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Definition of Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare disease that is related to the hormone vasopressin. The most common symptoms of the disease are excessive urination, which leads to excessive thirst and the danger of dehydration.

  1. Identification

    • The hormone vasopressin regulates the cycle of body fluid retention and the secretion of urine from the kidneys. Diabetes insipidus disrupts this natural balance between hydration and urination.

    Types

    • The National Kidney and Urologic Disease Clearinghouse characterizes Central and Dispogenic DI as occurring from damage to the glands that produces vasopressin, while Nephrogenic DI stems from the kidneys' resistance to the hormone. Gestational DI is found in some pregnant women, where placental enzymes destroy vasopressin.

    Causes

    • Surgery, tumors, and infections of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland as well as head injuries and kidney disease each have the potential to induce diabetes. The Mayo Clinic reports that 30 percent of diabetes insipidus cases have no known cause.

    Diagnosis

    • Urinalysis and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the head assist in diagnosing diabetes insipidus. In addition, doctors often employ water deprivation testing, which collects, tests, and measures urine output over a set period of time

    Treatment

    • Despromessin and hydrochlorothiazide are two commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of diabetes insipidus. In addition, doctors advise patients to drink plenty of fluids and may suggest a low sodium diet.

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