What Causes a Person to Be Thirsty?

Thirst is a process designed to regulate the fluid balance in the animal body, especially if sodium intake has recently increased. However, thirst may also be the symptom of a serious medical problem. Healthy individuals should drink enough fluids to urinate every two to four hours, and urine should be a pale color. Dark urine can be a symptom of dehydration.

Dehydration

• Thirst is a symptom of dehydration, along with a dry and sticky mouth and decreased urination. Other symptoms of dehydration may include headache and dry skin. In more severe cases of dehydration, people may suffer from delirium, unconsciousness and excessive thirst. Avoid drinks which contain diuretics, such as soda and coffee. Rehydrate with water. Drink about a cup of water before, during and just after exercise to prevent dehydration.

Diabetes

• Besides dehydration, thirst can also be a symptom of diabetes, an endocrine system disorder. Diabetic individuals' bodies are incapable of regulating blood sugars. Other symptoms of diabetes may include fatigue, weight loss or gain, injuries that heal slowly, and urination that may occur as frequently as every hour. Treatments may include insulin treatments or oral diabetes medications.

Lifestyle and Diet Contributions

• Thirst can also be related to your diet. Those who eat spicy or salty foods may find themselves feeling thirsty more frequently than those who consume other foods. Illnesses that cause diarrhea and nausea are likely to contribute to dehydration, which can promote thirst. Certain drugs, like anticholinergics or phenothiazines, also cause thirst.

Heart, Kidney and Liver Failure

• Body fluids may move from the bloodstream and into body tissues because of liver, kidney or heart failure, leading to thirst. Heart pump medication and blood vessel dilators are two courses of many available treatments for heart failure. Liver failure can be treated by curing an underlying virus responsible for the condition or by preserving part of the liver. A liver transplant may be necessary. Kidney failure can be treated through diet changes, such as limiting sodium or potassium. You may need to undergo dialysis treatments.