Polydipsia is excessive __________ associated with diabetes mellitus.

• A. hunger
• B. urine output
• C. thirst
• D. blood glucose levels

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the term 'polydipsia'. It is derived from Greek, where 'poly' means 'many' or 'excessive', and 'dipsia' means 'thirst'. Therefore, polydipsia refers to excessive thirst.
2. Recognize that polydipsia is a common symptom associated with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to insulin deficiency or resistance.
3. Consider the physiological mechanism: In diabetes mellitus, high blood glucose levels lead to osmotic diuresis, where excess glucose in the blood is excreted in the urine, pulling water along with it. This results in increased urine output, known as polyuria.
4. Understand the body's response: As the body loses more water through increased urine output, it triggers a sensation of thirst to compensate for the fluid loss, leading to polydipsia.
5. Conclude that polydipsia is directly related to the body's attempt to maintain fluid balance in response to the excessive urine output caused by high blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus.