpitations, cramping of the muscles and mental fog, too.
You May Actually Pack More Weight
Time will come when your kidneys will stop responding to water pills. However, that’s not the only thing that is likely to happen — your kidneys may compensate, too, by refusing to let go of water. This can result in you packing more weight than when you started taking water pills, and bloating can bug you as well.
As you can see, the intake of water pills is not the ultimate weight loss solution. These pills cannot make you lose a significant amount of weight, and the couple of pounds that it can drive away will always come back the moment you quit taking them. What’s more, there are also some risks involved when you consume high doses of water pills. Clearly, still the best way to attain your dream figure is by exercising regularly and making smart food choices.
If you’re appalled by the fact that taking water pills is not the best way for you to slim down, have this article shared on social media to let everyone know that these pills are not the solution!
