Some medications for fluid retention, such as furosemide, spironolactone or hydrochlorothiazide, have a diuretic action that helps increase the elimination of water through urine, reducing swelling in the legs, feet, hands, arms or face, for example.
These remedies are normally indicated in cases of fluid retention caused by health problems, such as high blood pressure, venous insufficiency, kidney or liver disease, and it is also recommended to reduce salt consumption in the diet and practice physical activities regularly, to help reduce the swelling.
Read too: Fluid retention: what it is, symptoms, causes and what to do
Treatment for fluid retention must be carried out with advice from a cardiologist, nephrologist or hepatologist, who can recommend the best medicine, with individualized doses and according to the condition to be treated.
6 remedies for fluid retention
The main remedies for fluid retention are:
1. Furosemide
Furosemide is a medicine normally indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure, but it can also be used to treat swelling caused by heart, kidney, liver problems or severe burns.
This medicine acts on a specific part of the kidneys, called the loop of Henle, increasing the elimination of sodium, water and chlorine by the kidneys, which are eliminated in the urine, reducing fluid retention and swelling.
Furosemide can be provided free of charge by the SUS, or purchased in pharmacies or drugstores as a generic or under the brand name Lasix. Learn how to use furosemide correctly.
Read too: High blood pressure medicine: 10 most used types
2. Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a remedy for fluid retention indicated in cases of swelling caused by an abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid inside the abdomen, called ascites, due to congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome, or swelling of unknown cause.
This medicine is a potassium-sparing diuretic and may be indicated for people who have an increased risk of having low potassium in their blood, and for the treatment of high blood pressure.
Spironolactone can be found in pharmacies or drugstores under the names Aldactone or Diacqua, and is also supplied by the SUS. See how to take spironolactone.
Read too: Diuretics: what they are, types and when not to use
3. Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide is another diuretic that may be recommended by your doctor for fluid retention caused by health problems, such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis or chronic kidney disease.
Furthermore, this remedy may be indicated to reduce swelling caused by the use of corticosteroid or estrogen medications. See other indications for hydrochlorothiazide and how to take it.
Hydrochlorothiazide works by increasing the elimination of salt and water in the urine, and can be provided free of charge by the SUS or can be purchased in pharmacies or drugstores under the names Clorana, Clorus or Diurix.
4. Chlorthalidona
Chlorthalidone is a diuretic remedy for fluid retention caused by chronic peripheral venous insufficiency when regular physical exercise was not enough to reduce swelling.
This remedy can also be indicated for swelling caused by liver cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome, for example. Understand what nephrotic syndrome is.
Chlorthalidone can be found in tablet form, as a generic, and should only be used under medical advice.
Read too: 5 diuretic remedies to reduce swelling (and how to use them)
5. Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine is a medicine indicated for the treatment of hypothyroidism as it replaces thyroid hormones, which when low levels can cause fluid retention and other symptoms such as weight gain, tiredness or dry skin.
This medicine must be used with the recommendation of an endocrinologist and is found in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of tablets, and can also be provided free of charge by the SUS. Find out how to take levothyroxine.
6. Diosmina e hesperidina
Diosmin and hesperidin is a remedy indicated for fluid retention caused by chronic venous insufficiency, helping to relieve swelling in the legs and other symptoms, such as a feeling of heaviness or pain in the legs.
This remedy works by reducing dilation and increasing the tone of blood vessels, improving microcirculation, increasing lymphatic drainage and the number of functional lymphatic vessels and, thus, promoting greater elimination of liquids.
Diosmin and hesperidin can be found under the trade names Daflon, Diosmin, Venaflon, Flavenos, Perivasc, Velunid or Flavonid, for example, and should be used with the advice of a cardiologist or angiologist.
Read too: 11 natural ways to treat swollen legs
Natural remedies for fluid retention
Natural remedies for fluid retention, such as horsetail tea or parsley tea, have a diuretic action, which helps eliminate swelling and can be used to complement the treatment recommended by your doctor. See other options and how to prepare diuretic teas.
Furthermore, other natural ways to end fluid retention are to avoid consuming excessive salt, practice physical activity regularly and increase water consumption, for example.
Read too: 5 ways to get rid of fluid retention and reduce swelling
It is also important to have a balanced, nutritious and healthy diet, including foods with diuretic properties, such as cucumber, chayote, melon or watermelon, as they are rich in water, which helps to increase urine production and reduce fluid retention. Check out the complete list of diuretic foods.
