Ask a doc: ‘Why am I always thirsty — and what should I do about it?’

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If you are always thirsty although you strive your greatest to drink water and keep hydrated, there could also be health-related causes.

Beyond impacting your high quality of life, extreme thirst may be a symptom of some medical situations.

Fox News Digital checked in with two medical doctors to flesh out the frequent causes behind fixed water cravings.

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Here’s a deep dive.

What causes extreme thirst?

While there are numerous causes a individual could also be feeling extra thirsty than traditional, there are some frequent culprits.

Man drinking water

Beyond impacting your high quality of life, extreme thirst may be a symptom of some medical situations. (iStock)

Those embrace dehydration, metabolic issues comparable to diabetes or excessive blood calcium ranges, remedy uncomfortable side effects and a downside with the pituitary gland or kidneys referred to as diabetes insipidus, which may result in elevated thirst. 

Atil Kargi, M.D., a scientific endocrinologist within the division of neurosurgery on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, broke down these causes in a dialog with Fox News Digital.

Dehydration

Dehydration can happen attributable to extreme sweating, diarrhea or vomiting, in response to Kargi.

Alcohol and caffeine also can have diuretic results that result in dehydration.

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Eating a high-salt weight loss program or spicy meals may improve thirst, the physician famous.

High blood sugar

Diabetes or excessive blood calcium ranges can result in elevated urine manufacturing and dehydration.

This triggers thirst — which is the physique’s first-line protection mechanism in opposition to dehydration, mentioned Kargi.

Side results of prescription drugs

Some drugs could cause elevated thirst.

Woman drinking in bed

Dehydration, metabolic issues comparable to diabetes or excessive blood calcium ranges and remedy uncomfortable side effects can result in extreme thirst. (iStock)

“In some cases, this can simply be because of dry mouth, which can be observed in those persons taking medications to deal with melancholy or different situations,” the physician mentioned. 

Other drugs, comparable to lithium or diuretics, could cause elevated urine manufacturing and subsequently not directly improve thirst sensation, Kargi added.

Diabetes insipidus

With this situation, the pituitary gland and kidneys fail to work collectively to maintain water within the physique. 

“Normally, our pituitary glands produce a hormone called anti-diuretic hormone (AVP) that sends a signal to our kidneys that regulates how much urine we produce,” Kargi mentioned. 

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“AVP deficiency or certain kidney disorders can lead to increased water loss via urination, which triggers our thirst mechanism in an effort to prevent dehydration.”

People with diabetes insipidus do not have elevated blood sugar ranges, mentioned Kargi. 

“This condition should not be confused with the much more common form of diabetes, which refers to those persons having high blood sugar levels.”

Some autoimmune issues

Certain autoimmune issues also can result in extreme thirst and dryness, mentioned Marie-Elizabeth Ramas, M.D., a household doctor at Southern New Hampshire Health in Nashua, New Hampshire. 

Woman drinking water

Certain autoimmune issues also can result in extreme thirst and dryness, a physician mentioned.  (iStock)

“Diseases like cystic fibrosis, Sjogren’s syndrome and other hormonal-related autoimmune disorders can lead to excessive thirst,” she instructed Fox News Digital.

Lifestyle adjustments to scale back extreme thirst

If excessive salt consumption or spicy meals appear to be worsening the sense of thirst, dietary adjustments might assist, specialists mentioned. 

“Drinking water rather than other liquids, such as energy drinks or caffeinated beverages, can help, too,” Kargi instructed.

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In the absence of extreme issues and pathologies, staying hydrated is among the greatest methods to enhance general well-being, Ramas mentioned. 

“I recommend that my patients drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day,” she mentioned. “Just taking 10 gulps of water every hour can help with improving energy, urination, bloating, skin and hair health.”

When to see a physician

If individuals discover they’re producing massive quantities of urine and urinating extra regularly, this can be a purpose to debate signs with a physician, Kargi instructed Fox News Digital. 

If elevated thirst happens together with different worrisome signs — comparable to extreme fatigue, weak spot or weight reduction — this may occasionally sign a physician to examine laboratory checks to rule out extra critical medical situations, he added.

health test

If elevated thirst happens together with different signs — comparable to extreme fatigue, weak spot or weight reduction — it is suggested to see a physician for an examination and laboratory checks. (iStock)

In most circumstances of elevated thirst, medical doctors can arrive at a prognosis and remedy plan with a detailed examination and easy laboratory checks, Kargi mentioned. 

Not all sufferers who report elevated thirst have an underlying medical situation.

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“We sometimes encounter cases in which psychological factors leading to a sensation of dry mouth may be causing excessive thirst sensation without any other clear reason,” the physician mentioned.

This situation, referred to as “psychogenic polydipsia,” may be recognized with a water deprivation take a look at, Kargi mentioned.

A man pours cold water into a glass.

In the absence of extreme issues and pathologies, staying hydrated is among the greatest methods to enhance general well-being, a physician mentioned. (iStock)

When treating his personal sufferers who complain of elevated thirst, the physician begins by gathering a full historical past, specializing in weight loss program and way of life, then asks about every other signs. 

“If you are a patient who’s seeing a doctor for a complaint of increased thirst, please tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have and any medications you are taking,” he suggested. 

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“If the cause is not apparent from the initial history and exam, we may need to investigate further with blood and urine tests.”

High blood sugar or excessive blood calcium ranges might require an endocrinologist for analysis and remedy, Kargi famous.

For extra Health articles, go to www.foxnews.com/well being.

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