While waking up thirsty may be a minor annoyance, if it occurs frequently, it may indicate a health problem that requires your attention. Consider the following possibilities if your desire for something to drink keeps you awake at night.
Is it the environment in which I sleep?
A cooler room is preferable to a warmer one if you want to sleep soundly.
Experts recommend keeping the temperature in your bedroom between 60 and 70°F (16 and 21°C).
If you wake up thirsty, it’s possible that your home’s air is too dry.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you maintain a humidity level of 30% to 50% in your home. This area is sufficiently dry to prevent mould growth.
Am I suffering from dehydration?
The amount of water that individuals require on a daily basis varies.
Consume eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily on average. If you’ve recently exercised vigorously, worked in the heat, or lost a lot of fluids due to vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever, you may need to drink more liquids to replace the lost water and electrolytes.
It is especially critical for children and older adults to monitor their water intake closely, as their sense of thirst may not be an accurate indicator of their hydration levels.
Is this a side effect of a medication I’m currently taking?
Thirst is a common side effect of a variety of prescription medications, including the following:
- steroids corticosteroids
- Inhibitors of SGLT2
- Antipsychotic medications, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and anticholinergic medications
If you wake up thirsty after taking one of these medications, you may want to speak with your doctor about a possible alternative that won’t have you reaching for the faucet in the middle of the night.
Is this a case of the dreaded hangover?
If you consume a large number of alcoholic beverages in a short period of time, you may wake up parched.
Your thirst response may be triggered by diuresis — the process by which fluids are lost through urination — as well as by other chemical mechanisms within the body.
When alcohol is broken down in the body, a chemical called acetaldehyde is produced.
Additionally to causing other physiological reactions, this chemical stimulates the sensation of thirst.
If you’re feeling hungover, try steadily sipping:
- sports drinks made with water and herbal tea to replenish electrolytes
- a clear broth to replenish your sodium stores
Is this due to obstructive sleep apnea?
You may be breathing through your mouth at night if you have sleep apnea.
The discomfort of a dry mouth may cause you to awaken. Additionally, using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device may exacerbate dry mouth.
If you currently use a CPAP machine, you can discuss with your doctor the possibility of switching to one that is less likely to dry out your mouth at night.
It’s also critical to discuss dry mouth with your dentist. Insufficient saliva in the mouth can result in tooth decay.
Is this menopause or perimenopause?
Both oestrogen and progesterone, the reproductive hormones, are critical for fluid regulation and thirst in the body. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can result in hot flashes, night sweats, and increased thirst.
Researchers examined sweating patterns in premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women during exercise in a 2013 study. The study discovered that premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women perceived themselves to be thirstier than premenopausal women both before and after exercise.
If you’re going through menopause, it’s especially critical to drink plenty of water each day.
Is this a sign of diabetes?
Excessive thirst is a symptom of diabetes mellitus. When your body is unable to properly process sugar, your kidneys work overtime to remove excess sugar from your bloodstream. Your kidneys produce more urine, prompting you to drink more water.
Other related conditions, such as:
- central diabetes insipidus
- nephrogenic diabetes insipidus dipsogenic diabetes insipidus
Both central and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus can impair your ability to produce or absorb vasopressin. Vasopressin, alternatively known as antidiuretic hormone, is a hormone that regulates the body’s water balance.
As a result of excessive urine loss, you experience an almost unquenchable sensation of thirst.
What else is it possible to be?
Sjögren’s Syndrome
Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the glands that keep the eyes and mouth moist. It is more prevalent in women than in men.
Additionally, it can result in the following:
- Dryness of the vaginal cavity rashes dry skin joint pain systemic inflammation
- Gum chewing and lozenge use may help alleviate dry mouth.
- Your doctor may prescribe medications to help your body’s immune response to be more controlled.
Anaemia
Anemia is a condition in which your red blood cells are depleted. Fatigue or tiredness is the most frequently reported symptom of anaemia. Increased thirst, on the other hand, can be a symptom. Certain types of anaemia may occasionally result in dehydration.
Although anaemia is typically a mild condition, if left untreated, it can progress to more serious health problems. Consult your physician if you believe it may be connected to the cause of your nighttime awakenings.
Failure of the heart, kidneys, or liver
If you have severe heart, kidney, or liver failure, you may experience extreme thirst as your body attempts to maintain a healthy balance of water and electrolytes.
Around 70% of people in intensive care units with these conditions experienced moderate to severe thirst, according to several studies.
Should I consult a physician?
Always consult a healthcare provider if you have concerns about a symptom or condition you are experiencing.
Without a doubt, schedule a doctor’s visit if:
- You will never be able to quench your thirst regardless of how much you drink.
- Each day, you urinate an increasing amount of urine.
- You’re frequently exhausted.
- Your vision is hazy.
- You have unhealed wounds, cuts, or sores.
- Your thirst is accompanied by an insatiable appetite.
Conclusion
If you awaken during the night with a thirsty feeling, the cause could be your sleeping environment, your hydration habits, or a medication you are taking.
A small adjustment to your routine may result in a restful night’s sleep.
However, if you frequently wake up thirsty, an underlying health condition may be to blame.
In this case, keep track of how frequently you awaken in this state and any other symptoms you notice. Inform your physician of your concerns. Your body may be communicating something vital to you.
