Water diabetes, or diabetes insipidus, causes excessive urination and thirst. It can be caused by infections, illnesses, medications, or kidney failure. Treatment depends on severity. Symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, dry skin, constipation, and weak muscles. Types include central, dyspogenic, nephrogenic, and gestational diabetes insipidus. Treatment options include desmopressin and hydrochlorothiazide.
Water diabetes, also known as diabetes insipidus, is a rare condition that causes excessive urination. A person with water diabetes is constantly thirsty, causing them to consume large amounts of water or other liquids. Excessive water consumption can lead a person to wet the bed or get up multiple times at night to use the bathroom. The condition, which is not life-threatening in most cases, can be caused by a variety of things such as infections, illnesses, certain medications, or a kidney failure. Treatment depends on the severity of the disorder.
Symptoms of water diabetes can include frequent urination and excessive thirst. A person with the condition can urinate more than four gallons (about 16 liters) a day. Other symptoms typically include dry skin, constipation, and weak muscles. Additionally, a person with diabetes insipidus may feel dizzy or faint due to dehydration, or tired from having to urinate constantly throughout the night.
One of the most common types of water diabetes is central diabetes insipidus, also known as pituitary diabetes insipidus or neurogenic diabetes insipidus. This type of diabetes insipidus occurs when there is a deficiency of vasopressin, the hormone responsible for lowering the concentration of urine in the body, which is found in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland can become damaged for a variety of reasons, including hereditary conditions, a blow to the head, and an infection. To treat this type of water diabetes, a person can take desmopressin, a synthetic hormone that comes in the form of a pill, nasal spray, or injection.
Dyspogenic diabetes insipidus is similar to central diabetes insipidus. This condition reduces the production of vasopressin, while increasing the creation of urine. Overabundance of fluids can lead to water intoxication, a condition in which the level of sodium in the blood is lowered, which can cause brain damage. There is currently no effective cure for dyspogenic diabetes insipidus.
Another type of diabetes insipidus is nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. This occurs when a person’s kidneys fail to respond to vasopressin and is often the result of a chronic disease or an inherited genetic disorder. The condition is often treated with a drug called hydrochlorothiazide. In some cases, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is not curable because the cause cannot be determined.
Pregnant women are also susceptible to a type of water diabetes called gestational diabetes insipidus. This occurs when an enzyme during pregnancy kills vasopressin. In most cases, gestational diabetes insipidus can be treated with desmopressin.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
