Diabetes Insipidus - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Diabetes Insipidus, often shortened to DI, is a rare form of diabetes that is not related to diabetes mellitus, but does share its signs and symptoms. This Diabetes.co.uk guide shows what diabetes insipidus is, how it affects the body, the different forms of diabetes insipidus, and how it is diagnosed.
Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes Insipidus
Excessive urination and extreme thirst (especially for cold water and sometimes ice or ice water) are typical for DI. Symptoms of diabetes insipidus are quite similar to those of untreated diabetes mellitus, with the distinction that the urine is not sweet as it does not contain glucose and there is no hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose).
Depending on the severity of the condition, urine output can range from 2.5 liters per day if you have mild diabetes insipidus to 15 liters per day if the condition is severe and if you’re taking in a lot of fluids. In comparison, the average urine output for a healthy adult is in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 liters a day.
Causes Of Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition that occurs when the kidneys are unable to conserve water as they perform their function of filtering blood. The amount of water conserved is controlled by antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also called vasopressin.
ADH is a hormone produced in a region of the brain called the hypothalamus.
Central diabetes insipidus may be caused by insufficient production of antidiuretic hormone by the hypothalamus. Alternatively, the disorder may be caused by failure of the pituitary gland to release antidiuretic hormone into the bloodstream.
Treatment Of Diabetes Insipidus
Medical Care
In an emergency, most patients with diabetes insipidus (DI) can drink enough fluid to replace their urine losses. Replace losses with dextrose and water or IV fluid hyposmolar to the patient’s serum. Avoid hyperglycemia, volume overload, and a correction of hypernatremia that is too rapid. A good rule of thumb is to reduce serum sodium by 0.5 mmol/L/h. Water deficit may be calculated based on the assumption that body water is approximately 60% of body weight in kilograms.
If your diabetes insipidus is caused by kidneys that don’t work well with ADH, then DDAVP won’t help. Other medicines, like hydrochlorothiazide (a “water” pill), may help. Water pills help your body balance salt and water.
