Kids seem to drink all of the time, especially when it's summer time. Sometimes your child's asking for more to drink than usual can indicate there's an underlying reason or medical condition. Along with excessive thirst, you may notice that your child is urinating more frequently, but both symptoms go hand in hand.
Significance
If your child has polydipsia, or extreme thirst, this can indicate many possible conditions such as dehydration or diabetes. Excessive thirst can also be a side effect from an illness such as diarrhea, vomiting, sweating or a medication side effect. If your child has extreme thirst, you will also see an increase in urine production.
Effects
If your child is diabetic and has increased sugar levels, or glucose, it can cause her kidneys to work extra hard. When her kidneys are forced to filter excess sugar, she will begin to urinate more frequently, which leads to excess thirst, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your child has diarrhea, she will lose fluids with each stool, which will cause her to be more thirsty than usual. Certain viruses, such as rotovirus, can lead to diarrhea and excessive thirst. Rotovirus primarily affects younger children such as infants.
Time Frame
If your child is experiencing excessive thirst with relation to his diabetes, symptoms may appear almost instantaneously as his body tries to maintain water levels. If he is dehydrated, acute polydipsia can occur. If he has a viral infection, such as rotovirus, symptoms of polydipsia along with diarrhea can appear within 4 to 48 hours.
Warning
Dehydration is nothing to play around with. If your child becomes severely dehydrated, it can affect your child's electrolyte levels and result in a need for hospitalization. If your child is diabetic and has raised glucose levels, this may also require prompt medical attention. He could easily end up in the hospital if his sugar levels are not properly maintained.
Considerations
On hot summer days, make sure your child is getting enough water. Because the human body is primarily composed of water, it only makes sense that water is a better choice than soda or juice. Juice and soda contain a large amount of sugar, which can lead to further dehydration. Diabetics should avoid sugar-containing beverages to maintain a normal, steady glucose level. Consult with your child's pediatrician if your child experiences vomiting or diarrhea for a prolonged period of time.
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