Unlike diabetes mellitus, which is caused by a lack of insulin or the insensitivity of the body’s cells to it, diabetes insipidus is a disease associated with insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone, which is produced in the pituitary gland, which, normally, prevents the excretion of water and increases the concentration of urine.

There are three main types of diabetes insipidus:

• Central (neurogenic) -Contact lesion neurohypophysis , craniocerebral trauma, tumors in the pituitary operations, infectious diseases, injuries and cerebrovascular dr.Pri neurogenic diabetes insipidus violation occurs synthesis, secretion or transport of arginine vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone; ADH)
• Nephrogenic (Renal) when, with sufficient production of antidiuretic hormone, resistance (insensitivity) of kidney cells to it is observed.
• Psychogenic polydipsia is another type of diabetes insipidus associated with excessive water intake against a background of nervous stress.

Symptoms of diabetes insipidus:

• Polydipsia is a symptom characterized by an unnaturally strong, unquenchable thirst. Decreases or disappears only with water intake, significantly exceeding physiological;
• Polyuria – increased urine production (more than 3 * liters per day);
• Decrease in the relative density of urine (less than 1010 * in adults);
• General dehydration (dry skin and mucous membranes, decrease in saliva and sweating; in case of inadequate replacement of fluid loss, pronounced dehydration occurs, manifested by general weakness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fever, convulsions, tachycardia, blood clotting, loss of consciousness);
• Gastrointestinal manifestations (constant water overload leads to stretching of the stomach, decreased secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract, constipation).

Usually, the diagnosis is not difficult, the complaints and symptoms of this disease are too characteristic. But an accurate diagnosis can be made only with the help of additional examinations, since treatment directly depends on the type of diabetes insipidus. At the same time, they can carry out tests with dry eating, tests with limited fluid intake, a general blood test, a general urine test, determination of hormones, a test according to Zimnitsky . This allows you to determine the nature of the disease (central, renal or neurogenic).

Treatment depends on the form of the disease – with a lack of the hormone, its artificial analogs ( desmopresin ) are used, acting from 8 to 20 hours, in the form of nasal drops or nasal aerosol or tablets. The main goal of treatment with desmopressin is the selection of the minimum effective dose of the drug for the relief of excessive thirst and polyuria, which is selected individually. If the cause of the disease is related to kidney disease, treatment is based on a salt-free diet and the use (oddly enough) of certain diuretics – thiazide diuretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When the disorder is neurogenic, treatment should be directed towards reducing fluid intake and restoring mental balance.

As you can see, the treatment of this disease, depending on its form, can be radically different, therefore, it is impossible to do without the help of an endocrinologist.