What It Really Means When You Wake Up Thirsty
Picture this: you wake up from a long night's sleep and the first thing you notice is how dry or sticky your throat feels. You head to the bathroom and gulp down water to quench your thirst. Sound familiar? There are many reasons you may be feeling thirsty as soon as you wake up.
The most obvious reason your throat might be dry when you wake up is that you are dehydrated. Dehydration occurs when your body loses more water than it takes in (via Mayo Clinic). The simplest way to get dehydrated is to drink very little throughout the day. Your body needs a substantial amount of water to stay hydrated. Dehydration can also be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, increased urination, and excessive sweating.
You can prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. You should also eat fruits and vegetables that have a high water content, such as cucumbers, watermelon, and apples. Avoid drinking too many liquids right before bed, however. This may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
Dehydration isn't the only reason you may wake up feeling parched
Some medications can make you feel thirsty as a side effect. These include corticosteroids, SGLT2 inhibitors, antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and anticholinergics (via Healthline). Talk to your doctor if these symptoms are bothering you or if there is a way to relieve them.
You may also feel thirsty in the morning if you had a few too many drinks the night before. When alcohol is broken down in the body, a chemical called acetaldehyde is released. This chemical can make you feel thirsty. Alcohol also increases urination, which can cause dehydration.
A dry throat in the morning may be caused by your bedroom environment. Breathing in dry air all night can make you feel parched in the morning, especially if you sleep with your mouth open. Using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device for sleep apnea can also make your mouth feel dry. Talk to your doctor if waking up thirsty is affecting your sleep and they should be able to help you find a solution.