‘How can someone differentiate between normal dehydration and the excessive thirst associated with diabetes?’

Weather ePaper Today’s Paper Journalism of Courage Home ePaper Politics Explained Opinion India Business Premium Cities UPSC Entertainment Sports World Lifestyle Tech Subscribe Sign In TrendingUPSC OfferIPL 2026US NewsPuzzles & GamesLegal NewsFresh TakeHealthResearch🎙️ Podcast Advertisement function checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript() { if (window.jQuery) { // jQuery is loaded, include your script jQuery(document).ready(function($) { // Your existing script for checking window width if (window.innerWidth) var page_w = window.innerWidth; else if (document.all) var page_w = document.body.clientWidth; if (page_w > 1024) { $(".add-left, .add-right").show(); } else { $(".add-left, .add-right").hide(); } }); } else { // jQuery is not loaded, check again after 0.2 seconds setTimeout(checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript, 200); } } // Initial call to the function checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript(); NewsLifestyleHealth'How can someone differentiate between normal dehydration and the excessive thirst associated with diabetes?' ‘How can someone differentiate between normal dehydration and the excessive thirst associated with diabetes?’ Wondering if your thirst is normal? Experts explain how to differentiate between everyday thirst and signs of Diabetes, plus when to get tested. By: Lifestyle Desk3 min readNew DelhiApr 16, 2026 06:00 AM IST How to differentiate between normal thirst and diabetes driven excessive thirst (Image: Freepik) Make us preferred source on Google Whatsapp twitter Facebook Reddit PRINT We all feel thirsty after a workout, in hot weather, or even after a salty meal. But when that thirst doesn’t go away even after drinking enough water, it could be your body trying to signal something more serious. One such concerned internet user took to online forum Quora seeking answers: ‘How can someone differentiate between normal thirst and the excessive thirst associated with diabetes?’ Curious, we decided to dig deeper and reached out to Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Consultant- Internal Medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai, who said there’s a clear difference between everyday thirst and the kind linked to diabetes. Let’s understand more below. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. “Normal thirst usually occurs after heat, exercise, or dehydration and improves after drinking fluids,” she explains. Occasional thirst is normal. But if it becomes constant, unquenchable, or is paired with other symptoms, it shouldn’t be ignored. Excessive thirst associated with diabetes is often persistent and doesn’t ease easily. “It is often accompanied by frequent urination, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss,” Dr Agarwal adds. The reason lies in how the body reacts to high blood sugar levels. “In diabetes, high blood sugar pulls fluid out of body tissues and increases urine production, leading to dehydration,” Dr Agarwal explains. This fluid loss triggers a cycle: your body keeps asking for more water, even when you’re drinking enough. This means if you’re drinking water but still feel constantly thirsty, it may not be just dehydration. The pattern of thirst matters as much as the intensity. “Thirst that is persistent throughout the day, not relieved even after drinking enough fluids, or wakes you up at night, should raise concern,” she says. Other symptoms to watch for include: These signs often appear together and may indicate that the body is struggling to regulate blood sugar. To put it simple, persistent thirst can be an early warning sign of Diabetes and recognising it early can make all the difference. So if you ever feel that no matter how much water you are drinking, you’re still thirsty, it might be time to pay a visit to the doctor. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. 📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram