What to do if you are always thirsty. Constant thirst and frequent urination

For example, the period of bearing a child or playing sports.

It is unacceptable to consider the feeling of thirst as the only clinical manifestation. It is imperative to pay attention to other signs that may complement it. Often these symptoms include the appearance of a coating on the tongue, weakness and nausea, an unpleasant taste in the mouth and dizziness.

Adequate diagnosis of constant thirst, i.e. identifying the causes of its occurrence, requires an integrated approach and, in addition to primary diagnostic measures, includes laboratory and instrumental examinations of the patient.

Therapeutic measures will completely depend on what disease caused such a symptom; conservative methods are often sufficient.

Etiology

First of all, it should be noted that the most acceptable volume of liquid that a person should drink per day is two liters. In some cases, it is the lack of water that causes a person to suffer from constant thirst. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly monitor the volume of fluid consumed, especially in children and the elderly, as well as in exhausted patients.

The reasons for constant thirst will be dictated by the ways in which fluid is removed from the body. This can happen through:

kidneys and intestines;
skin covering;
lungs and mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.

Loss of water through the kidneys occurs against the background of:

uncontrolled use of diuretics;
abuse of weight loss products;
excessive ingestion of liquids that contain ethanol, for example, beer;
diabetes insipidus - a similar disease is accompanied by the fact that the human body secretes a large amount of light urine, up to several liters per day, which leads to a feeling of constant thirst;
kidney shrinkage, which may be a primary or secondary pathological condition;
acute or chronic course of pyelonephritis;
chronic form of glomerulonephritis;
the course of diabetes mellitus, both type 1 and type 2;
hyperparathyroidism - despite the fact that this pathology is caused by a dysfunction of the endocrine system, it negatively affects the kidneys.

Loss of fluid through the respiratory tract occurs when a person has:

rhinitis of the hypertrophic variety;
adenoiditis - most often causes severe thirst in children;
night snoring - it is because of this factor that people wake up at night from dry mouth or feel thirsty in the morning.

The loss of water through the lungs is caused by such pathological conditions:

Increased sweating is the main source of why the human body lacks fluid. Such a condition can be both pathological and physiological. In the latter case, sweating is caused by intense physical activity and the hot season.

As for pathological increased sweating, it can occur due to:

thyrotoxicosis;
severe menopause, namely against the background of frequently recurring hot flashes;
acromegaly;
Hodgkin's lymphoma;
irrational use of medications;
a wide range of endocrine system dysfunction.

The mechanism of water loss through the intestines is based on any conditions that in their clinical picture have frequent vomiting or stool disorder in the form of diarrhea. It is also worth considering that thirst can be caused by concealment of hemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract. This is typical for such ailments:

malignant or benign intestinal tumors;
gastritis of any etiology;
peptic ulcer of the duodenum or stomach;
formation of external or internal hemorrhoids;
anal fissures, etc.

In addition, the following diseases or pathological conditions can lead to constant thirst:

hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver;
head injury;
extensive burns;
mental disorders, in particular schizophrenia;
the course of any infectious process;
dental ailments;
decrease in blood plasma osmolality;
neoplasms in the brain;
alcohol intoxication;
diseases of the blood system;
damage to the hypothalamus - it is in it that the center of thirst is located;
acute surgical pathologies of the abdominal organs - this includes inflammation of the appendix, perforated ulcer, cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.

Dry mouth and thirst can be caused by side effects of these medications:

diuretics;
antibacterial substances of the tetracycline series;
preparations containing lithium;
medications used in the treatment of mental disorders.

An important role in the development of the feeling of thirst is played by:

eating fatty, salty and spicy foods;
addiction to such a bad habit as smoking;
abuse of strong coffee and sweet carbonated drinks.

As for constant thirst during pregnancy, in such situations this is also considered a pathological manifestation, especially in cases where additional alarming symptoms appear. The only exception is the first trimester of pregnancy. During early pregnancy, almost all women suffer from toxicosis, which is characterized by profuse vomiting.

Symptoms

A constant feeling of thirst often acts as the first clinical sign and is almost never the only symptom.

In general, the symptoms will consist of those manifestations that are characteristic of the pathological condition that became the source of this symptom.

Nevertheless, the most common symptoms that complement constant thirst are considered to be:

dry mouth;
excretion of a large amount of light urine;
coating of the tongue, the shade of which can vary from yellowish-white to gray or black;
weakness and general malaise;
fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate - the appearance of such a sign is especially dangerous in combination with thirst in the later stages of pregnancy;
unpleasant odor or taste in the mouth;
attacks of nausea, which quite often end in vomiting;
violation of the act of defecation;
temperature increase;
severe skin itching;
shortness of breath and belching;
headaches and dizziness;
change in the shade of the skin, it may become pathologically red, pale or bluish;
frequent urge to urinate;
swelling of the lower extremities;
pain syndrome localized in the area of the affected organ;
decreased or complete lack of appetite;
sleep disturbance.

Patients need to remember that these are just some of the symptoms, the manifestation of which may be accompanied by a constant or strong feeling of thirst.

Diagnostics

If a person is constantly tormented by thirst, then, first of all, it is necessary to go for a consultation with a therapist. The doctor will carry out primary diagnostic measures, which will be aimed at:

collecting the patient’s life history;
studying the patient's medical history;
conducting a detailed physical examination, which must include assessing the condition of the skin, as well as measuring temperature, pulse and blood tone;
careful questioning of the patient;
general blood and urine analysis;
blood biochemistry;
microscopic examination of feces;
Ultrasound and radiography;
CT and MRI.

Once the preliminary cause of constant thirst has been established, the therapist will most likely refer the patient for examination to the following specialists:

If you experience constant thirst during pregnancy, you will also need to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Treatment

Only the attending physician can tell you what to do to relieve a condition in which a person is constantly thirsty. In general, a wide range of therapeutic techniques are used, which will depend on the underlying cause of this symptom.

In any case, treatment will include:

taking medications;
diet therapy, which is based on avoiding spicy and salty foods;
physiotherapeutic procedures;
use of traditional medicine recipes - can only be used after the approval of the attending physician;
minimally invasive surgical procedures;
open operations.

A gentle treatment regimen is selected for pregnant women and children.

Prevention

To avoid constant thirst, you must:

to refuse from bad habits;
minimize the consumption of fatty, spicy and salty foods;
enrich your diet with foods that contain a lot of water;
take medications strictly as prescribed by the doctor;
be fully examined in the clinic several times a year - for early detection of diseases whose symptoms include a similar manifestation.

Despite the wide range of pathological causes, with timely treatment, the prognosis will be favorable.

“Intense thirst” is observed in diseases:

Kidney abscess is a rather rare disease, which is characterized by the formation of a limited area of inflammation filled with a purulent infiltrate. The pathological focus is separated from the healthy tissues of this organ by a granulation shaft. The disease is one of the diseases requiring emergency surgical intervention.

Prostate adenoma (prostate adenoma) is essentially a somewhat outdated term, and therefore used today in a slightly different form - in the form of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate adenoma, the symptoms of which we will consider below, is more familiar in this definition. The disease is characterized by the appearance of a small nodule (possibly several nodules), which gradually increases over time. The peculiarity of this disease is that, unlike cancer in this area, prostate adenoma is a benign formation.

Alcohol intoxication is a complex of behavioral disorders, physiological and psychological reactions that usually begin to progress after drinking alcohol in large doses. The main reason is the negative impact of ethanol and its breakdown products on organs and systems, which cannot leave the body for a long time. This pathological condition is manifested by impaired coordination of movements, euphoria, impaired orientation in space, and loss of attentiveness. In severe cases, intoxication can lead to coma.

Kidney amyloidosis is a complex and dangerous pathology in which protein-carbohydrate metabolism is disrupted in the kidney tissue. As a result, the synthesis and accumulation of a specific substance – amyloid – occurs. It is a protein-polysaccharide compound, which in its basic properties is similar to starch. Normally, this protein is not produced in the body, so its formation is abnormal for humans and entails impaired renal function.

Anuria is a condition in which urine does not enter the bladder, and, as a result, is not excreted from it. In this condition, the amount of urine emitted per day is reduced to fifty milliliters. With this clinical symptom, there is not only a lack of fluid in the bladder, but also the urge to empty.

Botulism is a fairly serious disease of a toxic-infectious nature, the course of which leads to damage to the nervous system, spinal cord and medulla oblongata. Botulism, the symptoms of which appear when botulinum toxin-containing products, aerosols and water enter the body, as a result of a complex of processes also leads to the development of acute and progressive respiratory failure. As a result of the lack of proper treatment for botulism, death cannot be ruled out.

Many people have heard of such an ailment as dropsy. But few people know what this disease is and how it manifests itself. It is also worth knowing the answer to the most exciting question - how to get rid of dropsy? This information is necessary to know, since the pathological process can occur in absolutely any person. Dropsy can develop even in a newborn baby. Causes Types Symptoms Ascites Hydrocele of the gallbladder Hydrocele in pregnant women Congenital hydrocele Hydrocele of the testicle Hydrocele of the spermatic cord Complications of hydrocele Recommendations of a specialist Hydrocele or hydrocele is a pathological process in which transudate (excess fluid) accumulates in the subcutaneous tissue and the space between the tissues. Most often, this pathology develops in the body against the background of diseases of the following organs: heart; endocrine glands; kidney; liver.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease during pregnancy in which there is an increase in blood glucose levels. It is noteworthy that it develops only in late pregnancy. The main reason for the formation of the disease is hormonal imbalance. However, there are a large number of other predisposing factors and risk groups.

Gigantism is a disease that progresses due to increased production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland (endocrine gland). This causes rapid growth of the limbs and torso. In addition, patients often experience decreased sexual function and developmental inhibition. If gigantism progresses, there is a high probability that the person will be infertile.

Hyperaldosteronism is a fairly frequently diagnosed pathological condition that develops against the background of increased secretion of an adrenal hormone such as aldosterone. The pathology most often occurs in adults, but can also affect children.

Hyperglycemia is a pathological condition that progresses due to an increase in the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream against the background of diseases of the endocrine system, including diabetes mellitus. Normal blood sugar levels are 3.3 to 5.5 mmol/L. With glycemia, the indicators increase to 6–7 mmol/l. The ICD-10 code is R73.9.

Hyperinsulinemia is a clinical syndrome characterized by increased insulin and decreased blood sugar. Such a pathological process can lead not only to disruption of the functioning of some body systems, but also to hypoglycemic coma, which in itself poses a particular danger to human life.

Hypernatremia is a disease characterized by an increase in serum sodium levels to 145 mmol/L or higher. In addition, a low fluid content in the body is detected. Pathology has a fairly high mortality rate.

Hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex is a pathological condition in which there is a rapid multiplication of the tissues that make up these glands. As a result, the organ increases in size and its functioning is impaired. The disease is diagnosed both in adult men and women, and in young children. It is worth noting that the most common form of pathology is congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In any case, the disease is quite dangerous, so when its first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a medical facility for a comprehensive examination and prescribing an effective method of therapy.

Hyperthyroidism (or thyrotoxicosis) is a clinical condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessively active thyroid hormones - triiodothyronine and thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism, the symptoms of which manifest themselves as a result of oversaturation of the blood with these hormones and their distribution by the blood flow throughout the body, including tissues, organs and systems, leads to the acceleration of all processes in it, which negatively affects the general condition of the patient in a number of ways.

Hypomenorrhea (syn. scanty periods) is a disruption of the menstrual cycle when a small amount of bloody fluid is released from the genital tract (less than 50 milliliters). Pathology can be either primary or secondary.

Hyponatremia is the most common form of water-electrolyte imbalance, when there is a critical decrease in sodium concentration in the blood serum. In the absence of timely assistance, the possibility of death cannot be ruled out.

Glomerulonephritis in children is an infectious-allergic pathology in which the inflammatory process is localized in the renal glomeruli. Among specialists in the field of pediatrics, it is considered the most common acquired childhood disease.

Diabetic nephropathy is a process of pathological changes in the renal vessels, which is caused by diabetes mellitus. This disease leads to the development of chronic renal failure and there is a high risk of death. The diagnosis is made through not only a physical examination of the patient, but also requires laboratory and instrumental examination methods.

Dysentery, also defined as shigellosis, is a disease from the group of acute intestinal infections; this group itself refers to diseases transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Dysentery, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in the form of diarrhea and general intoxication, tends to be widespread, which implies the possibility of an epidemic or pandemic when detected.

Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes mellitus, which without adequate and timely treatment can lead to diabetic coma or even death. The condition begins to progress when the human body cannot fully use glucose as an energy source because it lacks the hormone insulin. In this case, the compensatory mechanism is activated, and the body begins to use incoming fats as an energy source.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that is caused by specific pathogens of the Leptospira genus. The pathological process primarily affects the capillaries, as well as the liver, kidneys and muscles.

Fever of unknown origin (syn. LNG, hyperthermia) is a clinical case in which elevated body temperature is the leading or only clinical sign. This condition is indicated when the values persist for 3 weeks (in children - longer than 8 days) or more.

Diabetes insipidus is a syndrome caused by a lack of vasopressin in the body, which is also defined as antidiuretic hormone. Diabetes insipidus, the symptoms of which are impaired water metabolism and manifest as constant thirst with simultaneous increased polyuria (increased urine production), is, however, a rather rare disease.

Nephritis in medicine refers to a whole group of various inflammatory kidney diseases. All of them have a different etiology, as well as a development mechanism, symptomatic and pathomorphological features. In this group, clinicians include local or widespread processes during which renal tissue grows, partially or completely destroys.

Nephrosis is a group of pathological processes that primarily affect the renal tubules. These disorders are dystrophic in nature, that is, the chemical composition of cells and tissues changes, and the functioning of the renal tubules deteriorates. All these processes occur when fat and protein metabolism are disrupted.

Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder of the functioning of the kidneys, characterized by severe loss of protein, which is excreted from the body along with urine, a decrease in albumin in the blood and impaired metabolism of proteins and fats. The disease is accompanied by edema localized throughout the body and increased blood clotting ability. Diagnosis is made based on changes in blood and urine tests. Treatment is complex and consists of diet and drug therapy.

Smallpox (or smallpox as it was once called) is a highly contagious viral infection that affects only humans. Smallpox, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in the form of general intoxication in combination with characteristic rashes covering the skin and mucous membranes, ends for patients who have suffered it with partial or complete loss of vision and, in almost all cases, scars remaining after ulcers.

Acute viral hepatitis is an infectious liver lesion that is caused by specific microorganisms. Depending on which bacterium became the source of the disease, the form of hepatitis will be determined. In addition to specific bacteria, the development of such pathology may be caused by other, unknown microorganisms. There are also a number of predisposing factors that increase the risk of developing the disease.

Pancreatitis in children is an autocatalytic enzymatic-inflammatory disease that affects the pancreas in a child and can lead to the development of gastroenterological diseases with other localization. It should be noted that this disease occurs not only in children, but also in adults.

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Symptoms and treatment of human diseases

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Thirst: causes of development, diagnosis and methods of treatment of associated pathologies

From a physiological point of view, severe thirst or polydipsia is the body’s response to a violation of the ratio of water and various salts contained in its tissues. A high concentration of salts in the blood plasma and tissue fluid negatively affects the osmotic pressure, which ensures the shape of cells and their normal functioning. As a result, the elasticity of the skin is lost, facial features become sharper, and a person may experience headaches and dizziness. Therefore, the lack of fluid in the cells causes a very strong desire of the body to restore water balance.

The feeling of unquenchable thirst or polydipsia decreases or completely disappears when consuming large volumes of water - more than two liters per day (for an adult).

Causes of extreme thirst

Polydipsia occurs due to intense activation of the drinking center located in the brain. This can usually be caused by physiological or pathological reasons.

Physiological reasons that cause severe thirst include:

Increased loss of water through sweat during intense exercise or heat.
Dehydration of the body in case of poisoning accompanied by diarrhea.
Intoxication of the body with alcohol breakdown products, for the natural removal (through the kidneys) of which a large amount of water is required.
The air in the room is too dry, causing the body to lose moisture. This situation usually occurs during the heating season and when air conditioners are operating. The problem of normalizing humidity can be solved by using humidifiers or indoor plants that increase the level of moisture in the room.
Eating spicy, salty or smoked foods, as well as excessive consumption of coffee and sweet sodas.
Consumption of water with insufficient mineral salts, so-called soft water. It is thanks to mineral salts that the body better absorbs and retains water. Therefore, it is advisable to choose mineral waters of the sodium chloride group with a sufficient salt content for drinking.
Consuming water with excessive salt content also negatively affects the body's water balance, since salt in excess prevents cells from absorbing water.
Consumption of food and drinks that have diuretic properties. These foods cause dehydration and a strong desire to drink.

If the physiological causes of polydipsia are excluded, at least temporarily, but the feeling of thirst does not stop, you should immediately consult a therapist and undergo all the necessary research, since the causes of this problem may be pathological in nature.

Pathological causes of polydipsia include:

The development of diabetes mellitus, which at first is always accompanied by frequent and abundant urine output, which in turn dehydrates the body and causes thirst. The development of this disease may also be indicated by the following accompanying symptoms: skin itching, dizziness, periodic headaches, sudden weight gain.
Diabetes insipidus is a disorder of the endocrine system, which is accompanied by intensive excretion of water through the kidneys (several liters of light-colored urine per day). If you have this problem, you should consult an endocrinologist. The main causes of diabetes insipidus are neurosurgical interventions or brain injuries.
Hyperparathyroidism is a disorder of the parathyroid glands, in which calcium is washed out of the bone tissue. And since calcium is osmotically active, it “takes” water with it. Other symptoms may indicate the development of this endocrine disease:
- white urine;
- sudden weight loss;
- muscle weakness;
- increased fatigue;
- painful sensations in the legs;
- early tooth loss.
Kidney diseases, which are usually accompanied by swelling, dry mouth, and problematic urination. Sick kidneys are not able to retain the volumes of water necessary for its full functioning in the body. Most often, the kidneys suffer from disorders such as acute and chronic pyelonephritis, primary and secondary scarred kidney, glomerulonephritis, hydronephrosis and chronic renal failure.
Chronic stress and nervous strain, as well as more serious mental disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia). Mental problems can provoke disruption of the thirst regulation center, which is located in the hypothalamus. According to statistics, women most often experience this cause of extreme thirst. As a rule, the development of a mental disorder may be indicated simultaneously with an undying desire to drink and symptoms such as drowsiness, tearfulness and irritability.
Brain tumor, stroke and other focal lesions and injuries of the brain, which can disrupt the functioning of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for the central regulation of thirst.
Pathological problems with the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), accompanied by constant hidden bleeding, which often causes a feeling of thirst. Most often, polydipsia is caused by an intestinal tumor, hemorrhoids, etc. To diagnose the presence of hidden bleeding, first of all, you need to take a stool test.
Generalized hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of a pathological nature. This disorder may indicate the development of diseases such as:
- thyrotoxicosis;
- acromegaly;
- pathological menopause;
- Hodgkin's lymphoma;
- other endocrine system disorders.

Increased non-physiological sweating is a reason for a visit to an endocrinologist.

Diseases that may be indicated by severe thirst combined with nausea

Most often, these symptoms are combined with:

In addition, the combination of polydipsia and nausea may indicate diseases, the development of which causes other associated symptoms:

A white coating on the tongue, belching, heartburn, dryness and bitterness in the mouth may indicate problems with the gallbladder (cholecystitis, pancreatitis or gastritis). The same symptoms may occur during the use of certain antibiotics and antihistamines.
Burning gums and tongue, a metallic taste in the mouth, combined with nausea and thirst can be a concern when you have gum disease.
Heartburn, a feeling of fullness and pain in the stomach may indicate the development of gastritis of the stomach.
Violation of the body's water balance and dry mouth, bitterness, white or yellow coating on the tongue indicate a malfunction of the thyroid gland.
Nausea, polydipsia in combination with other painful symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract may indicate the development of central nervous system diseases (psychosis, neurosis, amenorrhea, neurotic disorders).

It is important to understand that if thirst and nausea bother you for several days, you cannot cope without medical help. You should consult a doctor who will professionally assess the associated symptoms; pass all the necessary tests and undergo a series of diagnostic studies. All these activities will help determine what kind of pathology you are suffering from.

Extreme thirst and medications

It is worth noting that polydipsia can be caused by taking medications that help remove moisture from the body. It can be:

In addition, some medications can cause increased sweating and thirst (for example, acetylsalicylic acid), which is usually listed on their list of side effects.

Among the popular drugs that make many patients thirsty are Metformin, an antidiabetic agent used in the treatment of:

Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2.
Impaired glucose tolerance.
Gynecological diseases.
Endocrinological disorders.

Also, this drug is used to normalize body weight, since its active substance reduces insulin production, significantly reducing appetite. During the use of Metformin, a carbohydrate-free diet should be followed, otherwise side effects from the gastrointestinal tract are possible - nausea, vomiting, loose stools, metallic taste in the mouth.

It is important to understand that with a competent approach to the use of Metformin in compliance with all the recommendations specified in the instructions for this drug, any side effects are excluded, including dehydration and thirst.

Polydipsia during pregnancy

As you know, the human body consists of 80% water, the sufficient presence of which in every cell guarantees the normal functioning of the entire organism. During pregnancy, every woman is subject to increased stress and challenges. Very often, the expectant mother’s body suffers from thirst and water imbalance, which can cause a slowdown in metabolic processes and lead to pathological changes in the mother’s body and the development of the fetus.

The main causes of extreme thirst in pregnant women:

Formation of amniotic fluid. With each week of fetal development, the volume of amniotic fluid increases, which means the amount of necessary water increases, and accordingly polydipsia increases.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman needs more fluid to remove toxins and waste, since the undeveloped organs of the fetus are not yet able to neutralize them on their own.
Changes in the structure of the circulatory system that occur up to the 20th week of gestation. Since a pregnant woman's body has to work more intensively, there is an increased need for fluid, the lack of which leads to blood thickening. With thick blood consistency, the risk of blood clots, ischemia and other pathologies of the cardiovascular system increases.
Change in food tastes. Since during pregnancy a woman tends to overindulge in sweet, salty, spicy or fatty foods, her need for additional fluid increases, which helps digest and remove excess salts from the body.
Bacterial and viral infections, intestinal and respiratory disorders can also cause polydipsia.
Gestational diabetes mellitus, the development of which is accompanied by thirst and dry mouth. This disease can be detected using urine and stool tests.

It is worth noting that there are situations when, according to urine tests and accompanying symptoms, a pregnant woman needs to reduce the amount of fluid consumed. Otherwise, gestosis may develop and the risk of premature birth increases.

Diagnosis of polydipsia

Since polydipsia can be a symptom of a rather serious pathology of some body system, the diagnosis of thirst is a very complex and lengthy process, which includes:

patient interview;
inspection;
passing laboratory tests. Typically, blood and urine tests are done first. If the cause of increased thirst is not established, then tests for hormones, liver and kidney tests are prescribed;
hardware study of individual organs of the patient (radiography of the lungs, ECG, ultrasound, etc.).

Note! If thirst is non-physiological in nature, then the body, in most cases, is first diagnosed for the presence of diabetes or diabetes insipidus, as well as disorders in the functioning of the kidneys or the cardiovascular system, since these are the problems most often found in patients.

Prevention and treatment of polydipsia

The main task of the prevention and treatment of increased thirst is to restore the water-salt balance, as well as to identify and eliminate the factors that cause the body to feel unwell.

Increase the volume of fluid you drink to two liters per day. To prevent the problem of increased thirst from making itself felt for a long time, it is advisable to drink half a cup of purified water every hour.
Normalize the humidity in the room where you are, since dry air increases thirst. To increase humidity, you can add indoor plants or purchase a humidifier.
Avoid consuming fatty, spicy and salty foods, various dietary supplements and medications that cause thirst, as well as snacks, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and sweet soda.
Get rid of bad habits (smoking).
Half an hour before starting training or other physical activity, drink half a glass of water.
Monitor the quality of your urination. If your urine is too light or dark in color, you need to reconsider your fluid intake. With normal water content in the body, urine has a moderate yellow color without a strong odor.

If the physiological factors that cause thirst are completely eliminated, but dehydration does not stop, you should immediately go to a therapist or endocrinologist at your place of residence, who will prescribe all the necessary tests and conduct a thorough examination of the body. If there is a head injury, after which increased thirst began to be observed, it is necessary to seek advice from a traumatologist and neurologist.

It is important to understand that an increased feeling of thirst is not a cause, but a symptom of some illness. And that it is quite possible that we are talking about very serious diseases. Therefore, the appearance of polydipsia should never be ignored.

Evtushenko Oleg, endocrinologist

The information is provided for informational purposes only. Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of disease, consult a doctor. There are contraindications, a doctor's consultation is required. The site may contain content prohibited for viewing by persons under 18 years of age.

The manifestation of thirst (polydipsia) is quite normal and understandable after sports training, hot weather, or after eating salty, spicy foods. Thirst appears when the body's fluid supply decreases. But it happens that a person constantly wants to drink, no matter how much liquid he has already drunk.

Constant thirst, the reasons for its appearance are varied. Today we will talk about these reasons on the pages of our website www.site.

The amount of fluid in the body decreases due to increased sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea. The body quickly loses moisture due to elevated body temperature, when on a diet, as well as from prolonged exposure to the sun. Diuretics and steroids especially contribute to fluid loss.

When the amount of fluid decreases, the body draws moisture from saliva. Therefore, the oral mucosa becomes dry. Facial features also become sharper, the skin becomes flabby, and folds form on it. It is urgent to replenish the water supply in the body, as otherwise, headaches, weakness, fatigue, and a feeling of decreased overall tone and performance will appear.

What causes constant thirst?

Diabetes: With this disease, a person drinks a lot of water, but he is still constantly thirsty. If severe thirst occurs when using insulin or sugar-lowering drugs, an exacerbation of the disease is expected. In these cases, you should get tested for high sugar levels, and then immediately start taking medications that lower glucose levels.

Brain injury: After head injuries or neurosurgical operations, severe thirst also occurs. It begins acutely; a person can drink 10 or even 20 liters of water per day. Diabetes insipidus begins to develop, and a deficiency of hormones appears that limit urination.

Excess of hormones: In this case, the function of the parathyroid glands increases, which is accompanied by extreme thirst. In this case, pain appears in the bones, fatigue, rapid weakness, and sudden weight loss occur. The urine becomes whitish due to calcium being washed out of the bones. If you have such symptoms, you should consult an endocrinologist.

Kidney disease: Diseased kidneys lose their ability to effectively retain water, causing an increased desire to drink. Diseases such as pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, hydronephrosis, polycystic kidney disease cause an increased need for fluid in the body. Also, these ailments are characterized by the presence of edema. A serious complication is renal failure - a dangerous condition for human life. To avoid this, you need to urgently contact a specialist nephrologist.

Taking certain medications: Thirst can be triggered by taking clonidine, which is used to lower blood pressure, taking tetracycline antibiotics, phenothiazine, lithium. Also, self-administration of diuretics, such as hypothiazide, furosemide, can also cause a constant desire to drink water.

Also, many people with an unbalanced psyche constantly suffer from a lack of fluid. This mainly affects women who are prone to whims, irritable, and conflictual. Drug addicts suffer from constant thirst. Therefore, if your teenage child puts a cup of water near the bed at night, pay attention to this.

Here are some other reasons that cause constant thirst:

Excessive consumption of strong coffee, alcohol, and salty foods makes you want to drink. This is also facilitated by some internal infections, burns, cirrhosis, hepatitis, dehydration, various bleeding, and mental disorders.

How to get rid of constant thirst?

Try to drink before you feel the urge to drink water. To prevent thirst from making itself felt, drink half a cup of clean water every hour. Increase the amount of fluid you drink if you are in a dry, warm room for a long time. It is recommended to drink eight glasses of liquid throughout the day.

Watch your urination. To rid your body of dehydration, you should drink an amount of fluid so that your urine is not dark or too light in color. An indicator of sufficient fluid content is urine of normal, moderate yellow color.

Drink clean water during physical work and sports training. During hard work, a person loses from 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid and only after that does he feel thirsty. Therefore, to avoid dehydration, drink half a glass of water 15 minutes before starting work or playing sports. Then drink water every 15 minutes. during and 15 minutes after finishing work or training.

If your thirst is constant, you drink a large amount of liquid per day, but you still want to drink, you need to take a blood test to check for high sugar levels. Since diabetes may be the cause of constant thirst, you need to undergo a medical examination and, if necessary, adhere to a special treatment program and diet.

So we talked about why constant thirst appears, the reasons, and how to get rid of it. If the symptoms described above appear, you should immediately seek advice from an endocrinologist or therapist. If you want to drink after a head injury, then you need to see a neurologist or traumatologist. Having established the cause of constant thirst, it is easier to get rid of this obsessive state. Be healthy!

The most common causes of excessive thirst are: excessive sweating during heat, during exercise, bronchitis, dehydration due to diarrhea, and elevated body temperature. Constant thirst occurs with a water-electrolyte imbalance. In the body, salts and liquid clearly interact. The main ions that can determine the level of salt in the blood plasma are potassium and sodium. As for negatively charged ions - anions, which determine the salt composition of tissue fluid, these include chlorides. The water-salt balance in the body ensures the vital activity of cells and determines the osmotic pressure in the tissues. If the water-electrolyte balance in the tissues is disturbed, constant thirst appears. What can provoke such manifestations and the occurrence of dry mouth and the desire to drink?

Groups of causes of constant thirst and dry mouth

There are 5 reasons for disturbances in the water-salt balance in the body and, accordingly, constant thirst:

The process of removing fluid from the body increases.
The amount of fluid in the body is reduced.
The amount of salts in the body increases.
The process of removing salt from the body is reduced.
Increased thirst in diseases of the brain.

Reason number 1 - The process of removing fluid from the body increases

There are several ways through which fluid is excreted from the body:

kidneys;
leather;
intestines;
Airways.

Excretion of fluid through the kidneys

Frequent urination occurs when taking diuretics or other drugs that can increase the removal of water from the body. Phytopreparations and weight loss products have a quick diuretic effect.

Drinks that contain large amounts of ethanol (beer) can also provoke increased urine production and subsequent thirst.

Unquenchable thirst coupled with excessive excretion of light-colored urine (more than one liter per day) can become a symptom of diabetes insipidus. This disease causes water incontinence in the kidneys and its rapid circulation. It is necessary to solve such a problem after consultation with an endocrinologist.

In addition, excessive urination is inherent in the following diseases: chronic glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis (acute and chronic), kidney shrinkage (primary or secondary). These ailments increase urination, the body becomes dehydrated faster and severe thirst occurs. Such conditions must be treated together with a urologist and therapist.

With osmotic diuresis, fluid is “washed out” of the body along with salts or glucose. For example, when glucose is lost, severe thirst also occurs, that is, during the development of diabetes mellitus. A clue that excessive urine output and thirst are causes of diabetes may be itchy skin.

Loss of fluid through the skin

If constant thirst is explained by excessive sweating and there are no additional symptoms, the cause of dry mouth is excessive exercise or heat. These are harmless reasons in which thirst is eliminated by one-time fluid replenishment.

If excessive sweating and severe thirst are accompanied by increasing pathological symptoms and deterioration of the condition, you should immediately go for examination. Such signs may indicate the development of thyrotoxicosis, pathological menopause, a number of endocrine diseases, and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Excretion of water through the intestines

In a situation where there is severe vomiting and frequent loose stools, a feeling of thirst will be present due to tissue dehydration. This may be a sign of diarrhea, which is a less dangerous disease, or an intestinal tumor, which is a more serious disease.

Loss of water through the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract

Dry mouth and thirst appear during mouth breathing: during rhinitis, enlarged adenoids, chronic snoring. If mouth breathing is rapid, your mouth dries out even more and you always want to drink. Breathing becomes more frequent due to bronchitis or pneumonia, heart failure or fever. Also, respiratory failure can develop against the background of cerebral oxygen starvation.

Reason 2. – The amount of fluid entering the body decreases

If there is a lack of fluid, a person will feel dry mouth and thirst. This is a natural process if you drink very little water per day. The level of fluid in the body depends on gender, age, weight. Even the area of activity partially determines how much water a person needs to drink. On average, the body needs 1.5-2 liters of water per day, and during intense training, in hot weather or heavy physical labor, you need to drink more than 2 liters.

Reason 3. – The amount of salts in the body increases

If you eat a lot of salty or smoked food, salts will begin to accumulate in the body and be absorbed into the blood. As a result, osmotic pressure in the tissues will begin to increase and the body will need to turn on protection - thirst, in order to quickly remove toxins and restore the balance between salts and water.

Reason 4. – The process of removing salt from the body is reduced

Retention of salts in tissues occurs in chronic renal failure. Therefore, it is extremely important to establish the cause of salt retention in order to prevent the critical development of the disease.

Reason 5. – Brain dysfunction

The so-called “thirst center,” under the control of which the desire to drink arises or is dulled, is located in the hypothalamus. During problems with the brain, these functions are disrupted, thirst arises as a result of mental disorders, brain injuries, and brain tumors.

Monitor the amount of fluid you drink throughout the day.
Avoid medications that make you thirsty and foods and drinks that make you constantly thirsty.
Seek advice from a physician, endocrinologist or urologist.
Take basic tests to clarify the situation: a general urine and blood test, a biochemical blood test, an X-ray of the lungs and an ECG.
Further clarification of the reasons for constant thirst follows after receiving the results of basic tests.

Thirst can be a simple signal from the body that there is not enough water and reserves need to be replenished. But, strong and constant thirst can also serve as the first “bell” of serious electrolyte imbalances and the development of diseases. It is better to consult a specialist and find out the true causes of thirst.

If dry mouth occurs when you are nervous or have lost a lot of fluid, this is normal. But if the feeling of constant thirst bothers you for no apparent reason, you need to consult a doctor.

Usually, the brain uses the feeling of thirst to signal that the body is dehydrated and needs to replenish lost fluids. Normally, this sensation disappears after the water balance in the body is restored. If thirst and dry mouth are constantly disturbing, for no apparent reason, this is a sign of illness.

The phenomenon when you drink a lot of liquid, but cannot get drunk, is called polydipsia in medicine - it is a symptom of many diseases. Dry mouth often occurs with xerostomia, which is what doctors call the condition when the mouth does not produce enough saliva. Often these phenomena accompany each other and have similar causes. Less commonly, xerostomia, that is, dry mouth, exists without the feeling of thirst. Simply rinse your mouth and your health will temporarily improve.

Saliva plays a big role in maintaining oral health, so persistent dry mouth can cause various problems:

burning or soreness in the mouth;
cracks and peeling on the lips;
bad breath;
decreased or distorted sense of taste;
oral infections, such as oral thrush or other types of stomatitis;
caries and gum inflammation;
difficulty swallowing food (dysphagia);
hoarseness of voice.

If you have dry mouth, it is important to take good care of your teeth to reduce your risk of dental disease.

Causes

Why do you want to drink?

Dehydration- the most common reason why you want to drink. Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in through food and drink. This is possible in hot weather or during active physical work, when you sweat a lot. Sometimes dehydration develops due to illness. Especially often, the causes of dehydration are intestinal infections with vomiting and diarrhea or other diseases with high fever, especially in children. Dehydration can greatly worsen your health, reduce performance, and cause headaches and drowsiness. Severe dehydration is dangerous to health and life. Learn more about how to protect yourself from dehydration.
Food, especially salty and spicy may cause extreme thirst and dry mouth. Sometimes thirst is caused by simple overeating. Therefore, if you are always thirsty, remember what you ate the day before.
Medicines, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, diuretics and some herbal medications sometimes cause dry mouth and thirst. These medications may affect the salivary glands, inhibiting their function, or increase the body's secretion of water. Talk to your prescriber about changing your medication if it causes you symptoms that are bothersome.
Diabetes accompanied by polydipsia, as well as the need to urinate frequently, increased fatigue and sometimes itchy skin. Dry mouth and thirst are often the first symptoms of diabetes, when a person is not yet aware of his problems. In diabetes, the body does not absorb glucose (sugar), which is needed for energy. High glucose concentrations cause the kidneys to produce more urine, which increases fluid loss and makes you want to drink constantly.
Diabetes insipidus- a rare disease associated with impaired kidney function, which begins to produce too much urine, so you constantly want to drink. The disease most often develops in children and young people and is associated either with a lack of a hormone called antidiuretic, or with a decrease in the sensitivity of the kidneys to it. The cause of the disease, for example, may be injury or a brain tumor.
Pregnancy very often accompanied by a feeling of thirst, as well as frequent urination. As a rule, these symptoms are associated with normal changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy and do not require concern. However, in rare cases, they may indicate the development of gestational diabetes. Therefore, all women should monitor their blood sugar levels several times during pregnancy. To do this, you need to contact a antenatal clinic.

Causes of dry mouth

The causes of dry mouth can be all of the above diseases and conditions, as well as some others, which usually do not lead to the development of thirst, but only cause a desire to constantly wet the lips or oral mucosa.

Nasal congestion with a runny nose, after nasal tamponade (see “Nosebleeds”) and in other conditions, it forces you to breathe through your mouth. As a result, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and oropharynx becomes very dry, especially in rooms with central heating or in hot weather.
Radiation therapy head or neck area can lead to inflammation of the salivary glands and dry mouth.
Sjögren's syndrome- a chronic disease of the immune system, when it begins to destroy its own glands: salivary, lacrimal and some others. Symptoms include severe dryness in the mouth and nose, a feeling of sand in the eyes and lack of tears. The treatment and diagnosis of this pathology is usually carried out by a rheumatologist.
Mumps (mumps)- an infectious disease of the salivary glands, traditionally considered a childhood infection. During illness, the production of saliva may be impaired, causing a feeling of dry mouth.

Dry mouth and thirst: what to do?

As a rule, the feeling of constant thirst and dry mouth quickly go away under the influence of treatment of the underlying disease that caused these symptoms. However, if it is impossible to get rid of the cause, or treatment requires a long time, you will need symptomatic therapy, that is, measures that can make you feel better.

For example, the following tips can help you cope with dry mouth:

increase fluid intake— take 1-2 sips of cool water or unsweetened drinks as often as possible;
suck sugar-free candy or chew gum- it stimulates the functioning of the salivary glands;
hold ice cubes in your mouth- the ice will melt slowly and moisturize the mucous membrane;
avoid alcohol(including alcohol-based mouthwashes), caffeine and smoking can all make your complaints worse.

If the above measures do not help, your doctor, often a dentist, may suggest artificial saliva substitutes. These are products in the form of gels, sprays or lozenges that moisturize the oral cavity. Saliva substitutes are used on demand, that is, when discomfort occurs in the mouth, including before and during meals.

If your dry mouth is caused by radiation therapy or Sjögren's syndrome, your doctor may prescribe a salivary stimulant, such as pilocarpine. Like all medications, pilocarpine has its own indications and contraindications, so it is not recommended to take it without a doctor’s prescription.

Which doctor should I contact if I have dry mouth and thirst?

If you are constantly thirsty and have a feeling of dry mouth, consult a general practitioner. He will conduct an initial diagnosis and be able to name the most likely causes of your complaints. After the examination, the therapist may refer you to specialists:

endocrinologist - if diabetes or other hormonal problems are suspected;
dentist - if dry mouth is caused by problems in the mouth or diseases of the salivary glands; The dentist prescribes saliva substitutes and oral moisturizers, and also deals with oral hygiene and treats concomitant diseases with xerostomia.

You can independently choose good doctors using the NaPopravku service by clicking on the links above or visiting the section

by Notes of the Wild Mistress

Our body is designed so cunningly and wisely that the slightest malfunction in the functioning of some organs and systems immediately sends SOS signals. For example, what can a constant thirst that overcomes a person mean?

A simple feature of the body or a harbinger of some kind of disease? There are several reasons for this, let's try to figure it out.

1. Lack of fluid.

This most often happens during the hot season. If a person drinks little, the body “turns on” a kind of protective mechanism that saves him from dehydration. At the same time, the mucous membrane of the mouth dries out, facial features become sharpened, eyes become sunken, and the skin becomes dry and flabby. The kidneys “save” precious moisture, so a person very rarely visits the toilet.

What to do: in the heat, with increased physical activity, heavy sweating, bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea, you need to drink much more. As soon as the water balance in the body is restored, thirst will pass.

2. Diabetes.

Constant thirst and frequent urination are the first symptoms of an insidious and formidable disease. This is due to an imbalance of hormones that regulate water-salt metabolism.

What to do: take tests to find out your blood sugar level, and if it is elevated, immediately consult an endocrinologist who will prescribe appropriate treatment, in particular, medications that lower glucose levels.

3. Lots of hormones.

Intense thirst often occurs with increased function of the parathyroid glands (they are located in the neck near the thyroid gland). The disease also causes other changes: pain in the bones, fatigue, muscle weakness, sudden weight loss, and teeth may fall out. Calcium leached from bones turns urine white.

What to do: consult an endocrinologist who will prescribe appropriate treatment.

4. Problematic kidneys.

Thirst is almost always noted in pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, hydronephrosis, polycystic kidney disease, renal failure and other diseases. This is due to the fact that the affected kidneys are not able to retain water, resulting in an increased need for fluid. Moreover, thirst persists even when the amount of urine excreted decreases and edema appears.

What to do: Be sure to consult a nephrologist. Ignoring the disease, you can wait for serious complications, when only hemodialysis or kidney transplantation can help a person.

5. Neurological problems.

Sometimes intense thirst occurs after brain injuries or neurosurgical operations. The disease, as a rule, occurs abruptly, the patient can even indicate the day and hour when this happened. diabetes insipidus develops. At the same time, patients can drink ten to twenty liters of water per day, but the thirst still does not go away. It's all about the deficiency of hormones that limit urination.

What to do: immediately consult a doctor, preferably a neurologist.

6. The drugs are to blame.

Taking certain drugs causes dry mouth, so a person drinks a lot. So, in particular, there are some drugs to lower blood pressure, antihistamines, drugs for bronchial asthma, etc.

What to do: Talk to your doctor about whether these drugs can be replaced.

7. Thirst on a “nervous basis.”

Such "psychological" thirst is observed most often in women. In addition, whims, irritability, tearfulness, and a depressed mood are added to it.

What to do: try to "deceive" your body, wet your lips, lean into the water and make a few swallowing movements, rinse your mouth. Sometimes this is enough to make such pseudo-thirst disappear.

Valeria Bespalova