Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes Insipidus is a rare condition
that occurs when the kidneys cannot conserve water as they filter
toxins from the blood. As such, people with diabetes insipidus
generally have a constant urge to urinate and frequently feel thirsty.
This is not glucose-based Diabetes mellitus.
The Hypothalamus
In a normal body, a hormone called ADH (antidiuretic hormone) controls the amount of water that 
the kidneys release. ADH, also called vasopressin (VAS-oh-pres-in), is a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus (HY-puh-thal-uh-muss) region of the brain. The pituitary
(pee-TOO-ee-ter-ee) gland, which is located at the base of the brain,
releases the ADH hormone in order to control the release of urine.
However, when a person has diabetes insipidus
(in-sip-i-duh s), he or she does not have ADH (called central Diabetes
Insipidus) or has kidneys that do not respond to ADH (called
nephrogenic (NE-froj-e-nik) diabetes insipidus (in-SIP-i-duss)). As
such, a patient will urinate frequently. The frequent loss of water
causes the patient to be constantly thirsty.
Symptoms: Excessive urination and extreme thirst
Central Diabetes Insipidus is almost
always caused by damage to the brain in the pituitary gland or
hypothalamus region, though birth defects can also cause the condition.
The damage usually is the result of surgery, infection, abnormal
growths, or head injuries.
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus is
often caused by medications that make it impossible for the kidneys to
reabsorb water back into the bloodstream. The condition may also be
inherited from the maternal side.
- Diabetes Insipidus Complications
– Dry skin
– Dry mucous membranes– Sunken eyes
– Fever
– Rapid heart rate
– Unexplained weight loss
– Fatigue
– Electrolyte imbalance
– Headaches
– Irritability
– Muscle pain
Central Diabetes Insipidus is generally treated through medications.
Vasopressin, which is administered through a nasal spray or tablets, is
the most common medication used to treat diabetes insipidus.
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus may be caused by medications. Once
the medications are stopped, the condition may go away. If not, then a
person with Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus may have to drink fluids to
counteract those fluids that the body expels. Additionally, patients
with Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus may take medications to reduce the
need to urinate.
Contact your health care provider immediately if you think you have diabetes insipidus.
