The three main symptoms of diabetes in Sinhala

Have you heard of the three main symptoms of diabetes? These are Polydipsia, Polyuria, and Polyphagia . Simply put, these are excessive thirst , frequent urination , and excessive eating . These three symptoms often occur together. And these can be called the main symptoms of diabetes .

Simply put, these three main characteristics are:

• Polydipsia: Excessive thirst. Feeling like you need to drink water all the time.
• Polyuria: The need to urinate frequently. More urine than normal is passed.
• Polyphagia: The desire to eat excessively. Feeling hungry all the time.

In this article, I will explain these three symptoms in detail. I will also tell you how to recognize them, how to treat them, and when to see a doctor.

Polydipsia - excessive thirst

Polydipsia is the feeling of excessive thirst. If you are constantly thirsty for water, or if your mouth feels dry all the time, you may have polydipsia.

In diabetics, this condition is caused by high blood glucose levels . When blood glucose levels rise, your kidneys have to produce more urine. Do you know why? To get rid of that excess glucose from your body.

Meanwhile, because your body is losing a lot of water, your brain is telling you to "drink more water." That's why people with diabetes feel thirsty all the time.

These things can also cause you to feel thirsty all the time:

• Dehydration : Lack of water in the body.
• Osmotic Diuresis : This is when glucose builds up in the kidney tubules and cannot be reabsorbed back into the body. This causes an increase in the amount of water inside the tubules.
• Mental Health Issues: For example, a mental condition called Psychogenic Polydipsia.

Polyuria - frequent urination

Polyuria is the excessive urination. A normal person urinates about 1-2 liters per day (1 liter is about 4 cups). However, people with polyuria urinate more than 3 liters per day.

When blood glucose levels rise, the body tries to get rid of this excess glucose through urine. This causes your kidneys to filter out more water. That's why you feel the need to urinate more often.

Abnormal urination can also occur for reasons other than diabetes. Possible causes include:

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes Insipidus: This is a disease like diabetes, but in this case, the kidneys are unable to control water.
• Kidney Disease
• Increased calcium levels in the blood (Hypercalcemia)
• Mental Health Issues: For example, a mental condition called Psychogenic Polydipsia.
• Medications like diuretics

Polyphagia - excessive hunger

Polyphagia is the feeling of excessive hunger. We all feel hungry at times, such as after exercising or after going without eating for a while. But sometimes it can be a sign of illness.

In diabetics, glucose cannot enter the cells. This is because either the body does not have enough insulin, or the insulin does not work properly (Insulin Resistance). Since your body cannot use this glucose for energy, you feel hungry all the time.

A person with polyphagia does not feel hungry even if they eat. In fact, if people with uncontrolled diabetes eat a lot, their blood glucose levels can increase even more.

There are other things that can cause polyphagia. For example:

• Overactive thyroid gland ( Hyperthyroidism )
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Stress
• Some medications, such as corticosteroids

Diagnosis

The three main symptoms of diabetes, namely polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia, do not always occur together. Also, while these symptoms can be seen early in Type 1 Diabetes , they are not seen so early in Type 2 Diabetes .

These three symptoms can indicate that your blood glucose level is higher than normal. This makes it easier for a doctor to diagnose diabetes. However, there may be other symptoms in addition to these three symptoms.

Those characteristics are:

• Feeling tired all the time (Fatigue)
• Blurry Vision
• Unexplained Weight Loss
• Tingling or Numbness in Hands and Feet
• Slow Healing of Cuts and Bruises
• Recurring infections

If you have any of these three symptoms, and in addition to them, other diabetes symptoms, definitely see a doctor and get tested.

The tests that doctors perform are as follows:

• A1C Blood Test
• Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test
• Random Plasma Glucose (RPG) Test
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

If you have any of these three symptoms, it doesn't necessarily have to be due to diabetes. There could be other reasons. So definitely see a doctor to find out the exact cause.

How do these three symptoms affect prediabetes?

Prediabetes means that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but you haven't yet developed diabetes.

People with prediabetes may not notice these three symptoms as much. Prediabetes is often only discovered through testing. Therefore, if you are at risk for developing diabetes, it is important to test your blood glucose levels regularly.

Treatment

These three symptoms of diabetes are caused by high blood glucose levels. Therefore, keeping blood glucose levels in check can prevent these three symptoms.

Here are the things it can do:

• Taking medication for diabetes, for example , insulin or metformin
• Regularly measure your blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol .
• Exercise regularly.

A doctor will create a treatment plan that is right for you. It is very important to follow that plan carefully.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any of these three symptoms for several days, you should definitely see a doctor. Also, if you have more than one of these three symptoms, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Also, remember that these three symptoms can also be caused by other conditions other than diabetes. If you notice any new symptoms, if they persist, or if they bother you, be sure to see a doctor to talk about them.

Summary

The three main symptoms of diabetes are polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia. These refer to excessive thirst, frequent urination, and excessive hunger, respectively.

These three symptoms don't always occur together. They mean that your blood glucose level is higher than normal. And they are the main symptoms of diabetes.

If you have any of these three symptoms, definitely see a doctor. They will run the appropriate tests for you and tell you for sure whether you have diabetes or something else.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I have these three symptoms, Polydipsia, Polyuria, and Polyphagia, without having diabetes?

Yes. As I mentioned earlier, these three symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions. For example, dehydration, certain medications, and kidney disease can also cause these symptoms.

2. I feel thirsty all the time, but I don't urinate often. Could I have diabetes?

Maybe. If you feel thirsty all the time, it could be polydipsia. However, you can have diabetes without polyuria. On the other hand, not everyone who urinates frequently has diabetes. If you have any doubts, it's best to see a doctor.

3. I feel very hungry, but I'm not losing weight. But could I have diabetes?

Sometimes. Excessive hunger, or polyphagia, can be a symptom of diabetes. However, if you're not losing weight, it could be due to something else. Things like thyroid problems and stress can also cause you to feel hungry all the time. See a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

4. Can these three symptoms tell me for sure that I have diabetes?

No. These three symptoms can be caused by diabetes, but they can also be caused by other reasons. Only a doctor can tell for sure if you have diabetes. You need to get tested for that.

5. If I have prediabetes, can I feel these three symptoms?

Usually, people with prediabetes do not experience these three symptoms as strongly. However, some people may experience these symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have prediabetes is to get tested.

6. I have all three of these symptoms, should I see a doctor right away?

Yes. If you have all three of these symptoms, or even just one of them, it could be diabetes. So it's best to see a doctor as soon as possible.

7. What is the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes?

In Type 1 Diabetes, your body does not produce insulin. In Type 2 Diabetes, the insulin your body produces does not work properly.

8. What can I do to reduce my risk of developing diabetes?

You can reduce your risk of developing diabetes by doing these things:

• Eat and drink well: Eat more vegetables, fruits, and grains.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise for at least 150 minutes a week.
• Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight, losing a little weight can make a big difference.
• Stop smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing diabetes.

9. If diabetes develops during pregnancy, can it cause these three symptoms?

Yes. These three symptoms can also be caused by gestational diabetes. Therefore, if you experience these symptoms during pregnancy, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Finally...

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of the three main symptoms of diabetes. Remember, these three symptoms, namely excessive thirst, frequent urination, and excessive hunger , can be a sign that something is wrong with your body. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor and talk about it.

It's your responsibility to take care of your body. Staying healthy is what matters!