Constant thirst is a warning sign of a disease that millions of people suffer from.
Many people think that dry mouth, thirst and drinking a lot of water can be due to hot weather. However, if you have constant thirst combined with frequent urination, it can be a warning sign of diabetes.
According to Dr. Hoang Thi Trang, Department of Cardiology - Rheumatology - Endocrinology, Military Hospital 175 (HCMC), diabetesis a chronic metabolic disease with high blood sugar, over time leading to serious damage to many different organs, especially the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
The rate of people with diabetes is increasing and tends to be younger. In Vietnam, in 2015 there were about 3.5 million cases, the current number is about 5 million cases and is expected to increase to 6.1 million by 2040.
After being examined at Military Hospital 175, Mr. NB (48 years old) still did not believe that he had a disease that required him to live with medication and regular check-ups for the rest of his life. He said that a few months ago, he often felt tired for no apparent reason but did not go for a health check-up. Recently, he has been constantly thirsty even though he has not exercised too hard or worked in a hot environment.
"I was afraid of kidney failure so I went to see a doctor, but I didn't expect to have diabetes. The disease can easily lead to complications if you don't take your medication regularly," he said.
Dr. Trang said that, in terms of classification, type 1 diabetes accounts for about 10%, often found in children and adolescents. This is the result of an autoimmune process that selectively destroys the beta cells of the pancreas, resulting in little or no insulin.
Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes results from a combination of relative insulin deficiency and insulin resistance, accounting for about 85% of cases and commonly occurring in adults.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in pregnant women in the second or third trimester without previous evidence of diabetes. In addition, diabetes can also be secondary to exocrine pancreatic disease or endocrine disease (acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, etc.).
Dr. Trang said that frequent urination is one of the main signs of diabetes. When there is too much sugar in the blood, the kidneys have to work harder to remove the excess sugar. Therefore, the kidneys have to produce more urine to remove the excess sugar from the body.
The second symptom is thirst and increased water intake. Many people think that dry mouth, thirst and increased water intake can be due to hot weather. However, if you are constantly thirsty combined with frequent urination, it can be a warning sign that your body is not making enough insulin.
Weight loss is also a common symptom. Sudden weight loss, especially after eating normally or eating a lot, can be an early sign of diabetes.
Many people discover they have diabetes because they feel tired. The reason is that when there is a lack of insulin, glucose will not be converted to energy. Meanwhile, the kidneys excrete sugar through urine, losing a lot of energy, leading to excessive fatigue.
Some signs when the patient has complications are: Reduced vision, blurred vision, seeing dark spots; slow wound healing... Doctor Trang explains that when blood sugar is high, it will reduce the ability to heal wounds, and at the same time, the immune system is damaged, which can lead to infection or necrosis.
According to Dr. Trang, the rate of diabetes patients in Vietnam is increasing, so early detection will help prevent and delay serious complications that affect the life and quality of life of patients.
As soon as diabetes is suspected, patients should go to the hospital for clinical examination and diagnostic testing.
When diagnosed with diabetes, patients will be advised by doctors on appropriate treatment methods, diet and exercise regimens, instructions on diabetic foot care and how to use medication./.
