Written by This is a question many ask after learning of this disorder. It is commonly confused with sugar diabetes or diabetes mellitus.
what is diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder that means the kidneys are not able to conserve water as they need to in able to filter the blood properly. Diabetes insipidus or DI is also known as water diabetes.
What is Diabetes insipidus and it’s symptoms?
Diabetes insipidus has distinct symptoms. The most common symptoms are extreme thirst and excessive urination. The thirst can at times be unmanageable and severe. People with this disease tend to urinate much more often than normal.
Many of the symptoms of Diabetes insipidus are similar to those of diabetes mellitus, but the urine does not contain glucose nor does the patient have high blood glucose levels as shown in someone with diabetes mellitus.
What is diabetes insipidus and what are the different types of diabetes insipidus?
There are three main types of diabetes insipidus.
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is caused by the lack of the hormone called vasopressin or the kidney’s inability to react to vasopressin. Vasopressin works by helping the body keep the water it needs. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus can also be inherited or caused by certain medications and kidney disease.
Neurogenic or central diabetes insipidus is caused by damage to the pituitary gland due to injury, infection, surgery or tumors.
Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is when there is damage or a defect to the body’s thirst mechanism.
What is diabetes insipidus and how is it diagnosed? Some adults go undiagnosed for many years so long as enough water is taken in to counteract the loss of urine. A Doctor must determine which form of diabetes insipidus is present before treatment begins as the treatment for each form of diabetes insipidus is different.
A urine sample will be taken for testing as well as a fluid deprivation test. Sometimes an MRI of the head is also ordered.
What is diabetes insipidus and how is it treated? Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is treated by reducing the amount of urine output. The Doctor may prescribe a low-salt diet or a medication to reduce frequent urination. If caused by a medication, that medication must be stopped.
Central diabetes insipidus is treated with a synthetic hormone to eliminate the increased urination. If there is an abnormal pituitary gland then the abnormality should be treated first. Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus has no specific treatment at this time.
When diagnosed with this disease many ask themselves what is diabetes insipidus? As you can see it is a rare and complex disorder.
Diabetes insipidus can usually be controlled once the cause is determined. The obvious treatment is controlling your hydration. Keep water with you at all times to prevent dehydration. Children and babies should be given water every few hours if they have been diagnosed with diabetes insipidus.
