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Diabetes Insipidus Signs & Symptoms

Most people hear the word "diabetes" and automatically assume it has something to do with poor blood sugar regulation. However, there are two different types and several subtypes of diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is the more common type of diabetes, which affects blood sugar levels and is known as Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes. Diabetes Insipidus is a fairly uncommon type of diabetes, causing increased urine output in individuals likely from the decreased production of certain hormones.

  1. Terms to Know

    • There are certain definitions that you should be familiar with as you may not have heard these terms previously. Vasopressin is an antidiuretic hormone that helps to keep the level of water in the body normal. The hypothalamus is found in the brain and is a link between the nervous and endocrine systems by way of the pituitary gland where many hormones are secreted. Vasopressin is made in the hypothalamus but then stored in and released by the pituitary gland. Vasopressin tells the kidneys to conserve water when we are dehydrated; so if there is a lack of vasopressin, the kidneys will keep releasing water and there will be an increased need to urinate.

    Types

    • Diabetes insipidus is a condition where an individual feels the need to urinate quite frequently while being constantly thirsty. Rarely will the level of increased urine output change with increased or decreased fluid intake. There are four subtypes of diabetes insipidus. The most common is central DI, which occurs either when there is a decreased production of vasopressin or the pituitary gland does not properly release the vasopressin. There is a form of gestational DI where other hormones in a pregnant woman break down the vasopressin too quickly. The third type affects the kidneys themselves in which they fail to respond to the vasopressin hormone; it is known as nephrogenic DI. Lastly, there is dipsogenic DI, which occurs when the brain abnormally responds to thirst.

    Signs and Symptoms

    • The signs and symptoms of DI is similar to diabetes mellitus, hence the confusion of doctors in identifying the disease. The most notable symptoms are increased amounts of thirst and urine with a preference for extremely cold water. Due to the increased amount of urine output regardless of intake of water, an undiagnosed individual may become dehydrated quickly and even wet the bed throughout the night.

    Whom It Affects

    • Diabetes insipidus may affect any person of any age. People who are more at risk are those with damage to the pituitary gland and pregnant women.

    Treatment

    • Many individuals can continue with either central or nephrogenic DI without treatment; however, it is not recommended as they are at an increased risk for dehydration and an uncontrollable urge to urinate frequently. Treatment can occur in the form of vasopressin nasal sprays or through other medications that stimulate increased production of vasopressin. Those with dipsogenic DI must seek treatment as the body may become too hydrated and the person will develop water intoxication. In this case, the person will be treated with diuretics to pull water out of the body.

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