Diabetes insipidus is a hormonal disorder in which there is a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is responsible for regulating the body's water balance. An ADH deficiency causes the kidneys to excrete too much water. Ultimately, diabetes insipidus leads to a disturbance of the electrolyte balance and to dehydration.
Here you will find further information as well as selected specialists and centers for diabetes insipidus.
ADH is produced in the pituitary gland (hypophysis) and travels in the blood to the kidneys, where it regulates the water balance. If ADH is missing or present in too low a concentration, kidney function is impaired and too much water is excreted.
The body loses up to 25 liters of fluid per day. This impairs the electrolyte balance and leads to dehydration of the body.
There are two types of diabetes insipidus:
It is not always possible to identify the cause of diabetes insipidus. In around a third of cases, the cause remains unexplained.
The disease is often caused by damage to the pituitary gland or its higher-level control unit in the brain. Due to
can lead to failure of ADH production and thus to central diabetes insipidus. This damage can be caused by tumors, mechanical injury (e.g. due to an accident) or inflammation.
Renal diabetes insipidus is caused by
Typical signs of diabetes insipidus, whether central or renal, are extremely increased urination and drinking.
In addition, frequent trips to the toilet at night can lead to sleep disorders and daytime tiredness.
Diabetes insipidus can essentially be diagnosed using two test methods: The thirst test and the saline infusion test.
In the so-called thirst test, patients are not allowed to drink any fluids for 12 hours. Blood and urine samples are taken regularly. Over the course of this "thirst test", the ADH level in the blood of healthy people increases, while the electrolyte concentration in the blood remains the same. The concentration of electrolytes in the urine increases as water excretion is reduced.
In comparison, in diabetes insipidus the electrolyte concentration in the urine would remain low, while it increases in the blood.
A saline infusion test can also provide information about diabetes insipidus. The patient is administered a highly concentrated saline solution and the electrolyte concentration in the blood and urine is then measured.
To rule out a tumor as the cause of the ADH deficiency, the relevant section of the brain can be visualized using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).
Central diabetes insipidus can be treated by eliminating the cause of the ADH deficiency. This allows normal ADH production to resume.
If the cause is unknown, desmopressin can be administered. The drug mimics the effect of ADH in the body and thus restores correct kidney function.
Renal diabetes insipidus is more difficult to treat. It is possible to reduce the amount of blood in the body with the help of diuretics (thiazide diuretics). This causes the kidneys to filter out more salts and water and can thus regulate the electrolyte balance for a short time.
However, this treatment is unsuitable for patients with renal insufficiency and older patients. Other treatment options are therefore being tested.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
