The three P’s of Diabetes: These are the three most common symptoms of diabetes.
The three P’s can be simply defined as:
- Polydipsia. An increase in thirst
- polyuria: frequent urination
- polyphagia: a rise in appetite
We will discuss the three P’s more in detail. We’ll explain how they are diagnosed and treated, as well as when to see your doctor.
Polydipsia
Polydipsia refers to excessive thirst. Polydipsia is characterized by persistent dry lips and excessive thirst.
Polydipsia in diabetics is caused by higher blood sugar levels. Your kidneys make more urine to eliminate excess glucose from the body when blood glucose levels rise.
Your brain is telling you to drink more to replace the fluids your body is losing. This causes intense thirst, which is a sign of diabetes.
You can also experience persistent thirst by:
- Dehydration
- Osmotic diuresis is an increase in urine due to excessive glucose entering the kidney tubules that can’t absorb. This causes increased water retention in the tubules.
- Mental health issues such as psychogenic Polydipsia can be a problem.
Polyuria
Polyuria refers to when you have more urine than usual. The average person produces 1-2 liters per day. One liter is equivalent to approximately 4 cups. Polyuria patients produce more urine per day.
Your body will attempt to eliminate excess glucose from your blood by urinating if it has too much. Your kidneys will filter out more water, leading to a higher need to urinate.
Other than diabetes, abnormally high levels of urine can be linked to other conditions such as:
- pregnancy
- diabetes insipidus
- kidney disease
- High calcium levels or hypercalcemia
- Mental health issues such as psychogenic Polydipsia can be a problem.
- Taking medications such as diuretics
Polyphagia
Polyphagia describes excessive hunger. It is possible to feel an increase in appetite after exercising or when we haven’t eaten for a while.
Diabetes patients have difficulty absorbing glucose into their cells so that it can be used as energy. Low insulin levels, or insulin resistance can cause this. You’ll feel hungry because your body cannot convert glucose into energy.
Polyphagia is characterized by a persistent hunger that doesn’t disappear after eating food. Unmanaged diabetes patients will eat more to increase their blood glucose levels.
Polyphagia can also be caused by other factors, such as polydipsia or polyuria. Some examples include:
- Hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- stress
- Certain medications such as corticosteroids should not be taken.
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Diagnosis
These three P’s of diabetic are often combined, although not always. They also develop faster in type1 diabetes than in Type 2 diabetes.
Your doctor may use the three P’s to diagnose diabetes. Other symptoms may also be present in addition to the three P’s.
These symptoms include:
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- blurry vision
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Feelings of tingling and numbness in your hands or feet
- Slow Healing of Cuts and Bumps
- Recurrent infections
Your doctor will be able to diagnose you if you have any of these symptoms.
These tests include:
- A1C blood tests
- Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test
- random plasma glucose (RPG) test
- oral glucose tolerance testing
Remember that there may be other conditions than diabetes that could cause any of these P’s. You should consult your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Note about prediabetes
What about prediabetes and the three P’s? Prediabetes refers to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not enough to diagnose type 2.
Prediabetes is a condition that causes you to experience symptoms similar to the three P’s. Prediabetes can go undiagnosed, so it is important to have your glucose levels checked regularly if you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Treatment
Diabetes is more common than normal blood glucose. Maintaining a healthy blood glucose level can help stop the three P’s.
Here are some examples:
- Diabetes medications such as insulin and metformin, should be taken.
- Regular monitoring of things such as blood glucose, high blood pressure, cholesterol
- Following a healthy diet
- Being more physically active
Your doctor will help you develop a treatment plan for your condition after you have been diagnosed. Stick to the plan to manage your diabetes symptoms.
When should you see a doctor?
When should you schedule an appointment with your doctor for one or more of these P’s?
You should consult your doctor if you experience an unusual increase in thirst, urination or appetite over several days. If you experience more than one of these symptoms, it is especially important to see your doctor.
Keep in mind that each one of these P’s may be a sign of other conditions than diabetes. You should consult your doctor if you are experiencing new, persistent or worrying symptoms.
The bottom line
The three P’s in diabetes are polydipsia and polyuria. These terms refer to an increase in thirst, urination and appetite.
These three P’s are often, but not always, combined. These are the most obvious signs of diabetes and indicate higher than normal blood glucose levels.
You should consult your doctor if you are experiencing any of the three P’s.
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