by Chelsea Padget

Created on: November 08, 2010   Last Updated: January 06, 2011

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is not related to diabetes mellitus, with an exception of the symptoms, excessive thirst and increased urination. The urine in diabetes insipidus is very diluted because of an overload of fluid intake and a lack of the hormone, antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

Diabetes insipidus is a rare metabolic disorder that causes increased, excessive thirst and frequent urination of diluted urine, sometimes causing bed wetting. Left untreated, diabetes insipidus can cause severe dehydration and eventually a sudden drop in blood pressure known as shock. When a person with diabetes insipidus goes into shock, death can follow.

Vasopresson, the antidiuretic hormone, also known as ADH, regulates the amount of water in your body. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), (made in the hypothalamus) is stored in the pituitary gland until the body needs it. The pituitary gland is located at the base of your brain. ADH is released when the amount of water in the body becomes too low. This stops the kidneys from producing urine and keeps the water in the body.

In diabetes insipidus, antidiuretic hormone does not do it's job. The kidneys continue producing urine and large amounts of diluted urine is passed out of the body, called excessive urination. Because your body is losing so much fluid, you become very thirsty, constantly drinking fluids.

The excessive urination can cause night time bed wetting, because of an overload of fluid. Diabetes insipidus also causes fatigue, irritation and a general feeling of being rundown, because of the night time frequent urination.

There are four types of diabetes insipidus:

Central diabetes insipidus:

Central diabetes insipidus is the most common type of diabetes insipidus. Central diabetes insipidus occurs when the pituitary gland is damaged. The damage makes it hard for the pituitary gland to do it's job of releasing antidiuretic hormone, which helps the body retain water. Central diabetes insipidus is caused by injuries to the head, neurosurgery or disease. It can also be caused by genetics.

Desmopresson, a synthetic hormone, is the treatment of choice in central diabetes insipidus. Desmopresson can be given by injection, nasal spray or pill form. Desmopresson acts to prevent fluid from leaving the body (decreases urination). The patient also needs to decrease his water intake so that he only drinks fluids when he is thirsty.

Nephrotic diabetes insipidus:

In nephrotic diabetes insipidus, ADH is released by the pituitary gland, but

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