Diabetes Insipidus Treatment

Contrary to popular belief, and despite the similarity in the names, diabetes insipidus has no relation to either insulin dependent or non-insulin dependent diabetes. It is simply a condition in which the patient's kidneys cannot conserve water, leading to the urge to urinate uncontrollably and at a high frequency. Another equally important sign of this condition is a high degree of thirst. No matter how much water you drink, you won't feel quenched. It is this high intake of water that causes the incessant urination.

Treatment Methods

• It is generally believed that those with diabetes insipidus have a shortfall of a hormone called ADH, produced in the region of the brain called the hypothalamus. This hormone causes the body to achieve a balance in body fluids. It is also possible that the kidneys are not efficient enough in conserving water. In most cases, an injury, surgery or tumor of the brain can lead to this condition, while in a smaller number, exposure to the chemical lithium is another known cause.

  Fortunately, unlike its more popular and deadlier namesake, according to The Family Doctor, diabetes insipidus is not necessarily something to be seriously concerned about. Since this condition is not insidious and life threatening, drinking water when you feel thirsty and urinating when the bladder is full are all that can be done. You may be advised to drink lesser quantities of water at night to avoid needing to urinate frequently and suffering interrupted sleep, although this may not always be possible because of the primary condition of thirst.

When Is Medication Necessary

• Medication may be necessary when patients have a problem in waking frequently for urination. Typical cases of this situation include older patients, paraplegics, bedbound patients and insomniacs, whose sleep patterns may get disturbed.

  One of the common types of medication used for treating diabetes insipidus is to administer medicines that balance the need for water and thus reduce the frequency of urination. For this method, desmopressin, which can be administered as either a spray or a tablet, is given. Desmopressin acts on the ADH synthetically, and tries to bring its function back to normal to the extent possible. However, one limitation of this medication is that it can only function in the primary instance, the shortage of ADH, and not when the urge to urinate is caused by an imbalance of the kidney's functions. In such cases, drugs that seek to balance the content of water and salt in the body are prescribed.