Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus should not be confused with diabetes mellitus, as it is a completely different condition. All that is similar is the symptoms of increased thirst and urination. The treatment and causes are completely different.The most common type of this disorder is nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which is caused by a lack of vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Vasopressin is usually produced by the posterior pituitary gland to help the kidneys reduce urine output, by reducing its concentration. Without this hormone nephrogenic diabetes insipidus can occur.
When our body produces too much ADH or vasopressin from the posterior pituitary gland, this is called SIADH (Syndrome of inappropriate secretion antidiuretic hormone). This results in a condition called hyponatremia, which means the sodium concentration is lower in the blood.
SIADH and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus are however caused by the same sort of factors like head injuries and diseases like meningitis, although some cases are idiopathic. Often a series of tests, including an MRI is needed to diagnose nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and SIADH.
- Image via Wikipedia
Some diabetes insipidus symptoms include the traditional diabetes symptoms of extreme thirst and polyuria, but other diabetes insipidus symptoms are: nocturia (frequent visits to the bathroom at night), fatigue and dehydration.
Diabetes inspidus in children is very rare, however, some diabetes insipidus symptoms to look out for in children are fever, seizures, failure to gain weight and lethargy, which of course are symptoms of many other conditions as well. As with adults, a lot of tests will be needed to determine, whether it is indeed nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Sometimes it can take a while to find the cause of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, so the doctor will prescribe various forms of vasopressin like DDAVP, which is a synthetic structure that works like vasopressin to help the retention of water in the kidneys.
Sometimes, as a secondary symptom of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, addisons’ disease can form. This is where the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones. Addisons’ disease can occur when the pituitary gland no longer works, as this produces an additional hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal gland to produce their hormones.
If you are prescribed chlorpropamide for your nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, you should be aware of the possible adverse effects and look out for signs of hypoglycaemia. Also it has been known for SIADH to develop from the use of this drug.
Two additional conditions that you have to look out for in any type of diabetes mellitus are hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia.
Hyperglycaemia is when your body has a high blood sugar, when the body does not have enough insulin in it, or it is not being as effective as it should be. It should be a condition that you monitor, as if it is not controlled, it can lead to a hyperglycaemia coma.
Along the same lines and risks, you should also monitor your blood glucose levels in case you get hypoglycaemia, which is low blood sugar levels. You could be at risk from this if you take too much insulin, drinking alcohol, or if you eat or exercise less than you normally do.
