What’s WRONG WITH ME?

Common symptoms and what could be causing them. This week: Feeling unusually thirsty

DRINKING too much alcohol or caffeine are common causes of excessive thirst, but you may also feel unusually thirsty if you have an upset stomach, or experience vomiting or diarrhoea.

If the feeling persists despite drinking extra fluid – which includes all liquids, such as tea, coffee, soup and sugar-free soft drinks – there may be an underlying health problem.

Diabetes can lead to excessive thirst and increase the urge to go to the toilet, as sugar builds up in the blood and the body is forced to work extra hard to filter it.

Anaemia, caused by a lack of iron in the body, can also lead to thirstiness, or it could be a side effect of medicines you are taking.