The Cause of Polydipsia

Polydipsia means excessive thirst or excessive water consumption. It is a symptom rather than a disease. It may be the results of blood or fluid loss. It is also a symptom of diabetes. Psychological polydipsia is associated with schizophrenia. Too much water can lower the sodium and electrolyte content of the blood and produce strokes or heart attacks.

Significance

• The word polydipsia come from the greek words poly (many or much) and dipsia (thirst). It has been part of the medical vocabulary since ancient times.

Function

• Thirst regulates fluid volume and salt concentration. A sensor in the brain detects these conditions in the bloodstream and initiates the search for water.

Detection

• One possible cause of polydipsia is a flaw in the detection process so the animal or human cannot detect dehydration. This is rare--usually polydipsia is a symptom of some serious systemic problem.

Diabetes

• One of the early warning signs of diabetes is polydipsia--especially when it is combined with polyuria (excessive urination). It takes a blood sugar and blood insulin test to confirm the diagnosis.

Warning

• The body's ability to trigger thirst diminishes with age. Starting at about age 50, this can mean an increased danger of dehydration. Elderly people need to make an extra effort to get enough water.