Diuretics and Insomnia: All-Too-Common Bedfellows
Use of certain prescription medications can sometimes cause insomnia; or difficulty in sleeping and/or staying asleep. Although the drug is prescribed for a specific medical condition, it may have unintended and unavoidable side effects. One such class of medications that may cause insomnia are diuretics.
What Is A Diuretic?
To understand the connection between diuretics and insomnia it is important to know what a diuretic is. A diuretic is a substance or medication that increases urinary output. There are many kinds of prescription diuretics, but the generic drug hydrochlorothiazide, often abbreviated HCTZ and sold under brand names such as Esidrix, Carozide, HydroDIURIL or Diaqua, is one of the most commonly prescribed diuretics in the US.
A diuretic can also be part of an individual’s daily dietary intake. Sometimes an individual consumes a food or beverage without knowing it may have diuretic effects. Three common diuretic beverages consumed daily by many are coffee, tea and alcohol. We already know that the caffeine in coffee and tea, and the stimulant effects of alcohol, can disrupt sleep. But what do these drinks have in common with thiazide diuretics and insomnia? Plenty, as we shall see.
The Link Between Diuretics And Insomnia
Whether an individual takes a prescribed diuretic or ingests substances classified as diuretics, the effects are the same: The frequent need to urinate, especially during the night, can disrupt sleep and may lead to insomnia. Because they are so commonly prescribed, thiazide diuretics and insomnia are often linked. Additionally, using diuretics can increase thirst. It can be hard to sleep when you are thirsty. When it comes to diuretics and insomnia, doctors often advise patients who take diuretics to take them in the morning in the hope of avoiding sleepless nights. Unfortunately, this may not always work.
Why Use Diuretics, Anyway?
Diuretics are prescribed to minimize the accumulation of excess fluids within one’s body by increasing the frequency of urination. In fact, diuretics are often referred to as “water pills”. Two medical conditions that use diuretics as part of a prescription drug treatment program are high blood pressure (hypertension) and congestive heart failure.
As part of the aging process, the heart begins to weaken. As the heart weakens, there is a corresponding buildup of fluid within the body, creating congestion. Blood vessels become narrow and less elastic, leading to a rise in blood pressure. Both these conditions place great strain on the heart to pump. By using drugs such as the thiazide diuretics the body is stimulated to expel excess salt and fluids via the kidneys, increasing the output of urine. This in turn decreases the fluid buildup within the body. In many cases this decrease in fluid accumulation also relaxes blood vessels, reducing the strain on your circulation and lowering blood pressure.
Diuretics have also been used in over-the-counter weight loss drugs. Losing all that “water” may help you feel and look pounds lighter; but the effect is temporary. This use of diuretics is not recommended.
