Rare Diabetes Insipidus Can Cause Severe Dehydration
A rare condition, diabetes insipidus (DI), can lead to severe dehydration symptoms and life-threatening complications if left untreated. It affects the body's fluid regulation, causing extreme thirst and frequent urination of dilute urine.
DI occurs when the system regulating fluid in the body breaks down, often due to low levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin. This can be caused by damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, leading to the most common type, central DI. Other types include nephrogenic, dipsogenic, and gestational.
Symptoms include excessive thirst (polydipsia) and excessive urine volume. In infants and children, this can manifest as wet diapers, bedwetting, fussiness, and dehydration symptoms. Unlike diabetes mellitus, DI does not affect blood sugar levels.
DI can be serious, with severe dehydration symptoms potentially leading to seizures, brain damage, or death. If you or someone else experiences these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Treatment typically involves managing fluid intake and administering synthetic ADH.
