If you want a lot of water. Night thirst - how to understand that it's time to see a doctor

But what about a person who wants to drink all the time - regardless of how much he has already drunk? How alarming is this? What diseases are evidenced by constant thirst, let's talk further.

Doctors call the syndrome of constant thirst polydipsia. This is a pathological phenomenon that indicates a clear lack of fluid in the body. Fluid loss can be associated both with the above phenomena, and after a violation of the body (vomiting, increased sweating, diarrhea).

Those diseases, which are evidenced by constant thirst, can be quite serious, so this alarming "call" should not be ignored. Most often, thirst is provoked by diseases of the liver or kidneys, infectious diseases, increased blood sugar levels, improper water exchange, and burns. In addition, doctors also add what diseases you should think about when you have a constant desire to drink. These are mental illnesses, nervous disorders, schizophrenia, obsessive and depressive states, a feeling of thirst often occurs after head injuries, possibly resulting in a concussion.

Natural Causes of Thirst

Evaporation of water from sweat. The body releases sweat during exercise or when the ambient temperature rises. If you're sweating and now you're thirsty, that's fine. Don't worry - this is a normal reaction. Beware of excessive sweating. Different people may have different levels of sweating. Sweating should be considered excessive if you observe a sharp increase in sweating compared to your usual level. Such a change can be a symptom of a number of diseases of the lungs, kidneys, heart, nervous system, immune system, and inflammatory processes. Inflammatory processes can be determined by elevated body temperature. Diagnosis of other factors will require a visit to a doctor and analysis, laboratory tests.

High body temperature can cause thirst. Take your temperature and see a doctor if it's elevated.

Very dry air. If the air around is very dry, then the body loses moisture and there is a strong desire to drink. Air conditioners are especially dry. If the thirst disappears when the humidity normalizes, then the reason is not your health, but the dry air. Drink more water. Get plants. Plants evaporate a lot of water, raise humidity.

Soft water. If you drink water with an insufficient content of mineral salts, you may experience constant thirst. Mineral salts contribute to the absorption of water and its retention in the body. Try to drink bottled water with a normalized mineral content, or, if this is not contraindicated for you, then mineral water of the sodium chloride group with a small amount of salts. If it does not help, then the reason is not in the water, but in something else.

Hard water, excess salt in the diet. An excess of mineral salts can also cause thirst, since salts, if they are in excess, attract water, preventing its normal absorption by cells. The kidneys excrete excess salts with water.

Diuretic food. Some foods are diuretic. For example, coffee. I can't drink coffee at all. After that, I die of thirst. Diuretic products help remove water from the body. There is dehydration and a desire to drink. Try to give up such food for a while. If the thirst is gone, then everything is fine with health, such thirst is safe, you can return to your usual food intake, drink water for health.

Spicy or salty food. Spicy or salty foods simply irritate the mouth and throat. Thirst arises reflexively. Give up such food for a while. If the thirst has passed, then there is no point in worrying further. You can return to your normal diet. Drinking spicy and salty foods with plenty of water is completely normal.

Causes of pathological thirst

Here are some of the most common causes of abnormal thirst (polydipsia):

• Lack of water and salt in the body (for example, as a result of sweating, diarrhea, vomiting).
• Taking certain medications.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine and salt.

Possible diseases

Thirst can be a sign of a more serious condition and is caused by:

• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar);
• Diabetes;
• diabetes insipidus (impaired water metabolism);
• Kidney disorders (for example, Fanconi syndrome);
• Dehydration;
• Liver disease (hepatitis or cirrhosis);
• Bleeding (for example, in the intestines);
• burns or infection;
• Head injury;
• Mental disorders (schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive states that cause thirst).

Medications

Certain medications can make you thirsty.

• Diuretics. Used in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes and heart failure. Also prescribed for edema and diabetes insipidus. They lead to frequent urination and dehydration.
• Tetracycline antibiotics. Used to treat bacterial infections. Remove sodium from the body.
• Lithium. Used to treat bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders.
• Phenothiazine. Used to treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders.

How to get rid of constant thirst?

Try to drink before you feel a strong urge to drink water. To prevent thirst from making itself felt, drink half a cup of pure 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 such an amount of liquid that the urine will not be dark or too light in color. An indicator of sufficient fluid content is urine of a normal, moderate yellow color.

Drink clean water during physical work, sports training. During hard work, a person loses from 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid and only after that feels thirsty. Therefore, to prevent 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 the end of work or training.

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

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

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The information on the site is provided for reference purposes only. Do not self-medicate, be sure to consult a doctor.

Thirst: causes of development, diagnosis and treatment of comorbidities

From a physiological point of view, strong 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 adversely affects the osmotic pressure, which ensures the shape of the cells and their normal functioning. As a result, skin elasticity is lost, facial features become sharper, a person may be disturbed by headaches and dizziness. Therefore, the lack of fluid in the cells causes a very strong desire of the body to restore the water balance.

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

Causes of intense thirst

Polydipsia occurs due to the intense activation of the drinking center located in the brain. This, as a rule, can be caused by physiological or pathological causes.

Physiological causes of extreme thirst include:

1. Increased loss of water through sweat during intense exercise or heat.
2. Dehydration of the body in case of poisoning, accompanied by diarrhea.
3. Intoxication of the body with alcohol breakdown products, for the natural withdrawal (through the kidneys) of which a large amount of water is required.
4. Too dry air in the room, because of which the body has to lose moisture. This situation usually occurs during the heating season and during the operation of air conditioners. To solve the problem with the normalization of humidity, you can use humidifiers or indoor plants that increase the level of moisture in the room.
5. The use of spicy, salty or smoked foods, as well as the abuse of coffee and sweet soda.
6. Consumption of water with an insufficient content of mineral salts, the so-called soft water. It is thanks to mineral salts that the body absorbs and retains water better. Therefore, it is advisable to choose mineral waters of the sodium chloride group with a sufficient salt content for drinking.
7. The consumption of water with excessive salt content also negatively affects the body's water balance, since salt in excess prevents cells from absorbing water.
8. Eating foods and drinks that have diuretic properties. These foods cause dehydration and a strong desire to drink.

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

Pathological causes of polydipsia include:

1. The development of diabetes mellitus, which at first is always accompanied by frequent and copious urine output, which in turn dehydrates the body and causes thirst. The following accompanying symptoms may also indicate the development of this disease: skin itching, dizziness, recurrent headaches, sudden weight gain.
2. Diabetes insipidus is a violation of the endocrine system, which is accompanied by an intensive excretion of water through the kidneys (several liters of light-colored urine per day). With this problem, you should consult an endocrinologist. The main reasons for the development of diabetes insipidus are neurosurgical interventions or brain injuries.
3. Hyperparathyroidism is a violation 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:
   • urine is white;
   • sudden weight loss;
   • muscle weakness;
   • increased fatigue;
   • pain in the legs;
   • early tooth loss.
4. Kidney disease, which is usually accompanied by swelling, dry mouth, problem urination. Sick kidneys are not able to retain in the body the volumes of water necessary for its full-fledged life. The most common kidney disorders are acute and chronic pyelonephritis, primary and secondary contracted kidney, glomerulonephritis, hydronephrosis, and chronic renal failure.
5. Chronic stress and nervous tension, as well as more serious mental disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia). Mental problems can provoke a violation of the thirst regulation center, which is located in the hypothalamus. According to statistics, this cause of intense thirst is most often encountered by women. As a rule, symptoms such as drowsiness, tearfulness and irritability can indicate the development of a mental disorder simultaneously with an unquenchable desire to drink.
6. Brain tumor, stroke and other focal lesions and brain injuries that can disrupt the hypothalamus, which is responsible for the central regulation of thirst.
7. 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.
8. Generalized hyperhidrosis - increased sweating of a pathological nature. This disorder may indicate the development of diseases such as:
   • thyrotoxicosis;
   • acromegaly;
   • pathological menopause;
   • Hodgkin's lymphoma;
   • other disorders of the endocrine system.

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

Diseases that may be indicated by the presence of intense thirst in combination 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 accompanying symptoms:

1. A white coating on the tongue, belching, heartburn, dryness and bitterness in the mouth may indicate disorders in the gallbladder (cholecystitis, pancreatitis or gastritis). The same symptoms may occur during the use of certain antibiotics and antihistamines.
2. Burning gums and tongue, a metallic taste in the mouth, combined with nausea and thirst, can be disturbing in inflammation of the gums.
3. Heartburn, a feeling of fullness and pain in the stomach may indicate the development of gastritis of the stomach.
4. Violation of the body's water balance and dry mouth, bitterness, white or yellow plaque on the tongue indicate a violation of the thyroid gland.
5. Nausea, polydipsia in combination with other painful symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract may indicate the development of diseases of the central nervous system (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.

Intense thirst and drugs

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:

1. Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2.
2. Impaired glucose tolerance.
3. Gynecological diseases.
4. 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 each of its cells guarantees the normal functioning of the whole organism. During pregnancy, every woman is subject to increased stress and trials. Very often, the body of the expectant mother suffers from thirst and water balance disorders, which can provoke 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 severe thirst in pregnant women:

1. Formation of amniotic fluid. With each week of fetal development, the volume of amniotic fluid increases, which means that the amount of water needed increases, and, accordingly, polydipsia increases.
2. 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.
3. Changes in the structure of the circulatory system that occur up to the 20th week of gestation. Since the body of a pregnant woman has to work more intensively, there is an increased need for fluid, the lack of which leads to the fact that the blood thickens. With a thick consistency of blood, the risk of blood clots, ischemia and other pathologies of the cardiovascular system increases.
4. Change in food tastes. As a woman tends to overindulge in sweet, salty, spicy, or fatty foods during pregnancy, she has an increased need for extra fluids to help digest and remove excess salt from the body.
5. Bacterial and viral infections, intestinal and respiratory disorders can also cause polydipsia.
6. Gestational diabetes mellitus, the development of which is accompanied by thirst and dry mouth. This disease can be diagnosed with urine and stool tests.

It is worth noting that there are situations when, according to urinalysis and accompanying symptoms, a pregnant woman needs to reduce the amount of fluid consumed. Otherwise, preeclampsia 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:

• questioning the patient;
• inspection;
• delivery of laboratory tests. As a rule, a blood and urine test is 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.

1. Increase the amount of fluid you drink to two liters per day. So that the problem of increased thirst does not make itself felt for a long time, it is advisable to drink half a cup of purified water every hour.
2. Normalize the humidity in the room where you are, because dry air increases thirst. To increase the humidity, you can have indoor plants or purchase a humidifier.
3. Refuse to consume fatty, spicy and salty foods, various dietary supplements and drugs that cause thirst, as well as snacks, coffee, alcoholic beverages, sweet soda.
4. Get rid of bad habits (smoking).
5. Half an hour before the start of training or other physical activity, drink half a glass of water.
6. Monitor the quality of your urination. If the urine is too light or dark in color, it is necessary to reconsider the amount of fluid consumed. With a normal water content in the body, urine has a moderately 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 general practitioner or endocrinologist at the 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 a neurologist.

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

Evtushenko Oleg, endocrinologist

intense thirst

Constant thirst is a symptom that belongs to the group of non-specific, since it can accompany a large number of a wide variety of diseases. Despite the fact that pathological conditions form the basis of etiological factors, dryness in the oral cavity and thirst can form against the background of completely harmless conditions. 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 mandatory to pay attention to other signs that may complement it. Often, such symptoms are the appearance of plaque on the tongue, weakness and nausea, an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth and dizziness.

Adequate diagnosis of constant thirst, i.e., identification of 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 has become a provocateur of such a symptom, often conservative methods are sufficient.

Etiology

First of all, it should be noted that the most acceptable amount of liquid that a person should drink per day is two liters. In some cases, it is the lack of water that leads to the fact that a person suffers from constant thirst. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly monitor the volume of fluids drunk, especially in children and the elderly, as well as in malnourished patients.

The reasons for constant thirst will be dictated by the methods of removing fluid 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 intake of diuretics;
• abuse of drugs for weight loss;
• excessive ingestion of liquids that contain ethanol, for example, it can be beer;
• diabetes insipidus - such a disease is accompanied by the fact that the human body produces a large amount of light urine, up to several liters per day, which leads to a feeling of constant thirst;
• wrinkling of the kidney, which may be a primary or secondary pathological condition;
• acute or chronic course of pyelonephritis;
• chronic form of glomerulonephritis;
• the course of diabetes mellitus of both the first and second types;
• hyperparathyroidism - despite the fact that this pathology is caused by a disruption in the functioning of the endocrine system, it negatively affects the kidneys.

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

• rhinitis of 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 is dehydrated. This 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 tides;
• acromegaly;
• Hodgkin's lymphoma;
• irrational use of medicines;
• a wide range of endocrine 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 tumors of the intestine;
• gastritis of any etiology;
• peptic ulcer of the duodenum or stomach;
• the 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;
• decreased osmolality of blood plasma;
• 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 should include inflammation of the appendix, perforated ulcer, cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.

Dry mouth and thirst can be provoked by the side effects of such drugs:

• 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 sensation of thirst is played by:

• the use of fatty, salted 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 it is also considered a pathological manifestation, especially in cases of additional alarming symptoms. The only exception is the first trimester of childbearing. During early pregnancy, almost all women suffer from toxicosis, which is characterized by profuse vomiting.

Symptoms

Constant thirst is often 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 has become the source of this symptom.

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

• dryness in the mouth;
• the allocation of a large amount of light urine;
• coating of the tongue with a coating, 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 late stages of bearing a child;
• bad smell or taste in the mouth;
• bouts of nausea, which quite often end in vomiting;
• violation of the act of defecation;
• temperature rise;
• severe skin itching;
• shortness of breath and belching;
• headaches and dizziness;
• change in the shade of the skin, it can become pathologically red, pale or cyanotic;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• swelling of the lower extremities;
• pain syndrome with localization 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 conduct primary diagnostic measures, which will be aimed at:

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

After the preliminary cause of constant thirst is established, the therapist will most likely refer the patient for examination to such specialists:

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

Treatment

What to do to stop such a condition in which a person is constantly thirsty can only be told by the attending physician. In general, a wide range of therapeutic techniques are used, which will depend on the underlying cause of this symptom.

Either way, treatment will include:

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

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

Prevention

To avoid the appearance of constant thirst, you must:

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

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

"Strong 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 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 inherently a somewhat outdated term, and therefore is 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 of 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 on the organs and systems of ethanol and its decay products, 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.

Amyloidosis of the kidneys is a complex and dangerous pathology in which protein-carbohydrate metabolism is disturbed in the tissues of the kidneys. As a result, there is a synthesis and accumulation of a specific substance - amyloid. 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 a person and entails a violation of kidney 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, not only the absence of fluid in the bladder is noted, but also the urge to empty.

Botulism is a rather severe 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 are manifested 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 of botulism, the onset of death is not 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 must be known, 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 pregnancy Congenital Hydrocele Edema Hydrocele of the testicle Hydrocele of the spermatic cord Complications of hydrocele of the testicle 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; kidneys; 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 a violation of the hormonal background. However, there are a large number of other predisposing factors and risk groups.

Gigantism is an ailment that progresses due to increased production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland (endocrine gland). This causes the rapid growth of the limbs and torso. In addition, patients often experience a decrease in sexual function, inhibition of development. In the case of progression of gigantism, it is likely that the person will be infertile.

Hyperaldosteronism - acts as a fairly often diagnosed pathological condition that develops against the background of increased secretion of such a hormone of the adrenal cortex as aldosterone. Most often, the pathology occurs in adults, but it can also affect a child.

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 high levels of insulin and low blood sugar levels. Such a pathological process can lead not only to disruption of some body systems, but also to hypoglycemic coma, which in itself is a particular danger to human life.

Hypernatremia is a disease characterized by an increase in the level of sodium in the blood serum to a value of 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 body 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 such a form of pathology as congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex is more common. In any case, the disease is quite dangerous, therefore, when its first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a medical institution for a comprehensive examination and the appointment of an effective method of therapy.

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

Hypomenorrhea (syn. meager menstruation) is a violation of the menstrual cycle, when a small amount of bloody fluid is released from the genital tract (less than 50 milliliters). Pathology can be both primary and secondary.

Hyponatremia is the most common form of water and electrolyte imbalance, when there is a critical decrease in the concentration of sodium in the blood serum. In the absence of timely assistance, the likelihood of a fatal outcome is not excluded.

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

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, there is a high risk of death. The diagnosis is made through not only a physical examination of the patient, it also requires laboratory and instrumental methods of examination.

Dysentery, also defined as shigellosis, is a disease from the group of acute intestinal infections, this group itself includes diseases transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Dysentery, the symptoms of which are manifested in the form of diarrhea and general intoxication, has a tendency to its own widespread prevalence, which implies the possibility of an epidemic or pandemic if it is 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 if the human body cannot fully use glucose as an energy source, as 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 ailment of an infectious nature, which is caused by specific pathogens from the genus Leptospira. 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 state is said 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 a violation of water metabolism and are manifested in the form of constant thirst along with increased polyuria (increased urine formation), is, meanwhile, a fairly rare disease.

Jade in medicine refers to a whole group of various inflammatory diseases of the kidneys. All of them have a different etiology, as well as a mechanism of development, symptomatic and pathomorphological features. Clinicians include local or widespread processes in this group, during which the kidney tissue grows, partially or completely collapses.

Nephrosis is a group of pathological processes in which the renal tubules are mainly affected. These disorders are dystrophic in nature, that is, the chemical composition of cells and tissues changes, the functioning of the renal tubules worsens. All these processes occur in violation of fat and protein metabolism.

Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder of the functioning of the kidneys, characterized by a strong 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 with localization throughout the body and an increased ability of blood to clot. Diagnosis is made on the basis of data on changes in blood and urine tests. Treatment is complex and consists of diet and drug therapy.

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

Acute viral hepatitis - is an infectious lesion of the liver, which is caused by specific microorganisms. Depending on which bacterium has become the source of the disease, the form of hepatitis will be determined. In addition to specific bacteria, other, unknown microorganisms can be the cause of the development of such a pathology. 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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With the help of exercise and abstinence, most people can do without medicine.

Symptoms and treatment of human diseases

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All information provided is subject to mandatory consultation by the attending physician!

Questions and suggestions:

Thirst - This is a phenomenon that indicates the need to replenish water reserves in the body. Thirst is observed in a healthy person after heavy physical exertion, in extreme heat, after eating very spicy and salty foods. However, if the feeling that you are thirsty does not leave all the time, then such a symptom can be quite serious and indicate the development of serious diseases.

How does thirst manifest itself?

When thirsty, a person feels an irresistible desire to drink liquid. Thirst is one of the main biological motivations that ensures the normal functioning of the body. The feeling of thirst helps to maintain a balance between the content of salts and water in the body.

The main manifestation of thirst is severe dryness in the mouth and throat, which is explained by decreased secretion of saliva due to lack of water in the body. In this case, it is about true thirst . Sometimes the same symptoms develop after eating very dry food, after a long conversation, smoking. it false thirst , which can be eliminated by simply moisturizing the oral cavity. If we are talking about true thirst, then moisturizing only slightly softens, but does not eliminate the desire to drink.

To prevent the occurrence of thirst, it is necessary to replenish the fluid supply in the body in a timely manner. To do this, you should know how to calculate the need for water. To date, it is generally accepted that the daily need for water for a healthy adult is about 30-40 g per 1 kg of his weight. Applying this rule, you can easily calculate what is the body's need for water per day for a person with a certain weight. But when making such calculations, it should be taken into account that a number of other factors also affect a person's need for water. If a person sweats frequently due to an active lifestyle, they will need additional fluids. Another factor influencing the occurrence of thirst is air temperature. On hot days or in a room that is too hot, you need to drink a lot more. Increase fluid loss stressful situations , some diseases , pregnancy and . Doctors say that in the form of clean drinking water, a person should normally consume about 1.2 liters of liquid daily. Another part of the water enters the body with a variety of foods.

Why does thirst arise?

Why you want to drink is explained very simply. Thirst occurs as the human body regularly loses moisture. Moisture is lost both during physical and mental stress. Thirst can also overcome with a feeling of strong excitement. But if we are talking about constant thirst, then a person feels a desire to drink constantly, and how much liquid he drank before does not matter. Pathological thirst is called polydipsia .

In medicine, a number of reasons are determined that determine the occurrence of constant thirst in a person. First of all, you want to drink a lot if the body lacks moisture or salt. This phenomenon may be the result severe vomiting , and etc.

Most often, the human body does not have enough fluid on hot days. If the human body receives too little water, then in order to avoid dehydration, the body begins to work in the moisture conservation mode. The skin dries up, the mucous membranes dry up, the eyes sink. Urination becomes very infrequent as the body tries to conserve moisture. Therefore, at high temperatures, with diarrhea, vomiting, profuse sweating, you need to drink plenty of fluids. When the water balance in the body is restored, thirst disappears.

Thirst can be triggered by eating too much alcohol, salty foods, caffeinated food. Often women want to drink plenty of water when pregnancy especially during the warm period of the year. Thirst is also caused by a number of medications. May be thirsty when taking diuretic drugs , tetracycline series , lithium , phenothiazine .

Sometimes a person himself does not understand why he wants to drink a lot. In this case, we can talk about the development of some serious diseases.

Indomitable thirst can very often indicate development in a person. Parents should be especially attentive to such a symptom in a baby. If a child wants to drink often, and he also has it, then this may indicate the onset of diabetes. In this case, thirst is observed due to the fact that there is a violation of the hormonal balance in the body, which, in turn, entails a violation of water-salt metabolism.

A constant feeling of thirst may also indicate an increased function parathyroid glands . With such a disease, a person complains of other symptoms - weakness in the muscles is felt, weight loss is observed, severe fatigue. White urine is excreted, as it is stained by calcium leached from the bones.

In most cases, thirst accompanies kidney disease - glomerulonephritis , etc. When the kidneys are damaged, they cannot retain the required amount of water in the body, and therefore the need for fluid increases significantly. In this case, thirst may be accompanied by swelling, as the amount of urine released decreases.

It happens that thirst is a consequence neurosurgical operations or brain injury. This may lead to the development diabetes insipidus . Despite the fact that a person drinks a lot of liquid throughout the day, thirst is not quenched.

Nervous thirst often develops when stressful situations. In most cases, this phenomenon is typical for women. In addition to thirst, female representatives in this state often experience tearfulness, irritability, whims, a woman constantly wants to drink and sleep.

Another important reason for constant thirst in a person may be drug addiction. This point should be taken into account by parents, observing the behavior of their children, if they are often and strongly thirsty.

In addition to the above diseases, constant thirst may indicate hyperglycemia , liver disease , infections , burns . In cardiac pathologies, thirst is due to the fact that the heart cannot provide the necessary level of blood supply.

How to overcome thirst?

If a person really wants to drink all the time, then, first of all, care should be taken to exclude the presence of serious diseases. It is possible to determine the reasons why you are often thirsty after a high-quality and complete diagnosis. Therefore, if you suspect the development diabetes and other diseases that may be accompanied by intense thirst, it is imperative to visit a doctor and tell him in detail about the symptoms. First of all, it is desirable to have consultation with an endocrinologist. The specialist will prescribe general and biochemical studies. The presence of elevated blood sugar levels indicates the development of diabetes mellitus. But if diabetes or other serious diseases are detected at an early stage, then serious consequences can be much easier to prevent.

At diabetes the patient is prescribed those medications that will lower the level of sugar in the blood. With strict adherence to the treatment regimen, you can reduce unpleasant symptoms and avoid the manifestation of constant thirst.

But if thirst pesters for no apparent reason, it is necessary to reconsider some habits. First of all, do not quench your thirst carbonated sweet drinks, beer, others liquor. Mineral water- also not the best option for quenching thirst, as it contains a large amount of salts.

The diet should be less canned, smoked, fatty and too salty foods. It is especially important to adhere to this rule on hot days. In the summer, vegetables, fruits, steamed food will help to avoid the constant desire to drink. It is undesirable to quench your thirst with cold water, as the body will absorb water at room temperature much better. Very good to quench your thirst on hot days chilled unsweetened tea, mint decoction, raspberries and other berries or herbs. You can also add some lemon juice to the water.

If thirst is provoked medicines, you must inform your doctor about this, who can prescribe substitutes for such drugs or change the treatment regimen.

If thirst is a consequence of stress, you should not constantly drink large amounts of water. It is enough to periodically wet your lips, rinse your mouth with water. To overcome the stress that causes the desire to drink, herbal preparations can help -, valerian .

When thirst strikes, the reason is usually clear: you are not consuming enough H2O. But your mouth turning into Sahara can also hint that you have a medical condition. Any sensation that changes your balance of water or salt in your body can make you thirsty. If you are following good hydration practices (your urine should be in the light yellow to clear range) but still feel dehydrated, then you should see a doctor right away.

What is thirst?

Polydipsia is a term given to excessive thirst and is one of the first symptoms of diabetes. This is usually accompanied by temporary or prolonged dryness of the mouth. We all get thirsty at different times during the day. Adequate daily water intake is very important, as it is essential for many bodily functions, including body temperature regulation and waste disposal. However, if you feel thirsty all the time, or if it is stronger than usual and continues even after you drink, then this may be a sign of an illness inside your body.

Primary polydipsia describes excessive thirst and water consumption caused by a lack of physiological stimuli to drink. This includes both psychogenic primary polydipsia and non-psychogenic primary polydipsia, such as in patients with autoimmune chronic hepatitis with severely elevated globulin levels. Psychogenic polydipsia is an excessive water intake seen in some patients with mental illness such as schizophrenia, disability. This should be taken very seriously as the amount of water consumed exceeds the amount that can be excreted by the kidneys and is in rare cases life-threatening as the body's serum sodium levels are diluted to the point that convulsions and cardiac arrest occur.

Excessive fluid intake can lead to a false diagnosis of diabetes insipidus, as chronic water intake often produces diagnostic results that closely mimic the symptoms of the suspected disease.

Causes of thirst

The causes of thirst can be caused by various factors. Most often, any cause is determined only with the help of specialists. Timely elimination will help to establish water balance and restore the body's strength. The main reasons may include:

• eating salty or spicy foods;
• disease;
• physical activity;
• diarrhea;
• vomiting;
• burns;
• significant blood loss
• certain prescription drugs, including lithium, diuretics, and some antipsychotics.

In order to accurately know the cause of dehydration and unquenchable thirst, it is necessary to consider each factor separately. There is a big risk that a strong desire to drink water is associated with the presence of a certain disease. Thirst is the first signal that there are problems in the body and the body's simplest reaction to diseases that we so often miss.

Diabetes

Diabetes can increase your risk of dehydration, especially if you don't already know about it. When blood sugar levels are too high, the body puts pressure on the kidneys to produce more urine to get rid of the excess glucose. Frequent urination, another common symptom that causes thirst. This leads to the consumption of more liquid and creates a problem. If you experience excessive thirst and frequent urination, as well as other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or irritability, then you should have a blood glucose test to find out if you have diabetes.

diabetes insipidus

Although diabetes insipidus is not related to conventional diabetes, it shares the same signs and symptoms (dehydration and brisk urination). The disease is characterized by a hormonal imbalance in the body that affects water absorption. Because you end up losing huge amounts of water through your urine, thirst sets in and your body tries to make up for the fluid loss. Since there are several types of diabetes insipidus and it can be caused by other conditions, your doctor will perform many tests to determine which treatment option is best for your body.

Monthly cycle

During the menstrual period, you may feel the desire to drink plenty of water - this is an absolute norm. Estrogen and progesterone levels affect fluid volume. If we add to this the loss of blood from the cycle itself, especially with copious discharge, then the result will be a compensatory increase in thirst.

Dry mouth

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is often mistaken for excessive thirst. This is an abnormal dryness of the mucous membranes in the mouth due to decreased flow or a change in saliva composition. If the glands do not produce enough saliva, then this can lead to other unpleasant symptoms such as bad breath, sticky saliva. Dry mouth is a side effect of prescription drugs, allergy medications, and vertigo medications. There are also several diseases that can cause dry mouth, so this issue should always be discussed with your doctor.

Anemia

Permanent or sudden blood loss can occur due to problems such as heavy periods, bleeding ulcers (the most common cause of anemia). The body is losing red blood cells faster than it can be replaced and tries to compensate for the loss of fluid by causing thirst. A very common but unrecognized cause of heavy periods is a bad thyroid gland. Up to 70% of people experience some degree of thyroid deficiency, resulting in extreme thirst. A physical exam and blood test will determine if you have anemia, and the treatment you receive depends on the type in the diagnosis.

Low blood pressure

Chronic stress leads to impaired adrenal function, which can lead to low blood pressure. This can cause dizziness, depression, anxiety, as well as a strong desire to drink.

Thirst is the body's way of adding more water to the blood in order to raise blood pressure. Indeed, the only long-term solution is stress reduction and better management.

Diet

Foods that have a diuretic effect (celery, asparagus, beets, lemons, melons, ginger, and parsley) can make you crave water (it causes frequent urination). While these foods have many health benefits, you should consider this effect as another reason to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet: nutrient bases are covered and thirst is kept in check. In this way, you can balance the weight by consuming more fluid-rich foods: oatmeal and brown rice (they absorb water during the cooking process).

Thirst symptoms

It's normal to feel thirsty after eating spicy foods or doing intense exercise (especially when it's hot outside). But, sometimes the desire to drink water is stronger than usual and does not stop even after you drink. You may experience blurred vision and fatigue, symptoms of excessive thirst that can signal a serious illness.

The main symptoms and causes of the phenomenon can be:

• constant desire to drink water;
• inability to quench thirst even with heavy drinking;
• frequent urination;
• blurred vision;
• dizziness and confusion in the head.

When to seek medical help?

To stay healthy, you need to drink fluids regularly throughout the day. You can increase your water intake with water-rich foods such as celery, watermelon, tomatoes, oranges, melons.

A good way to know if you're getting enough fluid is to test your urine. If it's light-colored and doesn't have a strong odor, you're probably getting enough liquid. Every organ, tissue and cell in your body needs water. It helps the body maintain a normal temperature, lubricate and cushion the joints, protect the spinal cord, and rid the body of sweat, urination, and defecation. Remember that you should drink more fluids when you are outside in hot weather, have diarrhea or vomiting, and if you have a fever. If you are unable to replenish the fluid you are losing, you may become dehydrated. Overdrying also leads to a significant decrease in the level of sodium in the blood, which can provoke seizures (especially if it develops quickly).

Thirst is your body's way of telling you that your body is low on fluid. Under normal conditions, you should quickly quench it. However, if your urge to drink remains constant or doesn't go away after drinking, it could be a sign of a serious health problem, especially when combined with other symptoms. This constant desire to drink is also accompanied with a psychological problem. You should consult your doctor if your thirst is too strong, no matter how much you drink per day. It is also worth going to a specialist if you have thirst and frequent dizziness, severe hunger, or sores that do not heal. If you urinate more than five times a day, this is one reason to visit a doctor.

To determine the cause of excessive, unresolved thirst, your doctor will ask you for a complete medical history, including any previously diagnosed conditions. Be prepared to list all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements. Some questions your doctor might ask include: how long ago did you know about your symptoms, do you also urinate more than usual, did your symptoms start slowly or suddenly. All this will help in identifying factors and treating persistent thirst.

The most common causes of excessive thirst are: heavy sweating during heat, during physical exertion, bronchitis, dehydration with diarrhea, 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 the negatively charged ions - anions that determine the saline composition of the tissue fluid, they 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 desire to drink?

Groups of causes of constant thirst and dry mouth

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

1. The process of removing fluid from the body increases.
2. The amount of fluid in the body is reduced.
3. The amount of salts in the body increases.
4. The process of removing salt from the body is reduced.
5. 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 while 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.

Read also: Reasons for losing weight: 10 diseases from which people lose weight

Drinks that contain a lot of ethanol (beer) can also increase urine production and cause subsequent thirst.

Unquenchable thirst against the background of excessive excretion of light urine (more than one liter per day) can be 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 disease: chronic glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis (acute and chronic), kidney wrinkling (primary or secondary). These ailments increase urination, the body dehydrates faster and there is a strong thirst. It is necessary to treat such conditions together with a urologist and a therapist.

With osmotic diuresis, along with salts or glucose, fluid is “washed out” of the body. For example, when glucose is lost, intense thirst also occurs, that is, during the development of diabetes. As a clue that large amounts of urine and thirst are the causes of diabetes, there may be itchy skin.

Loss of fluid through the skin

If the constant thirst is due to heavy sweating and has no additional symptoms, the cause of dry mouth is excessive exercise or heat. These are harmless causes, in which thirst is eliminated by a one-time replenishment of fluids.

Read also: Why does the smell of acetone from the mouth appear in an adult

If excessive sweating and intense thirst are accompanied by increasing pathological symptoms and deterioration, you should immediately go for examinations. Such signs may indicate the development of thyrotoxicosis, pathological menopause, a number of endocrine diseases, 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, as a less dangerous disease, or an intestinal tumor, as a more serious ailment.

Loss of water through the respiratory mucosa

Dry mouth and thirst appear with mouth breathing: during rhinitis, enlarged adenoids, chronic snoring. If mouth breathing is rapid, the mouth dries up even more and you always want to drink. Breathing quickens with 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 is reduced

With 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 field 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 with intensive training, in hot weather or hard 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 foods, salts in the body will begin to accumulate and be absorbed into the blood. As a result, the 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

Salt retention 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. - Violation of brain activity

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 disturbed, thirst arises as a result of mental disorders, brain injuries, brain tumors.

• Control the amount of fluid you drink throughout the day.
• Avoid thirst-producing drugs, foods and drinks that make you constantly thirsty.
• Seek advice from a therapist, endocrinologist or urologist.
• Pass the main tests to specify the situation: a general analysis of urine and blood, a biochemical blood test, an X-ray of the lungs and an ECG.
• Further clarification of the causes of constant thirst follows after receiving the results of the main tests.

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

The problem of thirst in human life

Why do people drink:

1. To maintain water-salt balance
2. To ensure thermoregulation
3. To improve well-being
4. To ensure normal metabolism
5. For blood thinning
6. To lubricate joints
7. For energy
8. To improve digestion

According to studies, the average daily intake of liquid for a person is about two liters. But some drinkers manage to drink much more. Some do not even experience discomfort in the form of frequent visits to the toilet or a full stomach. Why do you always want to drink? Where does the desire to saturate the body with life-giving moisture come from?

Reasons for frequent hunting to get drunk:

False drinks.

It has been proven that any liquid other than water is not able to truly quench your thirst. After all, only H2O is a drink for the body, and everything else is food. Moreover, some drinks, especially sweet or alcoholic ones, cause dehydration. Everyone knows what dry land is in the morning after drinking strong drinks in the evening. Also cause thirst for lemonade and cola due to increased blood sugar.

Wrong drinking process.

If you quickly drink a lot (1-3 liters) of water or other liquid in large sips, then the stomach will be filled immediately, and the thirst will not recede. Because the brain will process the signal about receiving moisture only for 10 minutes. It is not surprising that during this time you will want to drink more and more, especially if it was not possible to drink right away.

With kidney and heart failure, diabetes, liver disease, constant thirst is observed. This is due to a violation of the functions of vital organs, while the water balance of the body is disturbed, because too much fluid is excreted uncontrollably.

Trauma or pathology of the brain.

The center responsible for the feeling of thirst is located in the brain, if it is damaged due to injury or affected by a tumor, then it sends distorted signals.

Environment.

If a person is in conditions of dry and warm air, he will be thirsty all the time, because the flow of fluid in the body will increase due to the drying of the mucous membranes and increased sweating.

Wrong nutrition.

It is known that after eating salty, sweet, smoked, spicy and starchy foods, it draws on water. It is quite logical that if you eat such foods all the time, then the thirst will not disappear, because the body will need water to assimilate the “heavy” food and remove the harmful substances contained in it.

Work specifics.

People who, by virtue of their profession, have to talk a lot (teachers, politicians, presenters, etc.) often experience thirst due to the drying of the oral mucosa. Who works in dry warm rooms, especially physically. After all, the amount of fluid excreted by the body increases to maintain normal body temperature.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs.

Heavy smokers and drug addicts often suffer from thirst. This is due to the fact that the body is trying to remove toxic substances that poison the blood and all organs. If you drink alcohol in large doses in the evening, then in the morning the body will suffer from dehydration, which is confirmed by the so-called dryness. Also, thirst is one of the main signs of a person who uses drugs.

Taking medicines.

Some medications have a side effect of dry mouth, which makes you thirsty. These include diuretics, antibiotics, expectorants, sedatives.

Frequent stress or anxiety.

It has been proven that when a person is worried or worried, he feels dry mouth, this can be regarded as thirst. The reason lies in the increased heart rate, rapid breathing, often increased sweating caused by stress.

Why you can't drink too much

Frequent thirst leads to the fact that you have to drink a lot to satisfy the desire of the body. But excessive fluid intake adversely affects a person. Even fatal cases of “intoxication” with water have been recorded in history. What troubles can await water drinkers?

1. The body's salt balance is disturbed
2. Overloaded kidneys and heart
3. The stomach is stretched

How to deal with desire

First, you need to learn how to drink plain clean water. Not even mineral, and, moreover, not carbonated. Scientists say that tea, sweet sodas and other drinks do not quench thirst. On the contrary, they dehydrate the body, because simple water is required for their absorption.

Next, you need to establish the correct drinking process. It consists in drinking water slowly, taking small sips. After all, it has long been proven that the feeling of thirst disappears after about 10 minutes after drinking a liquid.

It is recommended to drink the daily norm of water regularly in equal portions, without waiting for the appearance of thirst. But it should be noted that under certain conditions (sports, increased body temperature, heavy sweating), the amount of H2O must be increased.

It is also advised to make it a habit to drink clean water in the morning immediately after sleep and before each meal, about 10-15 minutes in advance. Morning drink will help the body wake up faster.

A glass of water before a meal will help determine whether the body really needs food or just a feeling of hunger intertwined with thirst. If 10 minutes after drinking water you don’t feel like eating, then there was a signal about the need for water. If the feeling of hunger has not passed, then it's time to eat.

In case of abnormal thirst, it is best to consult a doctor. Establishing the cause of regular thirst will help to understand the problem and avoid deterioration in health. In such a situation, it is better to take tests, the first of which is a blood test for sugar. Perhaps, MRI of the brain, ultrasound of the kidneys, liver will be recommended.

It is interesting:

The so-called drinks are not really drinks, but food. This is explained by the fact that for the assimilation of any substance, except water, the body must expend a certain amount of energy. Therefore, expressions such as "eat tea" were used earlier.

Lack of salt in the body is just as dangerous as its excess. If a person restricts the use of salt, drinks a lot of water, then a disease such as hyponatremia may well develop.

There is an opinion that if you drink more than three liters of water in an hour, you can die from swelling of the brain, lungs, or a decrease in the level of potassium in the body.

Thirst occurs when the body is already 2% dehydrated. With the loss of 10% of the fluid in a person, dizziness, impaired speech, coordination of movement begin, and at 20-25% - death.

For long-distance runners, a special drinking regimen has been developed to quench their thirst and not harm the body with an excess of fluid.

Frequent thirst can have many causes. In any case, you should adhere to a healthy lifestyle, a regular and balanced diet, drink 1-2 liters of water per day. Mineral water is best used only for treatment prescribed by a doctor. Then the body will work like clockwork, and the drinking regimen will return to normal, thirst will stop bothering you.

What is thirst

Thirst is one of the main human motivations of a biological nature, which provides the body with a normal existence. This sensation helps to maintain a balance between the concentration of water in the body and salts.

Severe dryness of the oral mucosa is due to a decrease in salivary secretion, which occurs due to a lack of fluid.

In addition to the true (normal) thirst, a person may also encounter a false thirst. It happens due to a long active conversation, smoking, eating too dry food. It is easy to quench it - just moisten the oral cavity. Whereas true thirst moistening of the mouth only softens, but does not eliminate.

How to get rid of ordinary thirst

To avoid thirst, it is necessary to replenish fluids regularly. But you need to know your own norm. It is calculated according to a simple formula: every day an adult should consume about 30-40 g of fluid for every 1 kg of body weight. But when making such calculations, a number of factors should be taken into account (they increase the body's need for water):

• stressful situations;
• active lifestyle;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• elevated ambient temperature;
• colds, infectious diseases occurring with fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

Doctors say that on average a person should consume at least 1.2-1.5 liters of fluid per day. By the way, this includes not only drinking water, but also the liquid that is part of the food.

Signs of abnormal thirst

When a person experiences constant, unquenchable thirst and wants to drink all the time, this turns into a pathology. Moreover, a person experiences a desire to drink water even after drinking a significant amount of liquid..

Thirst of a pathological nature in the medical environment is called "polydipsia".

Unfortunately, most citizens completely ignore such alarm bells. But we must remember that some dangerous ailments begin precisely with such simple symptoms. Unquenchable thirst is a signal of the body that deviations begin in its work.

To understand that thirst has become abnormal, remember how much water is drunk at a time. If such a quantity is not habitual for a particular person, this is a reason to think. Moreover, one should pay attention to the change in the water diet, lasting for a long time, when there are no additional culprits for increasing the daily water intake.

Thirst as a result of illness

Sometimes, looking for an answer to the question of why you want to drink a lot of water, the reasons should be sought in your own health. Sometimes a long and unquenchable thirst becomes evidence of the onset of a certain disease. This first symptom of the disease should not be ignored.

Diabetes

Often, abnormal thirst indicates the appearance of such a dangerous pathology. Therefore, if an increased craving to drink is observed for a long time, and especially if there is a predisposition, you should immediately visit a doctor and take the necessary tests.

By the way, diabetes is an insidious disease. Many of the patients for a long time do not even suspect that they have such an ailment and do not receive the necessary treatment. Sometimes it happens that the diagnosis is made only after a sharp deterioration in health, when the patient is taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, a person can avoid terrible consequences. And the result of advanced diabetes is quite difficult things:

• complete blindness;
• fatal outcome;
• gangrene and amputation of the legs.

kidney failure

An increased desire to drink water can also indicate a person has kidney problems. When you are often thirsty, it means that the kidneys can no longer cope with their work and are not able to retain water in the body. In the presence of such a problem, a violation of the water-salt balance is observed, which causes dehydration.

Doctors define kidney failure as a pathology associated with various diseases. Depending on the intensity of changes, there are chronic and acute renal failure.

According to statistics, acute renal failure is diagnosed annually in 100 out of 500,000 people.

The culprits of kidney failure in the work of doctors include the following factors:

• diabetes;
• organ injury;
• arterial hypertension;
• alcohol addiction;
• severe viral infections;
• improper use of medicines.

Liver disease

Sometimes, the reasons why your mouth dries and you feel thirsty are a variety of liver problems. One of the most common culprits for these problems is alcohol abuse. According to WHO experts, about 200 million people suffer from various liver diseases in the world today. Liver disease is one of the ten most common causes of death.

The work and condition of this organ should be checked if, along with unquenchable thirst, a person also experiences the following symptoms:

• constant nausea;
• severe dizziness;
• pain in the hypochondrium.

night thirst

An insatiable craving for a drink that appears at night is a fairly common phenomenon. The causes are both unpleasant factors (diseases and disorders), and completely harmless situations.

Thirst at night as a sign of illness

Some individuals do not react to the strangeness that has appeared and ignore this symptom, which is unacceptable. Indeed, in most cases, night thirst indicates the presence of ailments. Such as:

• diabetes;
• aldosteronism (neoplasms in the adrenal glands);
• hyperparathyroidism (lack of calcium), this condition is accompanied by frequent urination;
• dehydration (a phenomenon observed in infectious pathologies), accompanied by increased dryness of the mouth and tongue;
• pathology of the cardiovascular system, thirst appears as a result of difficulty in supplying oxygen and blood to internal organs;
• cholera algid (with such a pathology, complete dehydration is observed), additional symptoms include profuse, prolonged diarrhea and vomiting;
• kidney stones, formations in the organs make it difficult to separate urine, which gives rise to severe thirst due to a violation of water-salt metabolism, in the presence of stones, the patient will feel painful urination.

Other causes of nighttime thirst

Often the night craving to constantly drink water becomes the result of a banal overeating. Also, this syndrome can be triggered by high consumption of alcohol, tea and coffee the day before..

Ethyl alcohol actively contributes to the washing out of the liquid, along with it, useful microelements leave the body. This provokes the development of strong thirst.

Some medications are also involved in the appearance of an unpleasant symptom. Diuretics are especially conducive to dehydration. Also, the following situations are attributed to the causes of night thirst:

• nasal congestion;
• viral disease;
• intoxication of the body;
• oncological processes;
• alcohol abuse;
• inflammation of the organ urinary system;
• radiotherapy to the neck and head.

How to Avoid Night Thirst

How to return normal and healthy sleep? First of all, you should visit a doctor, conduct a complete diagnosis of your own body and take care of your own health. And what to drink so that you do not want to drink at night? There are some ways to help avoid night torment:

1. Before going to bed, consume a glass of kefir (preferably low-fat).
2. An excellent way to quench your thirst is pure water, where lemon juice is added.
3. You can drink green tea the night before. But it should not be consumed before going to bed, as this product can provoke insomnia.

morning thirst

Dryness of the mouth and increased desire to drink water in the morning is a phenomenon as frequent and common as night thirst. Most often, this sign indicates the presence of a disease in a person (just as in the case of night thirst). But there are a number of other reasons that are not dangerous to health. They are the following:

1. Intense loads. Heavy physical work on the night shift and active sports in the evening lead to dehydration.
2. Illiterate food. One of the most common reasons for this syndrome. It arises through the fault of the increased love of the individual for fatty, heavy and salty foods.
3. Taking medications. Some of the medicines have increased diuretic properties. As a result, large reserves of moisture leave the body. And the body requires its replenishment, especially in the morning, when a person does not drink sleep for a long time.

You can overcome the morning desire to constantly drink water by adjusting the diet. It is necessary to debug the water-salt balance by adjusting the daily diet of fluid intake. This is especially necessary if the person is being treated with diuretics.

Let's summarize

Having carefully read everything that has been said, we can identify seven main culprits that provoke increased thirst in a person. There is no reason to panic if you want to drink in the heat, after increased physical exertion or after eating salty foods. But the situation changes when thirst arises completely unreasonably.

So, the most common culprits for an increased desire to drink water are the following reasons:

1. Dehydration. The culprit of the syndrome is an illiterate diet, excessive exercise, heat, excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee and tea. The causes also become health problems, illnesses that pass against the background of high temperature, indigestion. To defeat the attack, you should drink the prescribed norm of clean drinking water every day.
2. Diabetes. In the presence of such a pathology, the body needs an increased amount of drinking, and you always want to drink. The main reason is an increase in blood sugar levels. Well, you can get rid of indomitable thirst only with adequate and constant treatment of the underlying disease.
3. Problems in the work of the parathyroid gland. This organ is responsible for the presence of calcium in the body. In case of malfunctions in his work, a person is faced with the problem of constant thirst. In this case, you should seek help from an endocrinologist.
4. Long-term medication. Many medications, especially with a long course of therapy, cause a number of side effects, including increased thirst. These drugs include diuretics, antibiotics, antihistamines, and expectorants. In this case, consultation with a doctor and adjusting the course of taking the medication will help.
5. Kidney diseases. The main task of this paired organ is to regulate the water-salt balance. Problems and disturbances in their normal operation and leads to this problem. Plus, a person in this case has pain and difficulty urinating.
6. Pathology of the liver. One of the clearest symptoms of the development of the disease of this organ is increased thirst.
7. Consequences of trauma. An increased and constant desire to drink often manifests itself in trauma to the head. When cerebral edema develops as a result of severe damage.

It is almost impossible to cope with any of the above problems on your own. In the case when you have to deal with such a symptom as an increased desire to drink, you need to contact a medical specialist and undergo a complete examination of your body.

Thirst is a defense mechanism that kicks in when the body loses too much fluid. Such a condition can occur with diseases and require examination and treatment of the patient or occur with physiological changes in the body. In any case, the cells signal that they do not have enough water, and the body is in danger.

How does thirst arise?

Receptors that respond to a decrease in the amount of fluid in the body are located everywhere - in the vessels, the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, in the kidneys, and in the brain. When dehydration occurs, impulses from these receptors enter the drinking center, there is a desire to drink water, that is, thirst.

If a person does not make up for the loss of fluid, the brain and nervous system as a whole receive less blood and oxygen along with it. As a result, their work is disrupted. Strokes, thrombosis, vascular sclerosis can occur. In addition, the blood becomes thicker, which makes it difficult to move through small vessels. Heart attacks and strokes can also occur.

Why is there constant thirst?

Causes of thirst can be natural (physiological) and pathological (as a result of diseases). In any case, fluid losses must be replaced. Prolonged dehydration (dehydration) can lead to the death of the patient.

1. Insufficient intake of water in the body. Each person should drink at least 50 ml / kg per day. Accordingly, this volume of fluid will depend on body weight, age and health status. In the case of infectious diseases, exacerbations of chronic diseases, the need for fluid increases.
2. Excessive fluid loss from the body. This can occur with increased physical exertion, when the fluid comes out with sweat through the skin, with frequent urination as a result of taking diuretics, with kidney diseases (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis). Also, fluid can be lost through the lungs with rapid breathing. This occurs with diseases of the bronchopulmonary system (bronchitis, pneumonia), with fever and respiratory failure. With intestinal infections and the accompanying vomiting and diarrhea, fluid is lost through the intestines or stomach.
3. Abuse of salty foods. Salt enters the bloodstream, pulls water from the cells, as a result of which they become dehydrated, the body feels thirsty.
4. Pregnancy. Some women note the appearance of thirst in the very early stages, which is associated with hormonal changes in the body and an increase in fluid needs. During pregnancy, a woman drinks for two (three, four ...). In later periods (in the second and third trimesters), dry mouth and thirst result from an increase in the volume of amniotic fluid. These symptoms can also be a sign of gestational diabetes. If during pregnancy a woman dries all the time, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist and take an unscheduled blood test for sugar.

Thirst as a symptom of the disease

A constant feeling of thirst may accompany the following diseases:

• Diabetes. Elevated blood sugar leads to an increase in its osmolarity. Along the concentration gradient, water is directed from cells and tissues to the blood, thirst arises. If you are constantly thirsty (even after drinking a liquid), you constantly want to go to the toilet (to urinate), your weight decreases to obscenely small numbers, weakness and drowsiness appear - most likely diabetes develops.
• Diabetes insipidus is a disease that results from damage to a gland in the brain called the pituitary gland. There are a lot of reasons for its development, and the most basic symptom is increased urination (up to 10-20 liters per day) and, as a result of fluid loss, intense thirst.
• Hodgkin's lymphoma is a malignant lesion of the lymph nodes, one of the manifestations of which is profuse night sweats. A person can lose up to two liters of fluid per night. Accordingly, in the morning the patient drinks a lot of water. If these symptoms appear, you should contact a hematologist or oncologist.
• Adenoiditis, hypertrophic rhinitis. As a result of nasal congestion, a person begins to constantly breathe through his mouth, especially at night. Fluid is lost through the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, the cells dry out, dry mouth and thirst appear.
• Thyrotoxicosis, acromegaly, hyperparathyroidism (generalized hyperhidrosis). These are diseases of the endocrine system, which are characterized by increased sweating, which leads to thirst.
• Brain diseases (tumors, strokes, aneurysms that affect the drinking center).
• Intestinal bleeding (hemorrhoids, tumors, ulcerative colitis). These diseases lead to small but constant loss of blood and, along with it, fluid.
• Mental disorders when the patient drinks large amounts of water.

What to do with strong thirst?

1. Contact your general practitioner or family doctor.
2. Get a clinical blood test and sugar test.
3. Biochemical blood test for the content of electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, calcium).
4. Analysis of feces for occult blood.
5. Contact an endocrinologist to exclude the pathology of the endocrine glands.
6. Contact an oncologist to rule out malignant neoplasms.

If after the examination the cause is not established, it is recommended to do a computed tomography to exclude brain tumors, strokes and cerebral aneurysms and consult a psychiatrist to rule out mental disorders. Only after establishing the cause of thirst can treatment begin, which consists in eliminating the underlying pathology that caused this symptom.