Diabetes Insipidus

What is Diabetes Insipidus?

Diabetes Insipidus is also sometimes called 'water diabetes.' It has nothing to do with sugar levels like diabetes mellitus does. And while it does mimic diabetes mellitus in some symptoms (increased thirst and urination), what is going on is different.

With Diabetes Insipidus, you have an excessive desire to drink (and often want to drink cold or ice water or eat ice). You also urinate excessively (more than 3.5 quarts a day for an average 150 pound person). Your urine will be pale and have low gravity. This is occuring because the cells in your body are dehydrated. Even though you are drinking, drinking, drinking, the water is not getting out into the cells in your body. One outward sign of this is dry hands.

Types of Diabetes Insipidus

There are several different types of DI, each with a different cause (and some causes are as yet not figured out). The most common type is central diabetes insipidus, caused by a deficiency of vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The second most common type of DI is nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which is caused by an insensitivity of the kidneys to ADH.

Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus

In addition to the already mentioned excessive thirst, excessive urination (and quality of urine), and signs of dehydration, there are some other symptoms to look for. Diabetes Insipidus can interfere with appetite, eating, weight gain, and appetite. There may be vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. In rare cases, there may also be blurred vision

Treatment of Diabetes Insipidus

There are some medications that can help depending on which type of Diabetes Insipidus you have. It is also a good idea to wear a Medic Alert bracelet, so if you are in a situation where you are unconscious, the physician will know of your condition. Some may wonder why they need treatment if they aren't feeling poorly, and the main answer to this is the possibility of severe dehydration. And remember, when all is right in your world, dehydration probably wouldn't be an issue. But say you want to be involved in sports? Or say you are in a car accident and are unconscious. These types of situations could cause you to quickly become dehydrated and dehyrdration can lead to brain injury.