Diabetes insipidus, not to be confused with the much more common and unrelated diabetes mellitus, is a rare health condition that causes an imbalance of water within the body. The result is an increase in the amount of urine excreted and a seemingly unquenchable thirst. Unfortunately, at present there is no cure for diabetes mellitus. However, luckily for those with this condition, there are certain treatments that can help to limit the abovementioned symptoms. Continue reading to learn more about both the causes of diabetes insipidus and its related symptoms.
Causes of Diabetes Insipidus
The two different types of diabetes insipidus have two distinct causes. However, both are related to the hormone vasopressin, which is an antidiuretic. The first type, known as central diabetes insipidus (aka neurogenic or vasopressin-sensitive diabetes) is the result of an insufficient amount of vasopressin being produced by the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. The second type, called nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is the result of a normal level of vasopressin produces, but the kidneys are not able to respond to it efficiently.
