Polydipsia

Increased fluid requirement, caused by pathological thirst. Thirst – a condition of the body when an uncontrollable desire to drink arises. Chronic, recurrent, life-threatening disorder. The main reasons:

– dehydration of the body during polyuria;

– blood hyperosmolarity, which is related to hyperglycemia, azotemia, ketonemia, hyperlactatemia, and increased concentration of other ions; blood serum osmolality higher than normal (about 300 mosmol/kg);

– dryness of the mouth and throat mucosa caused by suppression of salivary gland function.

Polydipsia is characteristic of diabetes, nephrogenic, and other diseases.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė