What Is Diabetes Insipidus?
Diabetes insipidus is a condition that results from insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), a hormone that helps the kidneys and body conserve the correct amount of water. Normally, the antidiuretic hormone controls the kidneys’ output of urine. It is secreted by the hypothalamus (a small gland located at the base of the brain) and stored in the pituitary gland and then released into the bloodstream. ADH is secreted to decrease the amount of urine output so that dehydration does not occur. Diabetes insipidus, however, causes excessive production of very diluted urine and excessive thirst. The disease is categorized into groups: • central diabetes insipidus – insufficient production or secretion of ADH; can be a result of damage to the pituitary gland caused by head injuries, genetic disorders, and other diseases. • nephrogenic diabetes insipidus – lack of kidney response to normal levels of ADH: can be caused by drugs or chronic disorders, such as kidney failure, sic
