Polydipsia, or excessive thirst, is often linked to diabetes in patients with poorly controlled or undiagnosed conditions. The kidneys produce excessive amounts of urine to get rid of blood sugar, causing dehydration and intense thirst. High blood sugar can develop in undiagnosed patients, leading to polydipsia. Blood glucose testing and dietary changes may be necessary to control the condition. Drinking water is recommended, while sugary drinks can worsen the problem. Thirst can also be associated with medications and other medical conditions.
Excessive thirst, called polydipsia, and diabetes may be linked in patients with poorly controlled or undiagnosed diabetic conditions, in which metabolic imbalances cause the patient to be extremely thirsty. In these patients, the kidneys produce excessive amounts of urine in an attempt to get rid of the blood sugar. This depletes the body of water, triggering feelings of dehydration and intense thirst. The medical term for frequent urination is polyuria; these symptoms usually appear together.
In undiagnosed patients, high blood sugar can develop because they are unaware that they are ill. Over time, the levels build up so high that the kidneys begin functioning at higher than normal levels in an attempt to get rid of the excess glucose. They produce large amounts of diluted urine with a high sugar content. The more the patient urinates, the more the patient needs to drink to keep the kidneys working. People with polydipsia and diabetes may drink large amounts of water every day and may experience extreme thirst when they haven’t had a drink for several hours.
Even patients diagnosed as having difficulty controlling their diabetes may develop frequent thirst. In this case, the connection between polydipsia and diabetes is a warning sign that these patients need to control the condition more effectively to prevent complications. Blood glucose testing can also reveal high blood sugar. It may be necessary to make some dietary changes, switch medications, or develop a new treatment plan if the patient adheres to a plan and the diabetes is still out of control.
Some patients may drink processed juices and other sugary drinks when experiencing polydipsia and diabetes. This can make the problem worse because it will increase the strain on the kidneys with more sugar in the diet. Water is a good choice for managing polydipsia and diabetes, and some patients may even find that they suck on ice cubes or eat refreshing fresh fruit as they work to keep their blood sugar in check.
The connection between polydipsia and diabetes doesn’t mean that everyone who is thirsty has diabetes. Thirst can also be associated with some medications and some other medical conditions beyond simple dehydration caused by working or exercising in the hot sun without drinking adequate water. People who drink a lot of water and urinate frequently without an obvious cause such as a known medical condition may wish to seek evaluation from a doctor to determine their next step.
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