What is diabetes insipidus?

What is diabetes insipidus?

Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition in which there is a problem with the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH, also called vasopressin, controls the amount of water the kidneys release in the urine. ADH is stored in the pituitary gland, which is located behind the bridge of the nose.

Patients with diabetes insipidus have high amounts of urine that is diluted (clear) because of this inability to control the amount of water in the urine. Most cases of diabetes insipidus occur because there isn’t enough ADH, or because the kidneys are not responding properly to ADH.

The body produces more ADH when it is dehydrated or losing blood pressure. The increase in ADH tells the kidneys to hold onto more water instead of releasing it in urine.

For example, if a person without diabetes insipidus were in the desert with no access to water, he or she would produce more ADH hormone and hold water from the urine; a person with diabetes insipidus would continue to urinate the water and would become dehydrated.

It is important to note the difference between diabetes insipidus and other conditions that are associated with an increase in urination, such as diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar) and urinary tract infections.