Definition: Polydipsia

Polydipsia

A person with polydipsia drinks excessive amounts of fluid. In uncontrolled diabetes, polydipsia occurs when a person has high blood sugar levels. Some of this sugar is removed from the body by the kidneys. To do this, the kidneys produce more urine, requiring large amounts of water to leave the body. To avoid becoming dehydrated, the person becomes thirsty and drinks lots of water.