The hormone vassopressin can also be suppressed by an excessive intake of fluid. This situation is called primary polydipsia. Polydipsia is the term used to describe a person who is drinking excessive amounts of fluid. This is more common in people who have an abnormality in the thirst trigger in their brain. Another type of polydipsia is caused from psychosomatic causes for which there is not a definitive treatment identified. (4)
Individuals who develop the symptoms of DI outside of the hospital may look similar to Diabetes mellitus, or sugar diabetes. They will have excessive urination and thirst. However, no sugar will be lost in the urine and the sufferer will not have excess sugar in the blood stream. In fact, glucose doesn’t play a part in the condition at all.
Urination continues throughout the day and night time. This can be very problematic for children because it can result in bed wetting. It also interferes with eating, growth, weight gain and appetite. Children may present to their pediatrician with fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Adults who aren’t diagnosed can stay healthy for years as long as they stay hydrated. However, this puts both adults and children at higher risk for dehydration which also can lead to other significant problems.
The amount of fluid that determines polydipsia, or excessive drinking, is based on the amount of fluid per kilograms of body weight. The standard is 50 ml/kg of body weight. This means that a person who weighs 150 pounds and drinks more than 1 gallon per day would have a higher than normal intake
At this point these are the only reasons that physicians and researchers have identified that idiopathic DI develops. Physicians do know that other health risks may be present based on the cause of the DI and the potential hazards of treating the underlying cause may create more problems.
People who suffer from Diabetes Insipidus have several lifestyle restrictions to ensure that they don’t become dehydrated. They must take their medication in order to live a normal life that will not include using the bathroom frequently or drinking large amounts of fluid. Those who suffer from DI should always wear a Medic Alert bracelet in order to alert emergency medical personnel of the special needs required for treatment in case you can’t communicate.
References:
(1) National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information clearinghouse: Diabetes Insipidus
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/insipidus/
(2) Critical Care Nurse: Central Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone and Cerebral Salt-wasting Syndrome in Traumatic Brain Injury
http://ccn.aacnjournals.org/content/32/2/e1.full
(3) Office of Rare Disease Research: Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Condition/6015/Neurogenic_diabetes_insipidus.aspx
(4) Oxford Journals: Vasopressin Secretion in Primary polydipsia and Cranial Diabetes Insipidus
http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/50/3/345.abstract
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