Generally, anyone becomes thirsty after an arduous workout or coming back from a hot sunny afternoon, or in a high-salt diet. This type of thirst does not stay for long and can be quenched with a normal amount of fluids. However, in polydipsia, the body feels thirsty all the time, and depending on the cause, it can last for days, weeks, or sometimes for more extended periods. Polydipsia, in most cases, is followed by polyuria, a condition where the body feels the need to urinate frequently.
In polyuria, a person urinates at least 3 liters or more in less than 24 hours. Polydipsia and polyuria, along with polyphagia, are the three big signs of diabetes mellitus. Polyphagia is the condition of increased appetite. Although polydipsia and polyuria come as a pair, polyphagia is difficult to identify.
Therefore, if someone sees all the three signs together, it is advisable to check your blood sugar levels with a glucometer. The most associated cause of polydipsia is loss of excess body fluids or dehydration. When you do a strenuous workout, or eat salty foods, or even during summers, the body loses a lot of fluids. If you alternate your fluids with drinks such as black tea or coffee, the body is not able to replace the fluids in the body and therefore feels thirsty.
Other common reasons for polydipsia are diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus. Unlike diabetes mellitus in which the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, diabetes insipidus is a condition where the kidneys are not able to store enough water.
As mentioned above, polydipsia in diabetes is a common phenomenon. When the sugar level in the bloodstream becomes excessively concentrated, the kidney is unable to pull out the glucose from water. In typical cases, most of the glucose and water are taken out of the urine and sent back into the body. As the body is no longer able to reuptake the glucose, the osmotic pressure builds up. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Health Topics. Health Tools. By Dr. Sanjay Gupta For Paging Dr. Reviewed: October 17, Excessive thirst, or polydipsia, can be triggered by different factors such as eating too much salt or taking medications that cause dry mouth. This occurs when your blood glucose is too high, as your kidneys pull water…. When you have excessive thirst, it usually continues after you drink and may even cause blurred vision and fatigue.
If you drink a ton of fluid in…. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are complex and range from genetic to environmental to lifestyle choices. Learn more. My diagnosis was a wake-up call. It was time to take care of my health. Learn more about its symptoms, causes, and treatment. I learned that the best type 2 diabetes diet is the one that works for you. Members of the T2D Healthline community understand well how managing diabetes can feel overwhelming. These 6 tips can help make it easier. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.
Type 2 Diabetes. Polydipsia Excessive Thirst. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Polydipsia is a medical name for the feeling of extreme thirstiness. What causes polydipsia? Types of polydipsia. Outlook and prevention. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M. What to Know About Diabetes and Dehydration. Medically reviewed by Michelle L. Griffith, MD.
0コメント