Polydipsia

Polydipsia is characterized by extreme and excessive thirst (all the time or persistent dry mouth). This is usually related to the kidney system and can cause a person to urinate more often than normal. When the body releases too much fluid through urine, sweat, using diuretics, or consuming foods high in salt, the body feels the need to replace the lost fluid.

In diabetes, polydipsia is one of the three common symptoms. This chronic disease requires the body to quickly balance excess glucose in the blood. The way to do this is with extra help from the kidneys to excrete more urine. As a result, blood sugar levels can return to normal, but in the end, excessive thirst occurs.

Polydipsia is characterized by extreme thirst.

Polyuria

Polyuria is characterized by excessive urination. In healthy people, urine output per day is 1 to 2 liters, but in people with polyuria, urine production can reach 3 liters per day. When glucose accumulates in the blood, it can enter the kidney tubules. However, when this glucose cannot be reabsorbed into the blood, the kidneys must try to filter it out.

While this effort is taking place, the kidneys will also filter more water from inside the body, resulting in increased urine production. Polyuria is closely related to polydipsia because both can appear at the same time. When a person feels very thirsty, they drink more, causing increased urination. Conversely, when a person urinates more, the body becomes dehydrated, leading to increased thirst.

Polyuria is characterized by excessive urination.

Polyphagia

Polyphagia is characterized by excessive hunger. In healthy people, appetite increases as a result of high physical activity or hormonal changes. This kind of hunger usually disappears after consuming food. However, in cases of polyphagia, eating does not stop the hunger.

People with diabetes mellitus experience excessive hunger because glucose from food cannot enter the cells to be used as energy. As a result, the body continues to send signals to the brain that it is hungry, even after consuming food.

The 3 Ps Are Not Enough to Diagnose Diabetes

Polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia are good indicators of high blood sugar levels, but these three symptoms may be less visible or even absent in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, other tests are needed to confirm diabetes, such as:

1. HbA1C Examination

This test looks at blood markers that give an average blood glucose level over the last 2 to 3 months. A result of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.

2. Fasting Blood Sugar Check

After fasting overnight, blood is taken to determine if blood sugar is still high without any food being introduced into the body. A value of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

3. Glucose Tolerance Test

After fasting overnight, blood sugar is checked before and 2 hours after drinking a glucose-containing fluid. A value of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

4. Random Blood Sugar Check

Blood sugar is checked at any time without fasting. A value of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

Although recognizing these three signs is important, the final diagnosis of diabetes must involve medical professionals. If in doubt, you can try consulting a doctor at Fitie first!