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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Constant Thirst, Constant Dry Mouth. History Of Brain Injury Due To Car Accident. Advice

I was in a car accident in 1990 and received a traumatic brain injury. Well, they say I was thirsty back then. Now its been more then 20 years and my mouth still always feels so dry. I've tried different toothpastes, mouthwashes, etc. Nothing seems to really work. I can drink until my stomach hurts, but I try not to. I do not drink alcohol, nor smoke. I drink only diet sodas and water, sometimes flavored. It feels like my mouth will not absorb the liquid or something. Will my constant thirst ever get better? Not everyone believes me sometimes that I'm thirsty, but I not only know it, I feel it. You know, dry mouth, no matter what I drink sometimes. Anything I can do for long distance trips? I can't be drinking so often traveling. I would never get to where I'm going, due to so many restroom breaks.
Sat, 8 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi and thanks for using this pane for your health worries.
i am very about what you have been experiencing. It can be so annoying when you need to make so many restroom stops in a day.

From your history, I am afraid you could have diabetes insipidus. This is a condition where you are unable to concentrate urine appropriately and as a result, you urinate a lot, always feel thirsty and dehydrated. This makes you to drink more in order to prevent dehydration. This seems very classic in your case. The problem is probably the lack of hormone called antidiuretic hormone produced in the pituitary gland in the brain. Antidiuretic hormone controls that amount of fluid that the kidneys excrete.

The good news is we have treatment for this condition. But before we settle with this diagnosis, you will need to meet and discuss with an endocrinologist and probably get a few tests to make sure we are very accurate on this.

Hope this helps....and at least provide guidance to you.
In the mean time before visiting the doctor, continue to drink as much as needed to stay well hydrated.
Wish you good health and please feel free to come back to me for more answers.
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Constant Thirst, Constant Dry Mouth. History Of Brain Injury Due To Car Accident. Advice

Hi and thanks for using this pane for your health worries. i am very about what you have been experiencing. It can be so annoying when you need to make so many restroom stops in a day. From your history, I am afraid you could have diabetes insipidus. This is a condition where you are unable to concentrate urine appropriately and as a result, you urinate a lot, always feel thirsty and dehydrated. This makes you to drink more in order to prevent dehydration. This seems very classic in your case. The problem is probably the lack of hormone called antidiuretic hormone produced in the pituitary gland in the brain. Antidiuretic hormone controls that amount of fluid that the kidneys excrete. The good news is we have treatment for this condition. But before we settle with this diagnosis, you will need to meet and discuss with an endocrinologist and probably get a few tests to make sure we are very accurate on this. Hope this helps....and at least provide guidance to you. In the mean time before visiting the doctor, continue to drink as much as needed to stay well hydrated. Wish you good health and please feel free to come back to me for more answers.