Diabetes often goes unnoticed, especially in its early stages. One important symptom to watch out for is frequent thirst. If you find yourself constantly thirsty and experiencing a dry mouth, it might be time to check your blood sugar levels.

What causes people with diabetes to frequently feel thirsty, and is there a way to manage it? Find out in this article.

Why do people with diabetes often feel thirsty?

A common symptom among people with diabetes is frequent thirst, known as polydipsia. This is usually accompanied by excessive urination, or polyuria.

According to Medical News Today, different types of diabetes can cause excessive thirst in different ways:

Diabetes type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes 

Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes

• Type 1 Diabetes: This condition occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin.
• Type 2 Diabetes: In this case, the body produces insulin, but it doesn’t work effectively.

With diabetes, blood sugar levels rise above normal. High blood sugar forces the kidneys to work harder to eliminate the excess sugar, leading to frequent urination. This process depletes the body of water, making you feel extremely thirsty.

Gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, can also cause excessive thirst. This usually subsides after childbirth.

Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes insipidus, despite its name, is unrelated to blood sugar levels. It is a rare condition that affects the kidneys and hormones, preventing the body from maintaining fluid balance.

People with diabetes insipidus have excessive urination, up to 20 liters per day. This loss of fluids causes constant thirst and fatigue.

Symptoms of diabetes to watch for

Diabetes rarely causes symptoms, especially in its early stages. Many people learn they have diabetes during routine health checks. That is why the American Diabetes Association recommends that adults begin screening for diabetes at the age of 35.

If you have other risk factors, such as a family history of diabetes or obesity, you should get screened before the age of 35.

Diabetes can sometimes go undetected until it becomes severe. Look out for the following signs:

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unusual fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Sudden weight loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes such as adjusting your diet, increasing physical activity, or exercising on a regular basis. Medications may also be prescribed to help regulate blood sugar levels. Undiagnosed diabetes can cause uncontrolled blood sugar levels and increase the risk of complications.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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