I still feel thirsty even though I drink water frequently

Many people drink water every day, but they still feel very thirsty after drinking water every day, and it is an abnormal thirst. If you often feel thirsty after drinking water, it is possible that the body is dehydrated, or you have done too much physical labor before. In addition, the body is prone to sweating in the hot summer, and water evaporates quickly, so you feel thirsty. It is also possible that the thirst is caused by diabetes, brain damage, or other complications.

Reason 1: Lack of water in the human body causes thirst

People will feel thirsty when the weather is hot, when doing heavy physical labor, when losing blood, when suffering from burns, when vomiting, when having diarrhea, or when sweating profusely due to high temperature (heat stroke). This is because the thirst is caused by severe lack of water in the human body. In this condition, people often experience symptoms such as dry mouth, haggard face, sunken eye sockets, and dry and inflexible skin. Some people may experience thirst symptoms because they eat too much salt that day.

Solution: Thirst caused by excessive salt intake can be eliminated by eating a salt-free meal every day. In fact, thirst is the body's own unique protective mechanism that protects it from dehydration. Generally speaking, an adult needs about 2200 ml of water per day. 1000 ml of water can be obtained from food, and the other 1200 ml must be supplemented from drinking water to meet the body's physiological needs. Once the body's water balance is restored, this "protective" thirst disappears.

Reason 2: Thirst caused by diabetes

One of the functions of hormones is to coordinate the metabolism of water and salt in the human body. Once the balance of this hormone is disrupted, it can cause constant thirst. Many diabetic patients have high blood sugar, which causes a sharp increase in urine output. At this time, even if you drink a lot of water, you will still feel unbearable thirst.

Solution: If a diabetic patient continues to feel thirsty while taking insulin or glucose-lowering medication, this indicates that his or her condition is worsening. If this happens, you should go to the hospital to check your blood sugar and immediately start taking glucose-lowering medications, while ensuring your daily water needs.

Reason 3: Thirst caused by brain damage

Some people also experience thirst after a brain injury or neurosurgery. The patient is often fatal within a day or even an hour, which is very dangerous. At this time, diabetes insipidus worsens. Patients should drink 10 or even 20 liters of water every day. This is because the patient lacks the so-called "urination-limiting hormone" in the body.

Solution: When there is a patient in the family who has suffered a brain injury or has undergone neurosurgery, family members should take extra care of the patient. Because the onset is acute, you should see a neurologist immediately after experiencing the above symptoms.

Reason 4: Thirst caused by excess hormones

People with hyperthyroidism often feel thirsty, and the excess hormone often causes tooth loss, bone pain, rapid fatigue, muscle weakness, and rapid weight loss. The calcium lost from the bones can even turn the urine white.

Solution: If the above symptoms occur, you should consult an endocrinologist as soon as possible. Only by controlling hyperthyroidism and balancing metabolism can the symptoms of thirst be relieved.

Reason 5: Thirst caused by kidney disease

People with kidney disease may also experience frequent thirst. This is because the kidneys have lost the ability to retain water and therefore require large amounts of water. There are many types of kidney disease, among which pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, hydronephrosis, etc. can cause thirst. Even with decreased urine output and edema, patients may still feel thirsty.

Solution: The thirst in this case is a sign of renal insufficiency. Unfortunately, this extremely dangerous phenomenon is often not discovered in time. Even if it is discovered, it is already too late, so that the patient can only rely on hemodialysis or kidney transplantation to prolong his life. Therefore, paying attention to thirst in time will protect your kidneys from further damage. Be sure to go to the kidney disease clinic for symptomatic treatment as soon as possible, and do not drink a lot of water to solve the thirst caused by kidney disease.