Water - why am I NEVER thirsty??

Thirst is triggered by ADH, a hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus (control center of the brain) and excreted from the pituitary gland. A test can indicate whether there is an insufficient amount of this hormone. If your ADH levels are normal, take a look at your diet- foods have a lot of water in them, especially fruits and vegetables but meats as well. Remember, water is essential for life of plants and animals. The more of these things that you eat, the less you will crave water. Other posts suggest coffee, tea, and alcohol- these actually dehydrate you so they have nothing to do with the lack of thirst. If your ADH levels are normal and you tend to not eat many foods packed with water then your problem is merely psychological. Try adding flavor to your water (not caffeine) and instead of waiting for dehydration that leaves your brain literally bathing in dirty water (hence the headaches) drink water throughout the day or eat water rich foods to help you along. Many people walk around feeling tired, unable to concentrate, suffering from pains in their muscles and joints, daily headaches, and even nausea not knowing that all they need is more hydration. Habits are habits... some good; some bad.

Nope, no tea or coffee or even alcohol.

When I have a bad headache I have an ice lolly or two to try get my fluids up.

Here is the wierdest thing. I can't even drink alcohol. If I have a glass of wine
or an alcopop or something, once I get to drink number 3 I start my hangover
immediately (no next day hangover for me just a ruined night). I often
wondered if this was because I was de-hydrated already and have had a
glass of water, then a glass of wine, then another water, then another wine
and then comes the headache!! So I just gave up alcohol altogether, there
is simply no point because I can't enjoy it.

When I was 18 - 22 I would have drank any guy under the table (can drink here
from age 18) so I don't know what on earth happened.

I would get your liver and kidney tested.
Especially after admitting to drinking that much in a day.

I don't know why your doc thinks it's strange. You just stopped responding to your own thirst signal a loooooong time ago. To get that thirst drive back, simply determine to drink 8-10 glasses/jars of water tomorrow....keep track of it. YOu will probably pee a lot. After a day or so, you will start to feel thirsty/feel like drinking water. But be aware that you are in the HABIT of ignoring your thirst, so you will have to determine to respond to the thirst signal, or perhaps just keep track of your water intake for a while.

I don't feel thirsty ever either - I make myself drink water! I have just over come a stomach bug and everyone was saying drink water drink water!! I went to the doctor one evening as my stomach pains were so bad and he tested my hydration levels.. they were very good!

Baring in mind I hadn't had one glass of water that day and I was on the toilet every half an hour - I am very confused!

I don't suffer from headaches at all, I think I must retain water from my food or something?!!?

I was also always like this PLUS I eat TONS of *sea* salt. And I mean "tons" by anyone's standards. I am good about water now because I just force myself to keep chugging (and I add fruit) by always having my water next to me whether car, home, literally anywhere. Now I'm drinking about 140 ounces to 200 ounces per day. But I still don't "like" it.

But I learned (after 30 years of not drinking water) to really pay attention to dehydration cues like not peeing much, dry lips, dry mouth, feeling of hunger, dizziness, headache, muscle fatigue, etc.

Honestly, I think if you're a person who's conditioned their body (in a negative way) over years and years... you start thinking the way you feel is "normal/fine" and your body doesn't really "cue" like people who drink a healthy amount. I don't know what the reason is, but I was the same way until I really held myself to drinking water. Now *finally* my body very clearly signals to me when I've not had enough. But I still have to force myself to drink. And yes, I always use some sort of sport bottle, straw, or infuser. Never a "glass of water".

rosekittie wrote: »

I am never thirsty. Ever. Which is not a good thing where I have lived, Texas, Montego Bay, and Thailand. I feel the same way when I try to drink a lot of water. My throat kind of swells and I can't drink much at a time. I find that drinking room temperature water sipping every few minutes is the easiest way to get water in me.

I have no idea how much damage I've done to myself going years only drinking water every few days, but I find drinking really helps my skin, weight, and how I feel.

Have you been checked for reflux? That sounds similar to the symptoms I dealt with for years.

@rosekittie

Oops, necro thread.

oh well.

Good to know there are others like me. I frequently go the whole day and forget to drink anything. I only drink water, but it never actually occurs to me to drink until I start getting headaches or feeling dizzy. I'm also a super active person and frequently engage in endurance activities and this means I'm basically chronically dehydrated. I know it's not good for me and I do try to remember, but it's so easy not to drink all day and then try to chug water at night to make up for lost time.

Fortunately, during berry season, I eat every blueberry, cherry and raspberry I can get my hands on. At least I get water from fruit once in a while.

CameronCLC wrote: »

Thirst is triggered by ADH, a hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus (control center of the brain) and excreted from the pituitary gland. A test can indicate whether there is an insufficient amount of this hormone. If your ADH levels are normal, take a look at your diet- foods have a lot of water in them, especially fruits and vegetables but meats as well. Remember, water is essential for life of plants and animals. The more of these things that you eat, the less you will crave water. Other posts suggest coffee, tea, and alcohol- these actually dehydrate you so they have nothing to do with the lack of thirst. If your ADH levels are normal and you tend to not eat many foods packed with water then your problem is merely psychological. Try adding flavor to your water (not caffeine) and instead of waiting for dehydration that leaves your brain literally bathing in dirty water (hence the headaches) drink water throughout the day or eat water rich foods to help you along. Many people walk around feeling tired, unable to concentrate, suffering from pains in their muscles and joints, daily headaches, and even nausea not knowing that all they need is more hydration. Habits are habits... some good; some bad.

Interesting link ... in relation to the alcohol comments by OP, alcohol actually inhibits ADH (anti diuretic hormone).

Love a bit of internet group diagnosis.

azbycx1 wrote: »

I am the exact same way! I rarely ever feel thirsty and never get any of the symptoms of dehydration, often drinking only one glass of water every couple of days.
I found a link that perfectly describes the cause of this, as well as how to cure it.
http://www.sonima.com/food/dehydrated/

There's some interesting, and good information.. AND some really bad information in there. Electrolyte drinks allow more fluid to be processed into the body more efficiently and faster.

TL;DR

Drink sips of water(half a coffee cup or so) 2-3 times an hour spread out all day. Guzzling water if you're severely and chronically dehydrated doesn't work.

Break Break.

This is basic common knowledge. A properly and fully hydrated person under stress can process about half a liter of water every 20-30 minutes.