Polydipsia

As polydipsia [Greek πολυδιψία, πολύ = much δίψα = thirst ( διψία is based on the ancient Greek πολυδίψιος = much thirsty ) ] is called in medicine pathologically increased thirst. It is often associated because of increased fluid intake with polyuria. The opposite of polydipsia, ie a non-existent sense of thirst is called Adipsie.

Thirst and increased drinking may be banal, but also a sign of serious, sometimes life- threatening diseases. The daily fluid intake in adults is normally not exceed four liters. At higher amounts of an underlying disease should be medically excluded.

Causes

The cause of this disease is usually in the decreased ability of the kidney to concentrate the urine. This leads to water loss in the urine. The increased excretion also increases the feeling of thirst and there is necessarily to increased drinking to compensate for the fluid balance.

Possible the underlying disease may include: diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, diseases of the parathyroid gland ( hyperparathyroidism ), Cushing's syndrome, electrolyte imbalance (hypercalcemia ), kidney disease, taking water ausschwemmender medications ( diuretics), a side effect of various medications, Psychogenic disorders ( behavioral and personality disorder, such as anorexia Deferred ), alcohol-related brain damage ( eg central pontine myelinolysis ). Also, increased alcohol consumption, fever and diarrhea can lead to a temporary polydipsia with little clinical significance.

Complications

As a complication of an increased excretion is always the danger of dehydration if insufficient liquid is supplied.

It may also be a loss of salts and minerals in the body, which are excreted in the urine and not resumed.

Therapy

The therapy consists of treating the underlying disease. The main objective is to detect and treat serious causes of increased thirst and pathological drinking. Very common is diabetes mellitus, the cause of the feeling of thirst.