Causes for Polydipsia Excessive Thirst, Always Thirsty, Extreme Thirst, Increased Thirst Symptoms
Does it seem like you have thirst on your mind all the time? Can’t quite get that thirsty feeling quenched? Always thirsty has you on a drink hunt too often?
Polydipsia is the termed used to describe an abnormal excessive thirsty feeling. Thirst is an urge to drink and drinking lots of water is recommended to maintain health.
However, there is a point where the extreme thirst urge may go a bit to far. An increased thirst beyond healthy maintenance takes you into the realm of a symptom for an underlying disease, psychological issue or an environmental condition.
Short and long term causes for excessive thirst, always thirsty and extreme thirst include:
- fever
- burns
- stress
- sepsis
- anxiety
- polyuria
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- diabetes
- cirrohsis
- dry mouth
- liver failure
- hot flashes
- dehydration
- heart failure
- kidney failure
- gastroenteritis
- hypercalcemia
- eating disorder
- hot, dry climate
- juvenile diabetes
- severe infections
- high blood sugar
- profuse sweating
- frequent urination
- sickle cell anemia
- diabetes insipidus
- Fanconi syndrome
- excessive bleeding
- salty or spicy meal
- type 1 & 2 diabetes
- hyperparathyroidism
- dengue shock syndrome
- not drinking enough water
- growth hormone deficiency
- excessive loss of water & salt
- hyperaldosteronism ~ adrenal gland disorder
Some drugs and supplements can directly or indirectly cause increased thirst, for instance:
- vitamin D toxicity
- topiramate~ epilepsy
- pennyroyal oil toxicity
- ritonavir, indinavir ~ HIV
- naproxen~ osteoarthritis
- lithium~ bipolar disorder
- tamoxifen ~ breast cancer
- actitretin ~ severe psoriasis
- bortezomib ~ multiple myeloma
- modafinil, armodafinil ~ narcolepsy
- diuretics ~ edema, high blood pressure
- miglitol, pioglitazone ~ type 2 diabetes
- formoterol overdose ~ asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis
- torsemide, bumetanide, indapamide, furosemide ~ heart disease, liver disease, high blood pressure
A very strong, constant urge to drink may be a sign of a psychological problem known as psychogenic polydipsia. This mental disorder causes a you to drink too much, and you may not actually be thirsty.
Pay your health care professional a visit if:
- urinating more than 5 quarts/day
- excessive, extreme thirst is persistent & unexplained
- thirsty feeling is accompanied by other symptoms ~ blurry vision, fatigue
Actual thirst is your signal to replace water loss. Normally, drinking should quench your thirsty feeling if you are in a healthy condition.
Health Blurbs of Interest:
- Many Causes for Dysuria Painful, Burning Urination
- Causes of Hematuria Blood in Your Urine for Blood Urination
- Causes of Abnormal Smell (Odor) or Color of Your Urine (Pee)
- About Cloudy and Smelly Urine of Bladder or Urinary Tract Infection(s)
- Kegel Exercises for Bladder Control Muscle Improvement and Natural Incontinence Treatment
- Proteinuria Causes Foamy Urine and Swelling Symptoms of Kidney Disease for Protein Urine Test
- Interstitial Cystitis Causes Frequent, Burning, Painful Urination (Pee), Bladder, Lower Abdominal Pain Symptoms
