Excessive Thirst
Your body needs water to function properly. For example, water helps to
regulate your body temperature, lubricate your joints, and remove waste from your
body. Adequate daily water intake is very important. Furthermore, it is important
to increase your usual water intake when you are ill, exposed to hot
temperatures, or engaged in physical activities.
However, if your thirst is stronger than usual and continues even after you
drink, seek medical help immediatelyâespecially if your thirst is accompanied
by blurred vision and fatigue.
Causes of Excessive
Thirst
It is normal to feel thirsty after eating salty or spicy foods, or after
engaging in strenuous exercise or sporting events, especially when it is hot.
You may also feel thirsty when you suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, burns, or a
significant loss of blood. Some prescription medications also cause thirst.
Frequent excessive thirst and/or thirst that wonât be quenched can be
symptoms of serious medical conditions, such as:
dehydration: Dehydration occurs when
you lack the proper amount of fluids for your body to function properly.
Severe dehydration is life threatening, especially for infants and young
children. Dehydration can be caused by illness, profuse sweating, too much
urine output, vomiting, or diarrhea.
diabetes: Excessive thirst can be
caused by high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and is often one of the first
noticeable symptoms of diabetes.
diabetes insipidus: With this form of
diabetes, your kidneys are unable to conserve water, leading to excessive
thirst.
dipsogenic diabetes
insipidus:
This condition is due to a defect in the thirst mechanism, causing
excessive thirst and excessive urine output.
heart, liver, or kidney
failure
psychogenic polydipsia: This is a psychiatric
disorder that causes people to drink too much.
sepsis: This is a dangerous
illness caused by a severe reaction to bacteria or other germs.
When to Seek
Medical Attention
Thirst is your bodyâs way of telling you that it is low on fluids. In normal
circumstances, you should be able to quench your thirst fairly quickly.
However, if your urge to drink remains constant, or does not go away after you
drink, it may be a sign of a serious health problem, especially if combined
with other symptoms. This constant urge to drink could also be a psychological
problem.
Consult with your doctor if:
thirst is persistent, regardless of how much you drink
you also have blurry vision, excessive hunger, or cuts
or sores that do not heal
you are also fatigued
you are urinating more than five quarts a day
Diagnosing
Excessive Thirst
To help diagnose the reason for your excessive, unresolved thirst, your
doctor will ask you for a complete medical history, including any previously
diagnosed conditions. Be prepared to list all of your prescription and
over-the-counter medications and supplements. Some questions your doctor may
ask include:
How long have you been aware of your symptoms?
Are you also urinating more than usual?
Did your symptoms begin slowly or suddenly?
Does your thirst increase or decrease during certain
times of the day?
Have you made dietary or other lifestyle changes?
Has your appetite for food been affected?
Have you gained or lost weight?
Have you recently had an injury or burn?
Are you experiencing any bleeding or swelling?
Have you had a fever?
Have you been perspiring heavily?
In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may order blood and urine tests
to help provide a diagnosis. These tests may include:
blood glucose test
blood count and blood differential tests
urinalysis and urine osmolality tests
serum calcium, osmolality, and sodium tests
Depending on the test results, your doctor may refer you to a specialist.
Treating Excessive
Thirst
Treatment and prognosis will depend on the diagnosis.
How Much Fluid Do
You Normally Need?
To remain healthy, you need to drink fluid regularly throughout the day. You
can increase your water intake by also eating water-rich foods, such as celery,
watermelon, tomatoes, oranges, and melons.
A good rule of thumb to know if you are getting enough fluids is to
check your urine. If it is light in color,
high in volume, and does not have a heavy smell, you are probably getting
enough fluid.
Every organ, tissue, and cell in your body needs water. Water helps your
body to:
maintain a normal temperature
lubricate and cushion your joints
protect the spinal cord
rid your body of waste through perspiration, urination,
and bowel movements
You need to take in extra fluids when you:
are outdoors in hot weather
are engaging in a rigorous activity
have diarrhea
are vomiting
have a fever
If you fail to replenish the fluids you lose and fail to respond to your
thirst by drinking fluids, you can become dehydrated.
Risks of Excessive
Thirst: Overhydration
When you try to quench excessive thirst, it is possible to drink too
much. Taking in more water than you expel is called overhydration, a condition
that can occur when you have kidney, liver, or heart disorders or drink too
much liquid to compensate for fluid loss. Overhydration can cause confusion and
seizures.
Source: http://www.healthline.com
