The course of some diseases is accompanied by a strong thirst, which is almost impossible to satisfy. Polydipsia is a condition in which the amount of fluid consumed per day significantly exceeds the norm for a healthy person.
The concept
A feature of this disorder is that thirst torments almost constantly. A person is thirsty all the time and can drink up to 20 liters of water per day. But this volume of fluid does not always help to cope with thirst.
Polydipsia is not an independent disease, but a sign that a pathological process is taking place in the body. As a rule, with successful treatment, the feeling of extreme thirst becomes less pronounced or disappears altogether.
Causes
But not always polydipsia is a symptom that indicates a dangerous disease.
Doctors divide it into 2 types:
- physiological;
- pathological.
In the first case, the causes of polydipsia can be:
- unbalanced diet, which is dominated by fatty, smoked, spicy and sweet dishes;
- high intensity of physical activity, especially if classes are held at high air temperature;
- III trimester of pregnancy.
The thirst caused by these conditions is easily quenched with plenty of water and does not bother constantly. It does not require treatment and passes on its own.
Pathological polydipsia can be:
- Primary. Its other name is psychogenic. It is associated with disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, which led to the activation of the drinking center in the brain.
- Secondary. It is also called neurogenic. The mechanism for the development of a symptom directly depends on the disease that caused it.
Primary polydipsia, as a rule, is a companion of the following diseases:
- neurosis;
- schizophrenia;
- hypothalamic syndrome.
Secondary polydipsia is a consequence of dehydration and changes in blood composition. It can be caused by the following pathologies:
- diabetes and diabetes insipidus;
- kidney and liver diseases;
- high blood sodium;
- hyperparathyroidism, leading to an increase in the level of calcium in the fluid connective tissue;
- disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system and organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition, the likelihood of polydipsia increases significantly with the use of certain drugs (the occurrence of possible side effects must be known in advance from your doctor).
Symptoms and related indicators
The first sign of polydipsia is intense thirst. At the same time, the volumes of water used may differ from normal indicators both insignificantly and significantly. For example, with edema and disorders of the stool, a person can drink up to 3 liters of fluid per day, and with diabetes insipidus - 20 liters or more.
In some situations, the severity of polydipsia may vary depending on the following factors:
- diet
- intensity of physical activity;
- air temperature.
In other cases (for example, with diabetes), it does not give in to environmental conditions and changes only under the influence of treatment.
Polydipsia is a symptom inextricably linked to polyuria. Increased urination, coupled with an unbearable thirst, are usually signs of diabetes. A great need for fluid is associated with an increased level of glucose in the blood, dehydration and accumulation of waste products. Under the influence of these factors, the work of the sebaceous glands deteriorates, due to which the mucous membrane of the oral cavity dries up.
According to statistics, people suffering from diabetes need a volume of fluid that is 2-3 times higher than normal. Increased urination is a consequence of increased levels of the hormone responsible for diuresis. Diabetes insipidus is also accompanied by polyuria and intense thirst.
Pronounced symptoms have kidney pathologies. In addition to dry mouth, the process of urination is disturbed, severe swelling appears.
Diagnostics
Polydipsia is one of the first signs of the disease. That is why this symptom is given a very great diagnostic value.
The doctor at the initial examination may prescribe the following studies:
- general and biochemical blood analysis;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and thyroid gland;
- calculation of daily diuresis;
- blood test for hormones;
- general urine test.
If polyuria is observed simultaneously with polydipsia, the density of the biomaterial is determined in the laboratory and the sugar level is determined. This is necessary to confirm or exclude diabetes.
If the sugar concentration is normal and the relative density of urine is low, a test is performed using drugs containing vasopressin - an antidiuretic hormone. With a positive result, the patient is severely limited by the amount of fluid consumed for several hours (no longer than six). After this, a study of the density of all urine obtained during this period is carried out. If it is within normal limits, we are talking about primary polydipsia, if not, diabetes is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus resulting from a lack of vasopressin.
If a test with antidiuretic hormone gives a negative result, blood and urine are examined for their calcium and potassium content. Blood pressure is also measured. If it and the level of calcium are high, we are talking about kidney pathologies. If both the pressure and the level of the test substances are normal or slightly deviated from it, diabetes is also diagnosed as a result of the congenital immunity of the renal tubules to vasopressin.
The choice of necessary studies depends on the severity of polydipsia and the presence of other symptoms. For example, if a patient consumes more than 10 liters of water per day, a test with vasopressin is performed immediately.
Treatment
The treatment regimen is drawn up only after an accurate diagnosis is made. For example, if type 1 diabetes is confirmed, insulin is indicated, and for type 2 diabetes, the patient must first take medications whose action is to increase its susceptibility to body cells. If a non-sugar type of the disease is diagnosed, the doctor prescribes drugs that are substitutes for vasopressin.
Thus, in order to get rid of intense thirst, it is necessary to eliminate its true cause. If polydipsia with diabetes appears, it is necessary to compensate for it. Correct diagnosis and a well-designed treatment regimen are the key to a speedy normalization of the condition.
Forecast
If the condition has a pronounced character, this can provoke the appearance of violations of the water-electrolyte balance. Natural results are edema and convulsive syndrome.
Timely detection of polydipsia and treatment of the underlying disease guarantee a positive prognosis up to the complete elimination of a constant feeling of intense thirst. In some cases, medicines will have to be taken all my life.
Who to contact?
If there is a suspicion of polydipsia, which is permanent, you must go to an appointment with a therapist. He will prescribe the necessary tests and, according to their results, will refer them to narrow specialists - a urologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist, etc.
Finally
Polydipsia is the first sign of many diseases, but, as a rule, it indicates diabetes. With a significant increase in daily fluid intake, you should immediately contact your doctor and pass the necessary tests.