Types of Diabetes Insipidus

• Central Diabetes Insipidous - most common type, caused by pituitary gland
• Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidous - kidney dysfunction
• Autoimmune Diabetes Insipidous - caused by an autoimmune reaction
• Dipsogenic Diabetes Insipidous - hypothalamus damage causing abnormal thirst
• Gestational Diabetes Insipidous - related to pregnancy and ADH deficiency
• Thirst-related Gestational Diabetes Insipidous - rare type of gestational DI

Types discussion:

Diabetes Insipidus (DI): NIDDK (Excerpt)

The most common form of DI, central DI, results from damage to the pituitary gland, which disrupts the normal storage and release of ADH. Another form, nephrogenic DI, results when the kidneys are unable to respond to ADH. Rarer forms occur because of a defect in the thirst mechanism (dipsogenic DI) or during pregnancy (gestational DI). (Source: excerpt from Diabetes Insipidus (DI): NIDDK)

Diabetes Insipidus (DI): NIDDK (Excerpt)

Central DI

Damage to the pituitary gland can be caused by different diseases as well as by head injuries, neurosurgery, or genetic disorders. To treat the resulting ADH deficiency, a synthetic hormone called desmopressin can be taken by an injection, a nasal spray, or a pill. While taking desmopressin, you should drink fluids or water only when you are thirsty and not at other times. This is because the drug prevents water excretion and water can build up now that your kidneys are making less urine and are less responsive to changes in body fluids.

Nephrogenic DI

The kidneys' ability to respond to ADH can be impaired by drugs (like lithium, for example) and by chronic disorders including polycystic kidney disease, sickle cell disease, kidney failure, partial blockage of the ureters, and inherited genetic disorders. Sometimes the cause of nephrogenic DI is never discovered.

Desmopressin will not work for this form of DI. Instead, you may be given a drug called hydrochlorothiazide (also called HCTZ) or indomethacin. HCTZ is sometimes combined with amiloride. Again, you should drink fluids only when you are thirsty and not at other times.

Dipsogenic DI

A third type of DI is caused by a defect in or damage to the thirst mechanism, which is located in the hypothalamus. This defect results in an abnormal increase in thirst and fluid intake that suppresses ADH secretion and increases urine output. Desmopressin or other drugs should not be used to treat dipsogenic DI because they may decrease urine output but not thirst and fluid intake. This fluid "overload" can lead to water intoxication, a condition that lowers the concentration of sodium in the blood and can seriously damage the brain.

Gestational DI

A fourth type of DI occurs only during pregnancy. Gestational DI occurs when an enzyme made by the placenta destroys ADH in the mother. The placenta is the system of blood vessels and other tissue that develops with the fetus. The placenta allows exchange of nutrients and waste products between mother and fetus.

Most cases of gestational DI can be treated with desmopressin. In rare cases, however, an abnormality in the thirst mechanism causes gestational DI, and desmopressin should not be used.

A specialist should determine which form of DI is present before starting any treatment. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes Insipidus (DI): NIDDK)

Diabetes Insipidus: Rare Types

Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:

• Chronic Major Diseases -- Rare Types:
  • High Cholesterol -- Rare Types
  • Heart Disease -- Rare Types
  • Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Depression -- Rare Types
  • Type 2 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Type 1 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Hypertension -- Rare Types
  • Hemochromatosis -- Rare Types
  • Metabolic Syndrome -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Diabetes Insipidus: Related Disease Topics

More general medical disease topics related to Diabetes Insipidus include:

• Kidney conditions
• Systemic disorders
• Pituitary conditions

Research More About Diabetes Insipidus

• Diabetes Insipidus: Introduction
• Symptoms: Diabetes Insipidus
• Complications: Diabetes Insipidus
• Causes: Diabetes Insipidus
• Treatments: Diabetes Insipidus

 » Next page: Causes of Diabetes Insipidus

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• Causes of Diabetes Insipidus
• Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus
• Diagnostic Tests for Diabetes Insipidus
• Diagnosis of Diabetes Insipidus
• Signs of Diabetes Insipidus

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com

Common Health Mistakes

Symptom
Checker

Search Specialists by State and City