Feeling Parched from Diabetes? Why and What You Can Do About It.

Feeling Parched from Diabetes? Why and What You Can Do About It.  (July 20, 2024)

It is summer and you may be engaged in a lot of outdoor activities in sizzling temperatures. It is easy to get dehydrated in such circumstances if you are not drinking a lot of water and/or sweating too much. But feeling thirsty when you are not dehydrated could be something else. The problem may very well be diabetes. Excessive thirst is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes.

Feeling parched – and having to urinate more frequently - because of diabetes results from a buildup of sugar or glucose in the blood. High blood sugars force the kidneys to work harder to get rid of the excess sugars. To rid the body of excess sugars, the kidneys need to make more urine. Doing so uses up more water in the body, which even can be pulled from your tissues.  By losing lots of water, you are dehydrated and thirsty. Drinking more fluids to satisfy the thirst then leads to more urination.

Diabetes types

The two main types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. Both are chronic conditions and affect how your body uses glucose from the foods you eat. Glucose is burned for energy by your cells.  Insulin is a hormone that transports glucose into the cells.

Type 1 is considered an autoimmune disease.  Your immune system mistakenly treats the beta cells in your pancreas that create insulin as foreign invaders and destroys them. Once these cells are destroyed, the body is unable to produce insulin. [1]

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes.  There are two primary problems that underlie Type 2 diabetes. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin or your body does not use insulin properly, which is called insulin resistance.

Diabetes treatment

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you need to take insulin several times a day or use an insulin pump to deliver steady doses throughout the day.   With Type 2, diet and exercise can help control the condition, but you may need medicine if they are not enough. Type 2 diabetes drugs include insulin and metformin, among others. [2]

Lifestyle changes

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you know that there are lifestyle changes you need to make to control the disease:

Eat healthy: The key to healthy eating, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) [3]  is to eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups in the amount established in a meal plan specific to your needs.  The food groups are: vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and dairy (nonfat or low fat). You will also want to eat foods with heart-healthy fats, which come from:

• oils that are liquid at room temperature, such as canola and olive oil
• nuts and seeds
• heart-healthy fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel
• avocado

At the same time, limit fried foods and other foods high in saturated and trans fats, foods high in salt, sweets, and beverages with added sugars. To stay on track with healthy eating, look at the label of the foods you buy to make sure they are appropriate for your plan.

Exercise: The American Diabetes Association recommends getting 150 minutes of exercise a week. Walking is one of the easiest and best exercise if you have diabetes. [4] Riding a bike, gardening, dancing, cleaning house and even playing with your pets are activities that are easy to incorporate into your daily routine. [5]

Achieve balance: As part of your care plan, you want to set aside time to achieve peace and calm. Achieving balance can include anything from meditating, performing breathing exercises or the use of aromatherapy and music therapy. Simply sitting, writing, and reading can help you recharge. [6]

Care for your feet: Check your feet daily for the following problems and let your doctor know if you experience any of them:

• Blisters or sores
• Bruises or cuts
• Redness, warmth, or tenderness (often absent because of nerve damage)
• Firm or hard spots
• Dry and cracked skin

EASE-Z

For moisturizing, consider EASE-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream. It was developed specifically to relieve and protect dry, cracked skin associated with diabetes. The over-the-counter offering uniquely features active Zinc Acetate to relieve and protect.  It is unscented and non-greasy for added comfort. Learn more about Ease-Z. Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream.

[1] “Understanding Type 1 Diabetes,” American Diabetes Association, Accessed July 1, 2024. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-1

[2] Cristol, Hope, “Diabetic Thirst: What Is it and How Can You Fix It?” Webmd, June 15, 2024. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetic-thirst

[3] “Diabetes Diet, Eating& Physical Activity,” NDDK, Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/diet-eating-physical-activity

[4]“It’s a great time to get moving,” ADA, Accessed July1, 2024. https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/fitness

[5] “Developing Your Diabetes Care Plan Is a Must for Feeling and Looking Your Best,” Life Energy Foundation, Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.thelifeenergyfoundation.org/type-2-diabetes-care-plan/

[6] Ibid