Are You Always Thirsty? This Might Be Why!
By Sara Butler
Normally, when you’re really thirsty it’s because you haven’t gotten enough water that day or you’ve been enjoying a particularly salty snack. But thirst isn’t always a sign that you’re not drinking enough water. There are health conditions that can interrupt the balance of water or salt in your body, triggering thirst. If you are pretty good about drinking plenty of water every day and still feel thirsty, you may want to check with a healthcare professional to make sure one of these other conditions isn’t the culprit.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause dehydration, especially if you’re an undiagnosed diabetic. This is because high blood sugar levels spur your kidneys to increase urinary output to rid the body of the excess glucose (sugar) in your system. So, you will pee more frequently and find you’re thirsty more. If you have excess urination, thirst, unexplained weight loss, irritability, and fatigue, you need to see a medical professional to get tested for diabetes.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is often mistaken for excessive thirst because, theoretically, when your mouth is dry you want to make it wet! Xerostomia is an abnormal dryness of the mouth caused by a reduction in saliva. If your saliva glands aren’t making enough to keep your mouth wet, then you end up drinking more to counter it. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, but can also be caused by some conditions and diseases. So, get checked out if this is a problem that sounds familiar.
Anemia
Sudden or ongoing blood loss is the most common cause of anemia, causing your body to lose more blood cells than it can replace. This means your body will look to replace fluids it has lost by triggering your thirst. Thyroid problems in women can also lead to anemia, so if you’re thirsty a lot, this could be why. Make sure you bring it to the attention of your healthcare provider!
Low Blood Pressure
If you’re under chronic stress, it can wear out your adrenal glands. This can result in low blood pressure in the most severe cases, leading to dizziness, anxiety, depression, and extreme thirst. Your body is trying to raise your blood pressure by adding more fluid to your blood. This isn’t a long-term solution that will fix the problem, so make sure if you’re under a lot of stress, you’re searching for ways to deal with it effectively. Health should always be your biggest priority.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.