Durstgefühl

Durstgefühl, in German, denotes the conscious sensation of thirst and the motivation to drink fluids. It is a central component of fluid balance and is discussed in physiology, medicine and nutrition as the perceptual cue that follows changes in body hydration and osmolality.

The regulation of Durstgefühl involves the hypothalamus, osmoreceptors and peripheral signals. Osmoreceptors detect increases in plasma osmolality, such as from dehydration or high salt intake, and trigger both the subjective feeling of thirst and the release of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) from the posterior pituitary. Vasopressin promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys, helping to restore osmolality. A decrease in extracellular fluid volume or blood pressure activates baroreceptors and the renin–angiotensin system, producing angiotensin II, which also stimulates thirst. Brain regions in the lamina terminalis, including the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, play a central role in generating the thirst urge.

Several factors can modulate Durstgefühl beyond osmolality, such as dry mouth, heat, exercise, fever, caffeine or alcohol use, and cognitive cues. Age-related changes may blunt thirst perception, increasing the risk of dehydration in older adults.

Clinical relevance includes conditions with altered thirst regulation, such as diabetes insipidus or diabetes mellitus, where polydipsia (excessive thirst) is common. In healthy individuals, Durstgefühl serves as a practical, albeit imperfect, indicator of hydration status, informing daily fluid intake and clinical assessments.