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What Causes Excessive Thirst?
Posted on
Fri, 16 Dec 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 16 Dec 2016
Answered on
Fri, 13 Jan 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : I seem to have excessive thirst
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Excessive thirst can also be called polydipsia.
Causes can include: (1) diabetes mellitus- this is the more commonly known type of diabetes where there is an increase in the blood sugar
(2)zinc deficiency , not common cause
(3)diabetes insipidus- there would also be a history of increased urination
(4)psychological
(5)consequence of using any medication that causes dry mouth as a side effect
(6)dehydration
If you are a diabetic, then you should consider checking your blood sugars to make sure that they are in control. High blood sugars would cause polydipsia.
If this is not an issue for you, the next step would be to look at any traditional or herbal medications that you are using.
In addition, you should see your doctor so that he or she can check the concentration of your urine, an 24 urine collection is also needed as well as blood tests if diabetes insipidus is suspected.
If you are unable to see your doctor as this point, you can consider making a note of exactly how much you drink and urine passed.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Excessive thirst can also be called polydipsia.
Causes can include: (1) diabetes mellitus- this is the more commonly known type of diabetes where there is an increase in the blood sugar
(2)zinc deficiency , not common cause
(3)diabetes insipidus- there would also be a history of increased urination
(4)psychological
(5)consequence of using any medication that causes dry mouth as a side effect
(6)dehydration
If you are a diabetic, then you should consider checking your blood sugars to make sure that they are in control. High blood sugars would cause polydipsia.
If this is not an issue for you, the next step would be to look at any traditional or herbal medications that you are using.
In addition, you should see your doctor so that he or she can check the concentration of your urine, an 24 urine collection is also needed as well as blood tests if diabetes insipidus is suspected.
If you are unable to see your doctor as this point, you can consider making a note of exactly how much you drink and urine passed.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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