Is it normal to be thirsty all the time

Overheating is one of the biggest causes of dehydration. When you exercise, your muscles generate heat. To keep from burning up, your body needs to get rid of that heat. The main way the body discards heat in warm weather is through sweat. As sweat evaporates, it cools the tissues beneath.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, to avoid dehydration, active people should drink at least 16 to 20 ounces of fluid one to two hours before an outdoor activity. After that, you should consume 6 to 12 ounces of fluid every 10 to 15 minutes that you are outside.

When you are finished with the activity, you should drink more. How much more? To replace what you have lost: at least another 16 to 24 ounces 2 to 3 cups. One way to make sure you are properly hydrated is to check your urine. Certain foods are also great at helping you stay hydrated thanks to being heavy on water content. And many have added benefits of including other essential nutrients your body needs. Drinking water is one of the best ways to stay hydrated but some sports drinks can also assist in replacing not just fluids but electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.

But try to avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and sodas, as these fluids tend to pull water from the body and promote dehydration. Anyone who develops extreme thirst without a known cause should see a doctor because it may be a sign of diabetes. If the person has not already measured how much fluid they are drinking each day and how much urine they are producing, the doctor might ask them to do this.

A person can work out how much fluid they are drinking by starting the day with a measured container of water and then drinking only from that container, refilling it throughout the day and noting how much fluid they drink in 24 hours. They should also factor in any other liquid, such as fruit juice and coffee , that they consume within the period.

If the person already has a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, they should check their blood sugar levels first. They may be able to resolve slightly high glucose levels by doing some exercise or taking insulin, if appropriate. If the thirst persists or gets worse, they should see a doctor.

It could indicate that they need treatment for DKA, or they may need to adjust their treatment plan. Keeping a record of the extent of the thirst, fluid intake, and blood sugar levels can help the doctor decide what to do next.

The doctor may order blood and urine tests to check blood sugar levels and help identify the cause of the symptoms. Some drugs may cause or worsen polydipsia and polyuria. For this reason, people should take a list of all of their current medications with them when they visit the doctor. The main aim of treatment will be to keep blood sugar levels within a specific target range. A person with type 1 diabetes will need to use insulin. In the case of type 2 diabetes, most people will start by using lifestyle measures, such as changes to their diet and exercise regimen, to manage their blood glucose.

The person may need treatment in the hospital to replace lost fluid and electrolytes. This treatment may include intravenous insulin and rehydration fluids.

The doctor will advise the person to consume enough water to prevent dehydration, and they may also prescribe medications, such as desmopressin, which is a synthetic form of vasopressin. Counseling can help a person become aware of how much fluid they are drinking and adjust their intake, if necessary.

Early recognition and treatment of polydipsia can lead to a diagnosis of diabetes or another health problem. Whatever the cause, it is usually possible to resolve polydipsia with treatment. However, if this symptom is an early indication of diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus, the person may need treatment for life. Dark-colored urine and thirst are classic signs that someone is dehydrated.

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