Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Thirst is your body’s way of telling you that you need more water. It is a strong urge to drink fluids. Thirst is a common symptom that can be experienced for a number of reasons.
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Symptoms of Thirst
When there are changes to the body’s balance of water, multiple areas in the brain are activated triggering the sensation of thirst. Symptoms of thirst may include:
These symptoms are an automatic response that motivates you to find and drink water so the balance of fluids in the body may be restored.
Causes of Thirst
Common causes of thirst include:
Be Aware of DehydrationUntreated dehydration can lead to serious complications if fluids are not restored. If you’re experiencing feelings of thirst along with other dehydration symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, or dark urine, rehydrate with water or other rehydration solutions (e.g., Pedialyte).If your dehydration is severe, you cannot keep fluids down, or if your symptoms don’t subside with fluid intake, go to a hospital. In this instance, a healthcare professional will likely give you fluids through the vein (called intravenous fluids) to rehydrate you quickly.
Be Aware of Dehydration
Untreated dehydration can lead to serious complications if fluids are not restored. If you’re experiencing feelings of thirst along with other dehydration symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, or dark urine, rehydrate with water or other rehydration solutions (e.g., Pedialyte).If your dehydration is severe, you cannot keep fluids down, or if your symptoms don’t subside with fluid intake, go to a hospital. In this instance, a healthcare professional will likely give you fluids through the vein (called intravenous fluids) to rehydrate you quickly.
Untreated dehydration can lead to serious complications if fluids are not restored. If you’re experiencing feelings of thirst along with other dehydration symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, or dark urine, rehydrate with water or other rehydration solutions (e.g., Pedialyte).
If your dehydration is severe, you cannot keep fluids down, or if your symptoms don’t subside with fluid intake, go to a hospital. In this instance, a healthcare professional will likely give you fluids through the vein (called intravenous fluids) to rehydrate you quickly.
What Medications Can Cause Thirst?
Certain medications can cause thirst, including:
How to Treat Thirst
The best treatment for thirst is to drink fluids, especially water. Water helps quench thirst and replenish fluids to rebalance the body. Once the water deficit is restored, the feeling of thirst should disappear.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Thirst?
There are no tests available to diagnose thirst, but if thirst is excessive and ongoing and with unexplained causes, your healthcare provider may order tests to determine the cause.
If you are drinking water or other fluids regularly but you still experience extreme thirst and the need to drink more fluids than typically recommended, speak with a healthcare provider.Polydipsia, or extreme thirst, could be a symptom of a variety of medical conditions, such ashigh blood sugar.
You should contact a medical professional if you experience excessive thirst along with unexplained symptoms such as:
Summary
Thirst is your body’s way of urging you to drink liquids. Symptoms of thirst are normal sensations that direct you to replenish your body’s fluids, and should diminish once you drink more water.
Thirst can be experienced when exercising, spending time outdoors, eating certain foods, or taking certain medications. It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencingexcessive thirst (polydipsia)orexcessive urination (polyuria).
A Word From Verywell
More than half the human body is water and nearly every cell in the body requires water, which is why thirst is a very important sensation. Thirst helps to ensure your body has enough water for all your cells to function.
If you feel thirsty often, you may want to reflect on your daily habits and whether you are drinking enough fluids throughout the day. On a busy day, you may notice your thirst, and then realize you have only had coffee and no water. Or, you may feel thirsty after eating something very spicy, sugary, or salty. These scenarios are common and normal.
Each person may require a different amount of water for their body to function at its best, but generally about 6 cups of water per day is sufficient.It’s important to remember that water needs may increase with heavy exercise, sweating, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. If you’re unsure of your water needs, consult with your healthcare team.
Each person may require a different amount of water for their body to function at its best, but generally about 6 cups of water per day is sufficient.
It’s important to remember that water needs may increase with heavy exercise, sweating, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. If you’re unsure of your water needs, consult with your healthcare team.
The most common signs of dehydration in adults are:HeadacheDelirium or confusionTirednessDizziness, weakness, and light-headednessDry mouthDry coughA high heart rate paired with low blood pressureLoss of appetiteFlushed skinSwollen feetMuscle crampsHeat intoleranceChillsConstipationDark urineFeeling cranky and anxiousIf you’re feeling symptoms of dehydration, drink water or fluids to rehydrate.
The most common signs of dehydration in adults are:
If you’re feeling symptoms of dehydration, drink water or fluids to rehydrate.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zimmerman CA, Leib DE, Knight ZA.Neural circuits underlying thirst and fluid homeostasis.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2017;18(8):459-469. doi:10.1038/nrn.2017.71Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition.Perception of Thirst.Medline Plus.Dehydration.Medline Plus.Demeclocycline.Medline Plus.Thirst - excessive.Saltmarsh M.Thirst: or, why do people drink?Nutrition Bulletin. 2001;26(1):53-58. doi:10.1046/j.1467-3010.2001.00097.xAmerican Heart Association.Staying Hydrated - Staying Healthy.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zimmerman CA, Leib DE, Knight ZA.Neural circuits underlying thirst and fluid homeostasis.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2017;18(8):459-469. doi:10.1038/nrn.2017.71Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition.Perception of Thirst.Medline Plus.Dehydration.Medline Plus.Demeclocycline.Medline Plus.Thirst - excessive.Saltmarsh M.Thirst: or, why do people drink?Nutrition Bulletin. 2001;26(1):53-58. doi:10.1046/j.1467-3010.2001.00097.xAmerican Heart Association.Staying Hydrated - Staying Healthy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zimmerman CA, Leib DE, Knight ZA.Neural circuits underlying thirst and fluid homeostasis.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2017;18(8):459-469. doi:10.1038/nrn.2017.71Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition.Perception of Thirst.Medline Plus.Dehydration.Medline Plus.Demeclocycline.Medline Plus.Thirst - excessive.Saltmarsh M.Thirst: or, why do people drink?Nutrition Bulletin. 2001;26(1):53-58. doi:10.1046/j.1467-3010.2001.00097.xAmerican Heart Association.Staying Hydrated - Staying Healthy.
Zimmerman CA, Leib DE, Knight ZA.Neural circuits underlying thirst and fluid homeostasis.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2017;18(8):459-469. doi:10.1038/nrn.2017.71
Medline Plus.Dehydration.
Medline Plus.Demeclocycline.
Medline Plus.Thirst - excessive.
Saltmarsh M.Thirst: or, why do people drink?Nutrition Bulletin. 2001;26(1):53-58. doi:10.1046/j.1467-3010.2001.00097.x
American Heart Association.Staying Hydrated - Staying Healthy.
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