Diabetes insipidus, otherwise known as DI, is a kidney condition where the body loses too much fluid through urination. This inability to prevent the excretion of fluids greatly increases the risk for several illnesses and condition, including extreme hydration.
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and central diabetes insipidus are the two forms. Central diabetes insipidus is also known as neurogenic diabetes insipidus.
What causes Diabetes insipidus?
Your kidneys are designed to filter your blood many times during the course of the day. Under normal conditions, the majority of the water is reabsorbed, and the small remaining amount of concentrated urine is excreted from the body. With diabetes insipidus, the kidneys are unable to concentrate the urine as they should, causing a large amount of dilute urine to be excreted.
There are several factors over time that have been linked to the development of diabetes insipidus. Certain medications can contribute to the condition as well as pregnancy in some cases
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that produces the antidiuretic hormone that controls the amount of water excreted in the urine. This hormone is also known as ADH or vasopressin. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain then controls the storage and release of ADH.
Central diabetes insipidus occurs when there is a lack of ADH. When the DI is caused by the kidney’s failure to respond to the ADH, the condition is referred to as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland can cause the central DI. This damage can be caused by a list of different reasons. Some of these reasons include infection, head trauma, genetic problems, tumors in those regions of the brain, surgery, reduced blood flow to the region of the brain, and more.
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus involves some kind of defect in the kidneys. This defect then does not allow the kidneys to respond properly to the ADH. Kidney disease, increased levels of calcium in the body, genetic problems, and certain medication can all be contributing factors.
Symptoms of diabetes insipidus include excessive urination both day and night, large volumes of urine, and an intense thirst or need for a large amount of water.
If there is a concern that you have this condition, contact your health care provider to discuss your medical history and the symptoms that are occurring. Your health care provider may order tests ranging from an MRI of the head, a urinalysis, checking blood sodium and osmolality, Desmopressin (DDAVP) challenge, or urine concentration and osmolality test.
Treatment of DI is possible and usually begins with diagnosing and treating the underlying cause.
Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of DI.
Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000377.htm
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/183251.php