Diabetes Insipidus
What are the types of diabetes insipidus? Central Diabetes Insipidus The most common form of serious diabetes insipidus, central diabetes insipidus, results from damage to the pituitary gland, which disrupts the normal storage and release of ADH. Damage to the pituitary gland can be caused by different diseases as well as by head injuries, neurosurgery, or genetic disorders. To treat the ADH deficiency that results from any kind of damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary, a synthetic hormone called desmopressin can be taken by an injection, a nasal spray, or a pill. While taking desmopressin, a person should drink fluids only when thirsty and not at other times. The drug prevents water excretion, and water can build up now that the kidneys are making less urine and are less responsive to changes in body fluids. Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus results when the kidneys are unable to respond to ADH. The kidneys' ability to respond to ADH can be impaired by drugs-like lithium, for example-and by chronic disorders including polycystic kidney disease, sickle cell disease, kidney failure, partial blockage of the ureters, and inherited genetic disorders. Sometimes the cause of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is never discovered. Desmopressin will not work for this form of diabetes insipidus. Instead, a person with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus may be given hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) or indomethacin. HCTZ is sometimes combined with another drug called amiloride. The combination of HCTZ and amiloride is sold under the brand name Moduretic. Again, with this combination of drugs, one should drink fluids only when thirsty and not at other times. Dipsogenic Diabetes insipidus Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is caused by a defect in or damage to the thirst Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Diabetes insipidus is a condition where the body loses too much fluid through urination, causing a significant risk of dangerous dehydration as well as a range of illnesses and conditions. There are two forms of the disease: nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and central diabetes insipidus (also known as neurogenic diabetes insipidus). A number of factors have been linked to the development of diabetes insipidus, which may also occur in pregnancy or with the use of certain medications. Establishing the cause of the problem can help determine the most appropriate treatment to support the regulation of water balance in the body. Diabetes insipidus is a condition that can be managed successfully. Contents of this article: What is diabetes insipidus? An uncommon condition, diabetes insipidus is a disorder affecting the regulation of body fluid levels. Two key symptoms resemble those of the more common forms of diabetes that affect blood sugar levels (diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2).1-5 People with diabetes insipidus produce excessive amounts of urine (polyuria), resulting in frequent urination and, in turn, thirst (polydipsia). However, the underlying cause of these two symptoms is quite different from the causes in types 1 and 2 diabetes. In diabetes mellitus, elevated blood sugar prompts the production of large volumes of urine to help remove the excess sugar from the body. In diabetes insipidus, it is the body's water balance system itself that is not working properly. Here are some key points about diabetes insipidus. More detail and supporting information is in the body of this article. Diabetes insipidus is a condition where the body fails to properly control water balance, resulting in excessive urination. Diabetes insipidus can be caused by low or absent secretion of t Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus
On this page: What is diabetes insipidus? Diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder that occurs when a person's kidneys pass an abnormally large volume of urine that is insipid—dilute and odorless. In most people, the kidneys pass about 1 to 2 quarts of urine a day. In people with diabetes insipidus, the kidneys can pass 3 to 20 quarts of urine a day. As a result, a person with diabetes insipidus may feel the need to drink large amounts of liquids. Diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus—which includes both type 1 and type 2 diabetes—are unrelated, although both conditions cause frequent urination and constant thirst. Diabetes mellitus causes high blood glucose, or blood sugar, resulting from the body's inability to use blood glucose for energy. People with diabetes insipidus have normal blood glucose levels; however, their kidneys cannot balance fluid in the body. What are the kidneys and what do they do? The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. Every day, the kidneys normally filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood to produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine, composed of wastes and extra fluid. The urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine. When the bladder empties, urine flows out of the body through a tube called the urethra, located at the bottom of the bladder. How is fluid regulated in the body? A person's body regulates fluid by balancing liquid intake and removing extra fluid. Thirst usually controls a person’s rate of liquid intake, while urination removes most fluid, although people also lose fluid through sweating, breathing, or diarrhea. The hormone vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone, con Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus
Overview Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition where you produce a large amount of urine and often feel thirsty. Diabetes insipidus isn't related to diabetes mellitus (usually just known as diabetes), but it does share some of the same signs and symptoms. The two main symptoms of diabetes insipidus are: passing large amounts of urine, even at night (polyuria) In very severe cases of diabetes insipidus, up to 20 litres of urine can be passed in a day. Read more about the symptoms of diabetes insipidus. When to seek medical advice You should always see your GP if you're feeling thirsty all the time. Although it may not be diabetes insipidus, it should be investigated. Also see your GP if you're: passing more urine than normal – most healthy adults pass urine four to seven times in a 24 hour period passing small amounts of urine at frequent intervals – sometimes, this can occur along with the feeling that you need to pass urine immediately Children tend to urinate more frequently because they have smaller bladders. However, seek medical advice if your child urinates more than 10 times a day. Your GP will be able to carry out a number of tests to help determine what's causing the problem. Read more about diagnosing diabetes insipidus. What causes diabetes insipidus? Diabetes insipidus is caused by problems with a hormone called vasopressin (AVP), also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH). AVP plays a key role in regulating the amount of fluid in the body. It's produced by specialist nerve cells in a part of the brain known as the hypothalamus. AVP passes from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland where it's stored until needed. The pituitary gland releases AVP when the amount of water in the body becomes too low. It helps retain water in the body by reducing the amount Continue reading >>
What Causes Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes Insipidus (DI) may not necessarily be a life-threatening condition, but it can create negative life impacts if it is not properly treated. Often causing people to thirst more than normal, those with this disease find themselves drinking water more often and then urinating more frequently. What causes diabetes insipidus? The answer to that question depends on the type of DI that has been diagnosed. Sometimes this disease is passed along from parent to child. At other times, lifestyle habits may contribute to the condition. In up to 30% of cases, there isn’t a known medical cause for DI development. Here is a look at the four different types of diabetes insipidus and what the common causes for the condition typically are. Central Diabetes Insipidus Is Caused By Hormonal Loss There is a hormone that is called Vasopressin that tells the kidneys when they need to absorb water or when they need to retain it. Vasopressin is what is known as an anti-diuretic hormone [ADH] and as thirst changes, the amount of hormones that are in the body adapt as well. In hot weather, during exercise, or when more fluids are demanded, the levels of ADH go up to prevent fluids from being excreted. With central diabetes insipidus, there isn’t enough Vasopressin present to tell the kidneys what they are supposed to do. This can be caused by a wide variety of problems, but most typically results in damage to the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus in some way. Here are the common issues that may cause the development of central DI. 1. Genetic problems. Damage to the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland can be caused by genetic transfers. Although both parents can pass a defective gene to their child that causes this health issue, fathers are more likely to do so than mothers. 2. Head in Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus
Print Overview Diabetes insipidus (die-uh-BEE-teze in-SIP-uh-dus) is an uncommon disorder that causes an imbalance of water in the body. This imbalance leads to intense thirst even after drinking fluids (polydipsia), and excretion of large amounts of urine (polyuria). While the names diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus sound similar, they're not related. Diabetes mellitus — which can occur as type 1 or type 2 — is the more common form of diabetes. There's no cure for diabetes insipidus, but treatments are available to relieve your thirst and normalize your urine output. Symptoms The most common signs and symptoms of diabetes insipidus are: Extreme thirst Excretion of an excessive amount of diluted urine Depending on the severity of the condition, urine output can be as much as 16 quarts (about 15 liters) a day if you're drinking a lot of fluids. Normally, a healthy adult will urinate an average of less than 3 quarts (about 3 liters) a day. Other signs may include needing to get up at night to urinate (nocturia) and bed-wetting. Infants and young children who have diabetes insipidus may have the following signs and symptoms: Unexplained fussiness or inconsolable crying Trouble sleeping Fever Vomiting Diarrhea Delayed growth Weight loss When to see a doctor See your doctor immediately if you notice the two most common signs of diabetes insipidus: excessive urination and extreme thirst. Causes Diabetes insipidus occurs when your body can't regulate how it handles fluids. Normally, your kidneys remove excess body fluids from your bloodstream. This fluid waste is temporarily stored in your bladder as urine, before you urinate. When your fluid regulation system is working properly, your kidneys conserve fluid and make less urine when your body water is decreased, suc Continue reading >>
Everything You Should Know About Diabetes Insipidus
What is diabetes insipidus? Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare condition that occurs when your kidneys are not able to conserve water. DI is not related to diabetes mellitus, which is often referred to simply as diabetes. That means you can have DI without having diabetes. In fact, the condition can occur in anyone. DI results in extreme thirst and frequent urination of dilute and odorless urine. There are several types of DI, and they can often be successfully treated. Keep reading to learn more about this condition. The main symptoms of DI are excessive thirst, which can cause an uncontrollable craving for water, and excessive urine volume. A healthy adult will typically urinate less than 3 quarts of urine a day. People with DI may eliminate up to 16 quarts of urine a day. You may need to get up during the night to urinate frequently, or you may experience bed-wetting. Possible symptoms in young children and infants include: fussiness and irritability unusually wet diapers or bed-wetting, or excessive urine output excessive thirst dehydration high fever dry skin delayed growth Adults can experience some of the above symptoms, plus confusion, dizziness, or sluggishness. DI can also lead to severe dehydration, which can lead to seizures, brain damage, and even death if not treated. You should contact your doctor immediately if you or your child is experiencing these symptoms. To understand diabetes insipidus, it helps to understand how your body normally uses and regulates fluids. Fluids make up as much as 60 percent of your overall body mass. Maintaining the proper amount of fluid in your body is key to your overall health. Consuming water and food throughout the day helps provide fluid to your body. Urinating, breathing, and sweating help to eliminate fluid from your b Continue reading >>
What Is Diabetes Insipidus?
Most people have heard of the two main types of diabetes. But did you know the name has nothing to do with high blood sugar? It's a general term for any condition that causes your body to make a lot of urine. And that’s just what, diabetes insipidus does. This condition makes you extra thirsty. As a result, you pee -- a lot. Your body makes a substance called antidiuretic hormone (ADH). It’s produced in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus and stored in your pituitary gland. It tells your kidneys to hold onto water, which makes your urine more concentrated. When you’re thirsty or slightly dehydrated, ADH levels rise. Your kidneys reabsorb more water and put out concentrated urine. If you’ve had plenty to drink, ADH levels fall and what comes out is clear and dilute. When your body doesn’t make enough ADH, the condition is called central diabetes insipidus. If you make enough but your kidneys can't respond to it, you have nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In either form, the result is the same. Your kidneys can't retain water, so even if you’re dehydrated, they'll put out a lot of pale, or diluted urine. When your kidneys can’t conserve water, you’ll: Get really thirsty Pee a lot -- this is known as polyuria Some people get dehydrated. If you lose too much water, you could have: Lethargy Muscle pains Irritability If you have this condition, you’ll probably wind up at the doctor for help with your thirst and constant need for a bathroom. To diagnose you, the doctor will do a series of blood and urine tests that may take several hours. You’ll go without water the whole time, so you’ll get thirstier. Your doctor will measure the sodium in your blood and pee. He may give you an ADH substitute to see if your kidneys respond by concentrating your ur Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus
Alternative names for diabetes insipidus Water diabetes; DI What is diabetes insipidus? Anti-diuretic hormone (also called vasopressin) is produced in the hypothalamus and then secreted by the pituitary gland into the bloodstream at the base of the brain. Anti-diuretic hormone is needed to stop the kidneys from producing too much urine. There are two types of diabetes insipidus, cranial and nephrogenic. Cranial diabetes insipidus is a condition in which the hypothalamus does not produce enough anti-diuretic hormone. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a condition in which the kidneys fail to respond to anti-diuretic hormone. Both conditions mean that the kidneys are unable to retain water, leading to the passing of too much dilute urine (pale urine). This occurs even when the body is dehydrated and should be trying to save fluid by producing concentrated urine (dark urine). What causes diabetes insipidus? Usually diabetes insipidus is thought to have no clear, definable cause. This is known as idiopathic. However, some causes can be found: In cranial diabetes insipidus, the brain produces little or no anti-diuretic hormone. This can be as a result of: head injuries, pituitary tumours or neurosurgery (in these patients, diabetes insipidus may only be short-term) conditions that spread through the body (known as infiltrating) such as haemochromatosis and sarcoidosis infections such as tuberculosis genetic defects (very rare). In nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, the brain is producing enough anti-diuretic hormone but the kidneys are insensitive to it and are unable to produce urine that is dark enough. The causes may be, for example, amyloidosis, polycystic kidneys, medications such as lithium and, very rarely, inherited genetic disorders. Gestational diabetes insipidus – t Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus: Causes & Symptoms + 5 Natural Treatments
Diabetes insipidus, is a debilitating and rare disease, with a prevalence of 1 out of 25,000 people. Often referred to as “water diabetes,” it is a condition characterized by frequent and heavy urination, excessive thirst and an overall feeling of weakness. It’s caused by a defect in the pituitary gland or in the kidneys. (1) The term insipidus means “without taste” in Latin, while diabetes mellitus involves the excretion of “sweet” urine. People with diabetes insipidus pass urine that is diluted, odorless and relatively low in sodium content. Diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus (which includes both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) are unrelated. Both conditions do cause frequent urination and constant thirst. People with diabetes insipidus have normal blood sugar levels, but their kidneys cannot balance fluid in the body. Although the symptoms of diabetes insipidus can be bothersome and sometimes even life-changing, the condition doesn’t increase future health risks when it is managed properly. It’s important to find the right treatment plan, which typically involves taking measures to avoid dehydration. What is Diabetes Insipidus? Diabetes insipidus is a condition that disrupts normal life due to increased thirst and passing of large volumes or urine, even at night. It is a part of a group of hereditary or acquired polyuria (when large amounts of urine is produced) and polydipsia (excessive thirst) diseases. It’s associated with inadequate vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone secretion. Vasopressin, which includes arginine vasopressin (AVP) and antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is a peptide hormone formed in the hypothalamus. It then travels to the posterior pituitary where it releases into the blood. In order to fully understand the cause of diabetes ins Continue reading >>
4 Types Of Diabetes Insipidus
When the body is unable to regulate how it handles the fluids that are within it, then diabetes insipidus will occur. The kidneys do more than just filter the blood to eliminate impurities. They also have a second job: to remove extra fluids. These extra fluids become urine and this gets stored in the bladder. When working properly, the system is self-regulating and will create less urine when more water is needed for exercise or sweat to cool off the body. It will create more when too many fluids are present. In 3 out of the 4 types of diabetes insipidus, the regulation system malfunctions and causes the kidneys to think that there is too much water in the body. Because of this, they will continually pull out fluids from the blood stream and turn it into urine. Depending on how many fluids are consumed over the course of the day, a person with diabetes insipidus may expel over 20 liters of urine over the course of 24 hours. That’s enough to fill 5 one gallon milk jugs with urine. Normally the human body creates an anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) called Vasopressin that is stored in the pituitary gland. That’s located at the base of the brain and the amount of ADH that gets released is controlled by the hypothalamus. When the body gets dehydrated, more ADH is produced to tell the kidneys to absorb more water. This creates urine concentration. When the body is hydrated, then there is less Vasopressin and this tells the kidneys to take more water out of the blood. Each type of diabetes insipidus has its own unique set of causes, symptoms, and treatments. Here is an in-depth look at this disease and what a diagnosis may mean. 1. Central Diabetes Insipidus Is the Most Common Form Central diabetes insipidus is the most common form of DI because it occurs in all population de Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus - Central
Diabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water. Diabetes insipidus is a different disease than diabetes, though both share common symptoms excessive urination and thirst. Central diabetes insipidus is a form of DI that occurs when the body has a lower than normal amount of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is also called vasopressin. ADH is produced in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. It is then stored and released from the pituitary gland. This is a small gland at the base of the brain. ADH controls the amount of water excreted in urine. Without ADH, the kidneys do not work properly to keep enough water in the body. The result is a rapid loss of water from the body in the form of dilute urine. This results in the need to drink large amounts of water due to extreme thirst and to make up for excessive water loss in the urine (as much as 4 gallons or 15 liters a day). The reduced level of ADH may be caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. This damage may be due to surgery, infection, inflammation, tumor, or injury to the brain. Sometimes the cause is unknown. In rare cases, central diabetes insipidus is caused by a genetic problem. Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus
Introduction Diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder where the system used by the body to regulate its water levels becomes disrupted. This disruption leads to the main symptoms of diabetes insipidus: excessive and prolonged thirst needing to urinate frequently passing large amounts of urine – in the most severe cases a person can pass up to 20 litres a day Read more about the symptoms of diabetes insipidus. What causes diabetes insipidus? Diabetes insipidus is caused by problems with a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin. ADH plays a key role in regulating the amount of liquid in the body. ADH is made by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus and is stored just below the brain, in the pituitary gland, until needed. When the amount of water in the body becomes too low, ADH is released from the pituitary gland. This helps to retain water in the body by stopping the kidneys producing urine. In cases of diabetes insipidus, ADH does not stop the kidneys from producing urine and allows too much water to be passed from the body. Read more about the causes of diabetes insipidus. Types of diabetes insipidus There are two main types of diabetes insipidus: Cranial diabetes insipidus Cranial diabetes insipidus occurs when there is not enough ADH in the body to regulate the production of urine. This is the most common type of diabetes insipidus and can be caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, for example after an infection, operation, brain tumour or head injury. However, in around one in three cases of cranial diabetes insipidus there is no obvious reason why the hypothalamus stops making enough ADH. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus occurs when there is enough ADH in the body, but the kidneys fai Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition where the body cannot retain enough water. It occurs in approximately 1 in 25,000 people, and can affect anyone of any age, although it is more common in adults. Brought to you by NHS Choices Introduction Diabetes insipidus is very different from diabetes mellitus, which is often just referred to as diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is far more common and occurs when there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is possible for someone with diabetes mellitus to also develop diabetes insipidus, although this is extremely rare. What is diabetes insipidus? The amount of water in the body is regulated by a hormone which is known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), or vasopressin. ADH is made by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, and is stored just below the brain, in the pituitary gland, until it is needed. When the amount of water in the body becomes too low, ADH is released from the pituitary gland. This helps to retain water in the body by stopping the kidneys from producing urine. However, in diabetes insipidus, ADH does not stop the kidneys from producing urine and allows too much water to be passed from the body. This results in symptoms such as needing to pass large quantities of urine often, and feeling extremely thirsty all the time. Types of diabetes insipidus There are two types of diabetes insipidus: cranial diabetes insipidus - which occurs when there is a shortage of ADH in your body, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus - which occurs when your kidneys do not respond properly to ADH. Cranial diabetes insipidus Cranial diabetes insipidus occurs when there is not enough ADH in the body to regulate the amount of urine that is produced. This type of diabetes insipidus is more common than nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and Continue reading >>
Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a condition in which your ability to control the balance of water within your body is not working properly. Your kidneys are not able to retain water and this causes you to pass large amounts of urine. Because of this, you become more thirsty and want to drink more. There are two different types of diabetes insipidus: cranial and nephrogenic. Cranial diabetes insipidus may only be a short-term problem in some cases. Treatment includes drinking plenty of fluids so that you do not become lacking in fluid in the body (dehydrated). Treatment with medicines may also be needed for both types of diabetes insipidus. A note about thirst and water balance in your body Getting the balance right between how much water your body takes in and how much water your body passes out is very important. This is because a large proportion (about 70%) of your body is actually water. Also, water levels in your body help to control the levels of some important salts, particularly sodium and potassium. Your body normally controls (regulates) water balance in two main ways: By making you feel thirsty and so encouraging you to drink and take more water in. Through the action of a chemical (hormone) called antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which controls the amount of water passed out in your urine. ADH is also known as vasopressin. It is made in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. It is then transported to another part of your brain, the pituitary gland, from where it is released into your bloodstream. After its release, ADH has an effect on your kidneys. It causes your kidneys to pass out less water in your urine (your urine becomes more concentrated). So, if your body is lacking in fluid (dehydrated), your thirst sensation will be triggered, encouraging you to drink. As Continue reading >>
