Diabetes can go unnoticed for many years before the problem that triggers symptoms – high blood sugar levels – decides to raise red flags. Once symptoms do appear, they are often classed as general, leaving patients unaware that something is wrong, according to the NHS.
But knowing what to look for could be the first step in identifying the blood sugar condition. Therefore, symptom awareness is front and centre.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one warning sign can strike in your mouth. Diabetes UK explains that polydipsia is one of the most common” diabetes symptoms that targets “many people”.
Polydipsia, better known as excessive thirst, is one of the “initial” symptoms of the blood sugar condition, Diabetes.co.uk explains. While everyone gets thirsty from time to time, there are some tell-tale signs that could help you identify polydipsia.
Diabetes.co.uk states: “We all get thirsty at various times during the day. Adequate daily intake of water (several glasses) is very important as water is essential for many bodily functions, including regulating body temperature and removing waste.
“However, if you feel thirsty all the time or your thirst is stronger than usual and continues even after you drink, it can be a sign that not all is well inside your body.”
Another key sign that can accompany excessive thirst caused by diabetes is either temporary or prolonged dryness of the mouth.
Furthermore, polydipsia can’t be quenched by drinking plenty of liquids as this sign is “persistent and unexplained”.
Diabetes.co.uk also notes that patients with diabetes will also notice that they are passing more than five litres of urine a day.
Similarly to other diabetes symptoms, excessive thirst and peeing are both triggered by high blood sugar levels.
When you have untreated diabetes, your kidneys are forced to work harder to filter and absorb the extra blood sugar.
When the little organs reach a point when they can’t keep up, the excess glucose is excreted into your urine, dragging along fluids from your tissues, which makes you dehydrated.
This is a recipe for increased feelings of thirst. However, it’s important to note that other health problems, ranging from diarrhoea to sepsis, could also spur on this sign.
While polydipsia could ring alarm bells, this isn’t the only warning sign that can point to diabetes.
The CDC recommends looking out for the following red flags:
- Urinating (peeing) a lot (often at night)
- Being very thirsty
- Losing weight without trying
- Being very hungry
- Having blurry vision
- Having numb or tingling hands or feet
- Feeling very tired
- Having very dry skin
- Having sores that heal slowly
- Having more infections than usual.
If you experience any symptoms of diabetes, you should see your doctor, the health body adds.
