Thirst
Origin
Middle English, from Old English thurst; akin to Old High German durst thirst, Latin torrēre to dry, parch, Old Irish tart dryness, thirst, Greek tersesthai to become dry
Definitions
- 1a : a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat associated with a desire for liquids; also : the bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this sensation
- b : a desire or need to drink
- 2: an ardent desire : craving, longing <a thirst for success>
Description
Thirst is the craving for fluids, resulting in the basic instinct of animals to drink. It is an essential mechanism involved in fluid balance. It arises from a lack of fluids and/or an increase in the concentration of certain osmolites, such as salt. If the water volume of the body falls below a certain threshold or the osmolite concentration becomes too high, the brain signals thirst.
Continuous dehydration can cause many problems, but is most often associated with neurological problems such as seizures and renal problems.
Excessive thirst, known as polydipsia, along with excessive urination, known as polyuria, may be an indication of diabetes.
There are receptors and other systems in the body that detect a decreased volume or an increased osmolite concentration. They signal to the central nervous system, where central processing succeeds. Some sources, therefore, distinguish "extracellular thirst" from "intracellular thirst", where extracellular thirst is thirst generated by decreased volume and intracellular thirst is thirst generated by increased osmolite concentration. Nevertheless, the craving itself is something generated from central processing in the brain, no matter how it is detected.[1]
