Diabetes Insipidus: A Horse of a Different Color
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When one thinks of diabetes, the type that comes to mind is usually “sugar” diabetes, which falls under the category of diabetes mellitus. However, there is an entirely different kind of diabetes that presents with similar symptoms but occurs for completely different reasons. This type of diabetes is called diabetes insipidus, which is also known as “water” diabetes. Although many of the symptoms of diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus can appear quite similar, the diseases are very different in nature. While diabetes mellitus is the result of the body’s inability to efficiently use the sugar from the bloodstream as it is supposed to, diabetes insipidus is a problem that directly affects the kidneys and their ability to regulate the amount of fluid within the body. This disease is generally characterized by increased thirst and increased urine output.
Causes
There are two areas of the body that can malfunction to cause a type of diabetes insipidus. The first type occurs when there is damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. This damage can happen as a result of a surgery, tumor, injury or illness. The reason that this can become a problem is that the hypothalamus is responsible for the production of a hormone know as the anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin. ADH will concentrate the urine within the body, and regulate the amount of fluid the body can handle. When the hypothalamus is damaged to the point of not being able to produce the appropriate amount of ADH, the result is that the fluid in your body becomes out of balance, and central diabetes insipidus may be diagnosed.
Another possible cause of diabetes insipidus has to do with the function of the kidneys. Your kidneys are responsible for the elimination of excess fluid from your body in the form of urination. These organs know how much and when to eliminate based on their reaction to the ADH in the body. If the kidneys become damaged so that they cannot process ADH properly, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus may occur. This damage can happen as a result of a genetic disorder, and kidney defect or a response to certain types of medication. In approximately one-fourth of all cases of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, doctors may not be able to determine the cause at all.
Treatment
Treatment of diabetes insipidus will largely depend on the type of diabetes that you have. In some cases, simply increasing water intake will be sufficient to manage the disease. In other cases, medication can be used to decrease urine output. This type of treatment is particularly helpful for those who cannot get a full night of sleep because they need to get up and go to the bathroom frequently. If you think that you may be suffering from diabetes insipidus, you should make an appointment with your doctor. That way, the diagnosis and exact cause can be determined, so that the most effective treatment options can be explored.
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