It’s normal to experience thirst after eating something salty or spicy, when it’s hot outside, or after engaging in physical activity. According to WebMD, it’s the body’s way of “telling you that it’s running low on water, which it needs to work well.”
If the sensation is persistent and continues even after drinking something, or is accompanied by blurry vision or fatigue it may be an indication of excessive thirst. Medically referred to as polydipsia, excessive thirst is often an indication of a more serious underlying health condition—such as these six.
Dehydration occurs when the body lacks the necessary amount of water to function properly. Thirst is the main symptom of dehydration, which can happen for a variety of reasons, such as illness, excessive sweating, exercise, diarrhea or vomiting.
Beyond the need for water, WebMD says additional symptoms of dehydration may include dark-colored urine, infrequent urination, dry mouth, dry skin, feeling tired or lightheaded, and headache.