by cherza finney

Created on: April 25, 2010

Diabetes Insipidus is a medical condition in which the kidneys are unable to conserve water. The conserved water is controlled by an antidiuretic hormone(ADH) or vasopressin. Antidiuretic hormones can be given as a medication. It is also found in the body. An antidiuretic hormone test can measure the amount of ADH in the blood. ADH is a hormone stored in the pituitary gland in the brain. Diabetes insipidus is caused by the destruction of the posterior pituitary gland. Vasopressin or ADH is normally produced in the posterior part of the pituitary gland.

The posterior pituitary gland can be destroyed by infections,head injuries or underlying diseases. You could have a family history with diabetes insipidus. It is treated with various drugs and medications.The symptoms can be eliminated with treatment and medications. Diabetes insipidus is caused by a lack of ADH or vasopressin. The vasopressin hormone normally acts upon the kidney to reduce urine output. Desmopressin is a drug used to treat pituitary diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is a condition in which there is an increase in urine output and fluid intake. The symptoms are increased thirst and urine output. The urine is pale in color and the measured concentration is low. The individual awakens frequently to urinate at night.

Gestational diabetes insipidus is a lack of vasopressin during pregnacy. The pituitary is slighly damaged or the placenta destroys the hormone. The placenta is the system that develops the fetus. The enzyme made by the placenta destroys the ADH in the mother. Gestational diabetes insipidus disappears 4 weeks after delivery. It can be treated with demopressin medications. Dipsogenic DI or polydipsia occurs when vasopressin is suppressed by excessive intake of fluids. It is caused by an abnormality in the brain that regulates thirst. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is caused by the inability of the kidneys to respond to normal amounts of vasopressin. It is caused by kidney disease or a variety of drugs. There are treatments to relieve the signs and symptoms.

Diabetes insipidus can cause frequent urination during the night. It can disrupt your sleep and cause bedwetting. You can excrete abnormally large volumes of dilute urine. It can cause dehydration in adults. It can cause vomiting and a fever in children. A physician can determine which type of diabetes insipidus is involved. A physician can provide proper treatment to patients. A urinalysis or fluid deprivation test helps determine the cause and diagnosis.

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