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Diabetes Insipidus

which helps balance the amount of fluid in the body. пїЅ пїЅ

There are 2 kinds of diabetes insipidus: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Central diabetes insipidus " пїЅ In people with central diabetes insipidus, the body doesnt make enough anti-diuretic hormone to keep the amount of fluid in balance.
  • Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus " пїЅ In people with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, the body makes enough anti-diuretic hormone, but the kidneys don't respond to it.

Diabetes insipidus is not the same as diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a much more common disease that most people know simply as "diabetes. " пїЅ Some of the symptoms, like urinating a lot, are the same. But otherwise, they are very different conditions. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of diabetes insipidus? " пїЅ The symptoms are: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Needing to urinate often, sometimes in the middle of the night
  • Making large amounts of urine
  • Feeling very thirsty

Is there a test for diabetes insipidus? " пїЅ Your doctor should be able to tell that you have the condition based on your symptoms. But in some cases, doctors will need to do tests. These might include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • A test to measure how much urine your body makes. For this test, you stop drinking fluids for 2 to 3 hours. Then the doctor records how much urine you make over the next 2 hours and possibly longer.
  • Tests to measure certain substances in your urine.

Plus, the doctor might give you a drug that's often used to treat the condition. Your body's response will help reveal which type of diabetes insipidus you have. пїЅ пїЅ

How is diabetes insipidus treated? " пїЅ The right treatment for you will depend on what kind of diabetes insipidus you have. In general, all the treatments for diabetes insipidus work by reducing the amount of urine the body makes. пїЅ пїЅ

If you have central diabetes insipidus, following a diet that's low in salt and protein might help control your symptoms. If diet changes don't help enough, your doctor might prescribe a medicine called desmopressin (brand names: DDAVP, Stimate). You can take this medicine as a nasal spray, a pill, or as a shot under the skin. This medicine replaces the anti-diuretic hormone missing from your body. Doctors sometimes prescribe other drugs as well. пїЅ пїЅ

People who have nephrogenic diabetes insipidus have different treatment options. In this form of diabetes insipidus, the kidneys usually aren't responding to anti-diuretic hormone because they are damaged. Often, the kidney damage is caused by other health problems or the medicines people take to treat them. If possible, treating the other health problem or stopping the medicines can help. Doctors also might recommend a low-salt, low-protein diet. Plus, certain medicines, including some used to treat high blood pressure, might help. пїЅ пїЅ

Are there warning signs I should watch for? " пїЅ If you are being treated for diabetes insipidus, see your doctor or nurse right away if have any of these symptoms: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Feeling very tired

Having these symptoms could mean you need a different dose of the medicine you take to treat your diabetes insipidus. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? " пїЅ Yes. Some people feel better if they eat a diet that is low in sodium (the main ingredient in salt) and protein. These diet changes will help you make less urine. пїЅ пїЅ

If you're not sure what to eat, talk to your doctor or nurse. He or she might refer you to a dietitian (food expert) who can help you choose what to eat. пїЅ пїЅ

Another helpful tip is called "double voiding. " пїЅ This involves urinating more than once to empty your bladder. After you urinate, wait 10 to 15 minutes, and then urinate again to empty your bladder completely. пїЅ пїЅ

What if I want to get pregnant? " пїЅ Most women with diabetes insipidus can have normal pregnancies. But be aware that diabetes insipidus can get worse during pregnancy. Desmopressin is safe for both mother and baby. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 17196 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

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пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ