Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare condition characterized by excessive thirst and the excretion of large amounts of diluted urine. It is not related to diabetes mellitus, which involves blood sugar regulation, but rather involves the body's ability to regulate fluids.
There are two main types of diabetes insipidus:
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Central Diabetes Insipidus: This form occurs due to insufficient production of the hormone vasopressin (also known as antidiuretic hormone, or ADH) from the pituitary gland. Causes can include brain injury, surgery, tumors, or conditions affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
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Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus: In this type, the kidneys do not respond properly to vasopressin. This can be due to genetic factors, chronic kidney disease, or certain medications (like lithium).
Symptoms of diabetes insipidus include:
- Extreme thirst (polydipsia)
- Frequent urination (polyuria)
- Urinating large volumes of dilute urine
Diagnosis typically involves urine tests, blood tests, and possibly a water restriction test to assess the body's ability to concentrate urine. Treatment varies depending on the type of DI; central DI may be treated with desmopressin, a synthetic form of vasopressin, while nephrogenic DI may involve a low-salt diet and certain medications that promote kidney response to ADH.
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