Constant thirst

[DiaShel]

Does anyone else have this problem?

I'm thirsty all the time. The only thing I drink is water. I don't have much excessive salt in my diet. I go through several liters of water a day. I'm very active but even when I'm not this is still the case. It's a problem because I go to the bathroom about every hour. I get up from bed several times a night. I try not to drink throughout the night but I wake every morning dying of thirst. If I don't think enough (still more then most people) I'm very light headed. My only medical condition is hypotension which my doctor says it's important to eat regularly and drink enough water to not get so lightheaded when I stand up, but I don't think this would cause thirst. :confused:

Just wondering if anyone else is like this and if it's just a normal variation on the amount of water a person needs. I started drink a lot when I was working on getting healthy, maybe my body is just used to it and demands it now.

[Daffodil]

have u been tested for diabetes?

[Marrers]

I can go almost the whole day without anything to drink, or with just one cup of coffee in the morning, and without feeling thirsty but I drink tons at night. I think for me it is just a habit I've got in to but I do feel desperately thirsty during this time.

As Daffodil says you should get checked for diabetes just to rule that out.

[*live*&*let*live]

MMmmh diabetes was my thoughts exactly when I read the thread title. Also, don't want to alarm you but did you know you can drink too much water? It affects your electrolyte balance which can give you problems with your kidneys. This is unlikely as the kidneys can flush out a lot of water a day. Water intoxication is when you drink too much, too quickly and that is also uncommon but it is worth seeing your GP. 7 litres a day is a lot but I don't think too much, I think its about 15 litres the kidneys can handle but don't quote me on that. I mention it as it's common in atheletes and you seem to be pretty athletic to me! :D

[DiaShel]

Nah, I couldn't have diabetes. It's not in my family and I don't eat much sugar. Although, something about my sugar levels showed up on a blood test once, but they thought it was a mistake so they redid the test and it was fine.

I don't drink 7 liters a day LLL. Maybe you misread several (something I'd do :p).

Marrers, I know people like you that don't seem to ever drink water. I just don't get it!

That's for the feedback.

[DiaShel]

I just looked at the warning signs for diabetes:

Take a look at these eight diabetes symptoms, if you spot two or more of them, you should seriously consider getting checked for diabetes.



Occasional blurry vision. Eye problems due to untreated diabetes can lead to blindness. Any serious vision related problems (diabetes related or not) are a reason to see a doctor immediately.
Slow healing cuts or sores. This happens often on the feet.
A lack of energy, feeling lethargic and tired all the time.
If you experience sudden weight loss. You may be eating foods that make diabetes symptoms worse and be hungry and eating all the time while still losing weight.
Excessive thirst. Even when you have not been working your body hard or it is not warm.
Dry mouth. Cotton mouth. Your mouth feels dry even after having a drink.
Frequent urination.
Excessive itching or soreness in the genitals. Yeast infections. Thrush or a diagnosis of thrush (mistaken) may be a sign of diabetes.

http://www.signs-symptoms-of-diabetes.info/how-to-tell-if-you-have-diabetes/eight-warning-signs-of-diabetes-symptoms.html

I do have two, but the thirst and urination go together. I'm only urinating a lot because I'm thirsty and drinking a lot.

[Mahk]

I'd see a doctor.

[Jiffy]

I'd see a doctor.

+1

It might me nothing to worry about, maybe you are just a thirsty person. I'm like Marrers, I can even go out on my bike and only have a few sips from the water bottle on a three hour ride, unless it's really hot.

[Mr Flibble]

At least you know that you don't have rabies :)

[fiamma]

Nah, I couldn't have diabetes. It's not in my family and I don't eat much sugar.

I'm no expert on diabetes, but I wouldn't say this doesn't mean you don't have it; please go and get checked out. In the UK you can get your glucose levels checked at a pharmacy, but please go and see a doctor.

[fiamma]

I can go almost the whole day without anything to drink, or with just one cup of coffee in the morning, and without feeling thirsty but I drink tons at night. I think for me it is just a habit I've got in to but I do feel desperately thirsty during this time.


I'm the same, but just because your body isn't telling you to drink doesn't mean you don't need to - quite the opposite. Everybody should be drinking at least 1 and a half litres of water/ 8-10 glasses a day.

[cobweb]

I think you should get checked out, Dia, type 1 Diabetes has nothing to do with how much sugar you eat.

On the other side of the coin i am also a VERY thirsty person, i drink several litres of water every day, and if i don't i get massive headaches. My son is the same. We have both been tested for Diabetes, by the way, the results were negative.

[cobweb]

Also want to add to what was said about electrolytes - you might actually find you need a bit MORE salt, which will help you retain fluid better. There's an excellent book about it, i will try to remember the name of it!.

[cedarblue]

coconut water contains electolytes.

i am not a thirsty person and have to force myself to drink every day - if i don't i get headaches and a hot, fuzzy face during the night.

please go to the doctor diashel - they should be able to diagnose you efficiently - my in-laws are great 'google the symptoms' people - they then come up with all sorts of weird diagnoses of illness they think they have.

[DiaShel]

Sigh, I was afraid you'd all say to see a doctor. I don't have insurance :undecided: I would like to go and just get completely checked out. Maybe I'll try and save up.

[fiamma]

Do you know anyone with diabetes that has a gluco-test kit? You could test your fasting glucose level, but I'd be really wary of self-diagnosis in a case like this. How much is it to see a doctor where you are, just out of curiosity?

[DiaShel]

An office visit is a couple hundred and blood work would be another couple hundred.

[jimmeh]

Sigh, I was afraid you'd all say to see a doctor. I don't have insurance :undecided: I would like to go and just get completely checked out. Maybe I'll try and save up.

I find it really frightening that you guys have to pay to see a doctor. Poor people get sick too :(

[DiaShel]

Well their are plenty of government insurance programs out there for people that fall under a certain income. Most of my patients have medicare or something like it and don't even have a co-pay.

[fiamma]

An office visit is a couple hundred and blood work would be another couple hundred.

:amazed_ani:

[Cherry.Chops]

i have diabetes and my main symptom was drinking and peeing alot. i used to drink about 5Lduring the working day and regually get up at nighttodrink. Do you feel tired and weak?

If you buy a bloodsugar testing kit (which are fairly cheap) and some ketone sticks, then you can test and monitor yourself.

Best of luck

[DiaShel]

^ No, I don't feel tired and weak. I would have no idea what to do with a blood testing kit, I suppose there are directions though.

[Jiffy]

Just a thought, but don't some pharmacies do tests? Might be a good compromise between the expense of trip to the Docs and the struggle of trying to DIY.

[DavidT]

Is it maybe diet? Certain foods can make you thirsty, such as beans and fibrous stuff.

[mjnewbould]

Diabetes 1 is not inherited in most cases but there is a complex relationship between genes and other factors - such as viral infections (diabetes 2 is always inherited) and it has absolutely nothing to do with eating sugar! It is a fatal serious illness if untreated - I realise that there is nothing to suggest that you have it DiaShel - but just to say this in case its important for anyone to know.