Clinical Diagnosis · Endocrine System · Medium
Polydipsia
Meaning: Excessive thirst leading to drinking large volumes of fluid, a classic symptom of diabetes.
In practice: Polydipsia and polyuria over several weeks prompted a fasting glucose test.
Word parts
- poly- means many
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Excess growth hormone in adults causing enlarged hands, feet, jaw and facial features.
Answer: Acromegaly
Which word means: A superficial bacterial skin infection causing a bright red, raised, sharply demarcated area, often on the face or legs.
Answer: Erysipelas
Words like polydipsia come up in the daily game
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