Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes insipidus (DI) causes frequent urination. You become extremely thirsty, so you drink. Then you urinate. This cycle can keep you from sleeping or even make you wet the bed. Your body produces big volumes of urine that are almost all water.

DI is different from diabetes mellitus (DM), which involves insulin problems and high blood sugar. The symptoms can be similar; however, DI is related to how your kidneys handle fluids. It's much less common than DM. Urine and blood tests can show which one you have.

Usually, DI is caused by a problem with your pituitary gland or your kidneys. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. Medicines can often help.

Diabetes Insipidus on Wikipedia

'''Diabetes insipidus''' ('''DI''') is a disease characterized by excretion of large amounts of severely diluted urine, which cannot be reduced when fluid intake is reduced. It denotes inability of the kidney to concentrate urine. DI is caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone, or by an insensitivity of the kidneys to that hormone.

Signs and symptoms

Excessive urination and extreme thirst (expecially for cold water) are typical for DI. Symptoms of diabetes insipidus are quite similar to those of severely deranged diabetes mellitus, with the distinction that the urine is not sweet and there is no hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose). Blurred vision is a rarity. The extreme urination continues throughout the day and the night. In children, DI can interfere with appetite, eating, weight gain, and growth as well. They may present with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Adults with untreated DI may remain healthy for decades as long as enough water is drunk to offset the urinary losses. However, there is a continuous risk of dehydration.

Diagnosis

In order to distinguish DI from other causes of excess urination, blood glucose, bicarbonate and calcium need to be tested. Electrolytes can show substantial derangement; hypernatremia (excess sodium levels) are common in severe cases. Urinalysis shows low electrolyte levels, and measurement of urine osmolarity (or specific gravity) is generally low. A ''fluid deprivation test'' helps determine whether DI is caused by: # excessive intake of fluid # a defect in ADH production # a defect in the kidneys' response to ADH This test measures changes in body weight, urine output, and urine composition when fluids are withheld. Sometimes measuring blood levels of ADH during this test is also necessary. To distinguish between the main forms, desmopressin stimulation is also used; desmopressin can be taken by injection, a nasal spray, or ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

NDI Terminology - Neoplasm - Definitions of terms associated with neoplasms, from the Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Foundation.

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Foundation - The NDI Foundation was formed to support education, research, treatment, and cure for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Includes nutrition guidelines and articles.

MedicineNet.com - Diabetes Insipidus - Explains what this endocrine disorder is, how it is diagnosed, and treated. Includes a variety of articles.

GeneClinics: Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus - Includes detailed statistics, summary of the illness, clinical descriptions, diagnosis, management, genetic counseling, and resources.

Disorder-Specific Survival Kit: Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus - Includes information about the cause, diagnosis, and management of NDI and other types of diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes insipidus - Article from Medline Plus includes information on this illness such as causes, incidences, risk factors, with links to central DI, Nephrogenic DI, and links to further explanation of medical terminology used.

RXmed: Diabetes Insipidus - Printable and easy to understand fact sheet that covers the basics of this disorder.

The Diabetes Insipidus Foundation, Inc - Provides information on the different forms of diabetes insipidus. Includes an email support group, articles, brochures, FAQs, and other information.

The Facts About Diabetes Insipidus - Article that details what DI is, how it affects you, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatments with many reference links for the newly diagnosed.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Diabetes Insipidus - Provides a fact sheet on this hormone disorder. Includes causes, treatments and diagnosis.

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Diabetes Insipidus