Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Excessive Thirst, Dryness In Mouth, Numbness In Back And Arm, Weakness, Dizziness. Why?
Hi I have a question. Lately the past month or two I find my self getting very thirsty, even after just drinking water. My mouth becomes really dry. I would say I have good oral hygen but recently I have been using a cheaper toothpaste then usual. But I also have a concern it's diabetes. I do have occasional numbness in a small section of my back and small section in my arm at the same time In the foot. I don't have a physician or insurance so seeing a doctor is out of the question as of now. So my question is can it be diabetes, I am over weight but have recently eating heathier and excersising 3 to 4 times a week. I'm scared I can get really sick because there's times were I get weak and get dizzy spells out of no where. Thanks alot
Tue, 23 Apr 2013
Hi, thanks for asking in Healthcare Magic.
Diabetes mellitus often presents with symptoms of excessive thirst, increased appetite (weight gain) and increased urination. Your dryness is because of excessive thirst due to frequent urination and the resultant dehydration. Weakness and dizzy spells occur frequently in early stages due to uncontrolled or un diagnosed Diabetes.
Another cause of excessive thirst, dry mouth and increased urination is Diabetes Insipidus due to improper secretion of anti diuretic hormone, that regulates water excretion.
Urine test for the presence of sugar in urine, Fasting and Post Prandial blood sugar values and oral glucose tolerance test will confirm Diabetes mellitus. If it is negative then you should undergo Desmopressin test, done to diagnose Diabetes insipidus.
In case of Diabetes mellitus, weight reduction will improve the action of insulin in the early stages. If the blood sugar values are not controlled by weight reduction alone, then you will need anti Diabetic drugs like Metformin to control Diabetes.
i hope this is helpful to you.
Diabetes mellitus often presents with symptoms of excessive thirst, increased appetite (weight gain) and increased urination. Your dryness is because of excessive thirst due to frequent urination and the resultant dehydration. Weakness and dizzy spells occur frequently in early stages due to uncontrolled or un diagnosed Diabetes.
Another cause of excessive thirst, dry mouth and increased urination is Diabetes Insipidus due to improper secretion of anti diuretic hormone, that regulates water excretion.
Urine test for the presence of sugar in urine, Fasting and Post Prandial blood sugar values and oral glucose tolerance test will confirm Diabetes mellitus. If it is negative then you should undergo Desmopressin test, done to diagnose Diabetes insipidus.
In case of Diabetes mellitus, weight reduction will improve the action of insulin in the early stages. If the blood sugar values are not controlled by weight reduction alone, then you will need anti Diabetic drugs like Metformin to control Diabetes.
i hope this is helpful to you.
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Hello,
thanks for using health care magic.
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood sugar levels and which manifests with increase thirst, abundant urination, increase appetite and weight loss is usually present in people with chronic diabetes. Diabetes could result from reduce sensitivity of insulin which is usually the case in people with overweight or obesity or with family history.
When an aged person presents with such symptoms in favor of diabetes ( increase thirst, abundant urination, increase appetite) and with overweight or obesity, he or she ought to be screen for diabetes. That could be done by getting your random blood sugar level which should be greater than 200mg/l or by getting your fasting blood sugar (after 8 hours fast) which should be less than 126mg/l. This is the only way by fact to rule out diabetes which must be done in order to start early treatment and prevent complications such as blindness, cardiovascular diseases, renal failure etc which will result in case you have diabetes.
Blood sugar level can be gotten even at home using portable glucometers however and initial evaluation by a doctor is necessary.
Hope this helps you.
Dr Achuo
thanks for using health care magic.
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood sugar levels and which manifests with increase thirst, abundant urination, increase appetite and weight loss is usually present in people with chronic diabetes. Diabetes could result from reduce sensitivity of insulin which is usually the case in people with overweight or obesity or with family history.
When an aged person presents with such symptoms in favor of diabetes ( increase thirst, abundant urination, increase appetite) and with overweight or obesity, he or she ought to be screen for diabetes. That could be done by getting your random blood sugar level which should be greater than 200mg/l or by getting your fasting blood sugar (after 8 hours fast) which should be less than 126mg/l. This is the only way by fact to rule out diabetes which must be done in order to start early treatment and prevent complications such as blindness, cardiovascular diseases, renal failure etc which will result in case you have diabetes.
Blood sugar level can be gotten even at home using portable glucometers however and initial evaluation by a doctor is necessary.
Hope this helps you.
Dr Achuo
I find this answer helpful
3 Doctors agree with this answer
Hello,
Feeling thirsty,having dry mouth with off and on numbness along with obesity gives strong suspicion of diabetes.There is no escaping from truth and so you have to consult a doctor and get all relevant investigations done.You may even go to ER and consult a doctor there.
You should not take your symptoms lightly and must consult a doctor at the earliest.
Thanks
Feeling thirsty,having dry mouth with off and on numbness along with obesity gives strong suspicion of diabetes.There is no escaping from truth and so you have to consult a doctor and get all relevant investigations done.You may even go to ER and consult a doctor there.
You should not take your symptoms lightly and must consult a doctor at the earliest.
Thanks
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Diabetes
Loading Online Doctors....