Dear Anne,
I'm a 22 year old female. I had a son when I was just 17. Since shortly after I gave birth I've always felt the need for compulsive drinking - not alcohol. I can't leave the house without taking water with me or even leave a room without carrying a drink. I feel like I'm dehydrated constantly but I don't know if it's in my mind? It's taking over my life and I can't control it. Emma
Dear Emma,
I'm glad you've decided to deal with this issue. It sounds most likely that you've developed a degree of diabetes, since one of the most common symptoms is a continual thirst. Developing diabetes isn't uncommon during and after a pregnancy. However, I'm not a doctor and you need a face-to-face examination with a GP to make a proper diagnosis. This is likely to consist initially of a few questions and a urine test so it's nothing to be scared of.
The doctor will be able to let you know what's going on and how to treat it. I urge you to go and see him or her as soon as possible. Diabetes can usually be managed fairly readily, often simply by adjusting diet, maintaining a healthy weight and taking suitable healthy exercise. Your doctor could advise you on all these. Sometimes tablets or injections may be required. The sooner you seek treatment, the less likely it is to cause complications which could pose a serious risk to your health, so I hope you'll make that first appointment as soon as possible.
Most people with diabetes live healthy, active lives so long as they take appropriate care of themselves. And that starts with seeing your GP as soon as possible. For more information, go to www.nhs.uk/Pathways/diabetes/Pages/Symptoms.aspx. All the best.
