*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Thirst

It's normal to sometimes feel thirsty, but it's not normal to constantly feel thirsty even when you're drinking a lot. See a GP to find out what's causing your excessive thirst.

Why am I always thirsty?

Most of the time if you're feeling thirsty it's because you need to drink more fluids.

This can happen if you:

sweat a lot after doing exercise
are unwell with sickness and diarrhoea
do not drink enough fluids
drink too much alcohol or caffeine
eat salty or spicy food
have a high temperature
are pregnant

Important

Drink more fluids and avoid alcohol or caffeine to see if it helps. If you do not, you may be at risk of becoming dehydrated.

See a GP if you have excessive thirst and:

drinking more fluids for several days has not helped
you frequently need to pee
you're pregnant

The GP will check if your excessive thirst is being caused by something - for example, diabetes, anaemia or medicines you're taking.

The treatment you have will depend on what's causing your excessive thirst.

Dry mouth or excessive thirst?

You may think you're thirsty when you actually have a dry mouth.

If it's a dry mouth, you may have:

a burning sensation or soreness in your mouth
changes in your sense of taste
difficulty speaking, eating or swallowing

Find out more about dry mouth

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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