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Thirst - excessive

Definition

Excessive thirst is an abnormal feeling of always needing to drink fluids.

Alternative Names

Increased thirst; Polydipsia; Excessive thirst

Considerations

Drinking lots of water is healthy in most cases. The urge to drink too much may be the result of a physical or emotional disease. Excessive thirst may be a symptom of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), which may help in detecting diabetes.

Excessive thirst is a common symptom. It is often the reaction to fluid loss during exercise or to eating salty foods.

Causes

Causes may include:

  • A recent salty or spicy meal
  • Bleeding enough to cause a large decrease in blood volume
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Medicines such as anticholinergics, demeclocycline, diuretics, phenothiazines
  • Loss of body fluids from the bloodstream into the tissues due to conditions such as severe infections (sepsis) or burns, or heart, liver, or kidney failure
  • Psychogenic polydipsia (a mental disorder)

Home Care

Because thirst is the body's signal to replace water loss, it is most often appropriate to drink plenty of liquids.

For thirst caused by diabetes, follow the prescribed treatment to properly control your blood sugar level.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if:

  • Excessive thirst is ongoing and unexplained.
  • Thirst is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms, such as blurry vision or fatigue.
  • You are passing more than 5 quarts (4.73 liters) of urine per day.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The provider will get your medical history and perform a physical exam.

The provider may ask you questions such as:

  • How long have you been aware of having increased thirst? Did it develop suddenly or slowly?
  • Does your thirst stay the same all day?
  • Did you change your diet? Are you eating more salty or spicy foods?
  • Have you noticed an increased appetite?
  • Have you lost weight or gained weight without trying?
  • Has your activity level increased?
  • What other symptoms are happening at the same time?
  • Have you recently suffered a burn or other injury?
  • Are you urinating more or less frequently than usual? Are you producing more or less urine than usual? Have you noticed any bleeding?
  • Are you sweating more than usual?
  • Is there any swelling in your body?
  • Do you have a fever?

Tests that may be ordered include the following:

Your provider will recommend treatment if needed based on your exam and tests. For example, if tests show you have diabetes, you will need to get treated.

A very strong, constant urge to drink may be the sign of a psychological problem. You may need a psychological evaluation if the provider suspects this is a cause. Your fluid intake and output will be closely watched.

Gallery

Insulin production and diabetes
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is necessary for cells to be able to use blood sugar.

References

Al-Awqati Q. Disorders of sodium and water homeostasis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 108.

Mortada R. Diabetes insipidus. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2021. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:290-293.

Last reviewed January 16, 2021 by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

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