Different Types Of Diuretics, How They Work In The Body Diuretics are therapeutic medications effective in increasing the

output of urine and the frequency of urination. In terms of diuretics working mechanism, they are called water pills. Diuretic drugs act by making the kidneys increase sodium amount in the urine. While sodium concentration raises, more water can be absorbed from the blood, and this decreases the pressure on the blood vessels walls. The process taking place in the body after taking diuretic drugs is the following: it helps the blood vessels to relax. Diuretic medicines are taken to treat different health problems including hypertension, edema (water retention), kidney disorders, liver cirrhosis, glaucoma. The forms of diuretic drugs which work effectively are a great number, in which the mostly used are osmotic diuretics, loop diuretics, potassium sparing diuretics and thiazides. The ingredients and formulations of the diuretics differ from each other. Depending on the contents concentration, different diuretics work differently. More precisely, possible adverse effects as well as precautions of diuretics are different for various types. Loop diuretics act on the loop of Henle of kidneys, thus lowering the absorption of chloride and sodium. This process disturbs such ions absorption as calcium and magnesium leading to an increased and dilute production of urine. Thereby, loop diuretic drugs reduce the content of fluid in the blood and besides enhance renal blood circulation. Thiazides are moderately potent water pills. Mostly doctors prescribe particular dose of thiazides to fight the first signs of hypertension, pulmonary edema which means water retention in lungs and several heart disorders. They affect the kidney distal convoluted tubule so that to improve the production of urine. Osmotic diuretics are composed in such a mode so that the levels of blood sugar can increase temporarily. Thus the concentration of blood sugar is higher than the level which the kidneys are able to absorb. The overall process speeds water absorption by the kidneys provoking an increased urination. Potassium sparing water pills raise urine production, in such a way lowering potassium concentration which is lost in the urine. Potassium represents one of the most important electrolytes necessary to normalize blood pressure and maintain the health of your heart. Potassium level in the body gets balanced by raising sodium concentration that is excreted in the body urine. What is it? PSGN (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis) is a kidney disease that occurs 10 to 14 days after a throat or skin infection caused by Streptococcus (a type of bacteria). What causes it? PSGN is not caused by the streptococcal bacteria directly, but by your child's infection-fighting (immune) system. When your child's body tries to fight an infection, it makes antibodies. Antibodies are the part of the infection-fighting (immune) system used to identify bacteria so they can be destroyed. Usually the dead bacteria (in this case the Streptococci) and antibodies are cleared from the child's body without any problems. However, in PSGN they become trapped in the filters of the kidneys called the glomerulus. This causes inflammation, which makes it harder for the filters of the kidneys to make urine (wee) and get rid of (excrete) waste. How infectious is it? You can not catch PSGN as it is caused by the bodys own infection -fighting (immune) system. However, streptococcal infections (either from the skin or throat) can be spread from person to person. What are the signs and symptoms? These can be varied. Some children may have no symptoms, or they may have: blood in their urine (haematuria). This may be visible (macroscopic) or only picked up when the urine is tested (microscopic) swelling (oedema) - fluid accumulates in the tissues and can cause puffiness around the eyes or the ankles less urine output (oliguria) high blood pressure (hypertension) protein in the urine (proteinuria) increasing tiredness

How is it diagnosed? PSGN is diagnosed based on your childs signs and symptoms and certain lab tests. Your doctor will check your childs urine for protein and blood. Your child will also get a blood test to check their kidney function and check for a previous streptococcal infection. The doctor may also check for other things in the blood in order to rule out other conditions and different causes of glomerulonephritis. What treatment is available or may be required?

PSGN resolves on its own, so treatment is based around relieving symptoms and trying to prevent complications. Your child may need to be on restricted fluid and salt intake. They may be given medicine to bring their blood pressure down (antihypertensive) or medicine to encourage the kidneys to get rid of salt and water (diuretics). Your child may also be given antibiotics to kill any streptococcal bacteria left in their body. How long could it last? Most children make a full recovery within a few weeks. The visible blood in the urine is usually gone in two weeks and the high blood pressure comes down in about four weeks. The microscopic blood and protein in the urine may last for up to two years, but this won't be visible and won't cause your child any problems. What follow-up is required? Your child will continue to have their blood pressure, weight and urine checked once theyve left hospital. Once this follow -up has finished it is important that you return to your GP (general practitioner) if you notice any of the signs and symptoms recurring. If at any stage you have concerns about your childs health dont hesitate to seek medical advice. What are the potential complications? Most children make a complete recovery. However, for a small number of children the disease will continue and for an even smaller number of children the disease may get worse. The main things your doctor will look out for are: ongoing high blood pressure (hypertension) poor kidney function prolonged loss of protein in the urine (proteinuria) which may not cause obvious symptoms headaches and seizures

How can I care for my child at home? It is important you make sure your child takes any medicine they get sent home with. It is also important you take your child to their follow-up appointments where they will get their blood pressure, weight and urine checked. How can this be prevented? If streptococcal skin or throat infections are picked up early they can be treated with antibiotics, which may prevent the development of PSGN. Neuropathy is a collection of disorders that occurs when nerves of the peripheral nervous system (the part of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord) are damaged. The condition is generally referred to as peripheral neuropathy, and it is most commonly due to damage to nerve axons. Neuropathy usually causes pain and numbness in the hands and feet. It can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic disorders, and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes. Prostaglandins are a group of lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from fatty acids and have important functions in the animal body. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring. They are mediators and have a variety of strong physiological effects, such as regulating the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle tissue.[1] Prostaglandins are not endocrine hormones, but autocrine or paracrine, which are locally acting messenger molecules. They differ from hormones in that they are not produced at a discrete site but in many places throughout the human body. Also, their target cells are present in the immediate vicinity of the site of their secretion (of which there are many). In the kidney, the loop of Henle (or Henle's loop or ansa nephroni) is the portion of a nephron that leads from the proximal convoluted tubule to the distal convoluted tubule. Named after its discoverer F. G. J. Henle, the loop of Henle's main function is to create a concentration gradient in the medulla of the kidney.[1] By means of a countercurrent multiplier system, which utilizes electrolyte pumps, the loop of Henle creates an area of high urine concentration deep in the medulla, near the collecting duct. Water present in the filtrate in the collecting duct flows through aquaporin channels out of the collecting duct, moving passively down its concentration gradient. This process reabsorbs water and creates a concentrated urine for excretion