Excessive Thirst: Why Am I So Thirsty?

By errol

Reviewed: dr. stavarache

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Gilmerm. '3 Reasons Why You May Be Feeling Really Thirsty.' Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 5 Oct. 2020, health.clevelandclinic.org/reasons-why-you-may-be-feeling-really-thirsty/
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• 3. Gill, Melissa, and MacDara McCauley. 'Psychogenic Polydipsia: the Result, or Cause of, Deteriorating Psychotic Symptoms? A Case Report of the Consequences of Water Intoxication.' Case Reports in Psychiatry, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320790/
• 4. StatPearls. 'Primary Polydipsia.' StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 25 Aug. 2020, www.statpearls.com/articlelibrary/viewarticle/27735/
• 5. 'Xerostomia (Dry Mouth),' www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/xerostomia
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• 7. Miller, Jeffery L. 'Iron Deficiency Anemia: a Common and Curable Disease.' Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1 July 2013, [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3685880/.](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3685880/.)
• 8. Inenaga, Kiyotoshi, et al. 'Thirst Sensation and Oral Dryness Following Alcohol Intake.' Japanese Dental Science Review, Elsevier, 27 Feb. 2017, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1882761616300631

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Feeling thirsty is normal and healthy. It indicates the body's need for water. Excessive thirst, referred to as polydipsia, is an exaggerated thirst sensation that may last for days, weeks or months. Drinking water may resolve excessive thirst in some cases. However, some types of polydipsia remain unchanged no matter how much water is consumed.⁴StatPearls. ‘Primary Polydipsia.’ StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 25 Aug. 2020, www.statpearls.com/articlelibrary/viewarticle/27735/

Primary polydipsia refers to excessive thirst and water consumption without any physical need for it. Excessive thirst when the body actually needs more water is called secondary polydipsia. Increased urine output and frequency may be a partial cause or symptom of excessive thirst.³Gill, Melissa, and MacDara McCauley. ‘Psychogenic Polydipsia: the Result, or Cause of, Deteriorating Psychotic Symptoms? A Case Report of the Consequences of Water Intoxication.’ Case Reports in Psychiatry, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320790/

Dehydration

Dehydration may cause excessive thirst when the body doesn't have enough fluids for essential processes. In addition to thirst, symptoms of dehydration may include dark-colored urine, headaches, dry mouth and skin, fatigue, dizziness or a low urine output.¹Gilmerm. ‘3 Reasons Why You May Be Feeling Really Thirsty.’ Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 5 Oct. 2020, health.clevelandclinic.org/reasons-why-you-may-be-feeling-really-thirsty/

Sometimes unintentional fluid restrictions may occur when a person is busy with work or other engaging activities. Excessive thirst and dehydration may be resolved by drinking water if a person simply forgot to drink anything all day. Heavy sweating can result in a surprisingly large amount of lost fluid. Hot and humid weather, strenuous exercise and fevers may increase fluid loss through sweating.³Gill, Melissa, and MacDara McCauley. ‘Psychogenic Polydipsia: the Result, or Cause of, Deteriorating Psychotic Symptoms? A Case Report of the Consequences of Water Intoxication.’ Case Reports in Psychiatry, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320790/