Diabetes insipidus; central

Causes and Risks:
Central diabetes insipidus is a rare condition caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland as a result of surgery, infection, tumor , or injury to the head . Normally, the hypothalamus in the brain synthesizes vasopressin , a hormone that causes the kidneys to conserve water by making concentrated urine. In diabetes insipidus , there is a lack of vasopressin. Without vasopressin, the kidneys fail to reabsorb excess filtered water. This results in a rapid loss of water from the body in the form of dilute urine. A person with diabetes insipidus drinks large quantities of water, driven by extreme thirst , to compensate for the water loss. Risk factors are related to the cause. The incidence is 1 out of 10,000 people.

Prevention:
Many of the cases may not be preventable. Prompt treatment of infections, tumors, and injuries may reduce risk.

Symptoms:



Signs and Tests:



Treatment:
The cause of the underlying condition should be treated. Vasopressin therapy (desmopressin), administered as a nasal spray, controls the urine output and fluid balance, thereby preventing dehydration .

Prognosis:
The outcome is dictated by the underlying disorder. If treated, diabetes insipidus does not cause severe problems or reduce life expectancy.

Complications:



Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate diabetes insipidus may be present.


The endocrine system is the chemical control center of the body. The pituitary gland is often considered the master control; sending out hormones that regulate the function of the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testis. Over- or under-production of hormones from any of these glands is associated with many different types of disease.