Which term refers to excessive thirst?

The term that refers to excessive thirst is polydipsia. This medical term combines the prefix "poly-" which means "many" or "excessive," with "dipsia," which is derived from the Greek word "dipsa," meaning "thirst." Therefore, polydipsia specifically indicates a condition characterized by an abnormal increase in thirst, often seen in certain medical conditions such as diabetes.

The other terms do not relate to excessive thirst. For instance, polyuria refers to the production of an abnormally large volume of urine, which can accompany conditions like diabetes but does not address the sensation of thirst. Hyperhydration describes an excess of water in the body, while dehydration indicates a deficiency of water. Neither hyperhydration nor dehydration conveys the idea of increased thirst explicitly, which is the focus of polydipsia.