Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a disease characterized by the inability of the kidneys to conserve water. The kidney's ability to conserve water from filtered blood is controlled by the hormone vasopressin, or antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is produced and secreted from specific glands within the brain. Diabetes insipidus can be caused by the brain's inability to produce the hormone, which is called central diabetes insipidus, or by the kidney's inability to use the hormone, which is called nephrogenic DI. In either case, the symptoms of DI remain they same. Patients who have been diagnosed with the disease should be treated as soon as possible in order to avoid complications. Identifying the symptoms of the disease will aid in a faster diagnosis.
Thirst
Excessive thirst is one of tell-tale signs of diabetes insipidus as listed by MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health website. The thirst is usually intense and uncontrollable, and patients may exhibit a strong craving for ice water. This symptom is caused by the body's decreased water reserve. Normally, water is reabsorbed in the kidney and only a small amount is voided. However, in DI, the kidney is unable to absorb the water. This causes the brain to activate the thirst centers. Once activated, the thirst centers cause the patient to thirst for water and other fluids. Patients with DI commonly drink large amounts of water everyday and will still complain of an insatiable thirst.
Increased Urination
Patients with diabetes insipidus tend to urinate much more frequently then normal individuals, according to MayoClinic.com. The average urine output for a healthy adult is approximately 1.5 to 2.5 liters per day. Patients with DI can produce a minimum of 2.5 liters a day to a staggering 15 liters a day in severe cases. This increase in urination is caused by the large amounts of water being pushed passed the kidneys. Instead of being filtered back into the bloodstream, the water is excreted from the body. This causes the volume or urine to drastically increase. DI will cause patients to go to the bathroom to urinate much more frequently. Patients may also be forced to wake up and urinate at night, and may occasionally urinate while in bed.
Dehydration
Dehydration can be a major symptom of diabetes insipidus, reports the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Patients suffering from DI will be urinating frequently and thus lose massive amounts of water. This water is normally reabsorbed in the kidney and sent to the other parts of the body. If the patient is unable to replace all the fluids lost through the frequent urination, then dehydration will develop. Dehydration can cause patients to have dry, chapped lips and nostrils, to have unhealthily-looking and tight skin, low-grade fever, and possible change in consciousness. In severe dehydration, patients can become drowsy and be unresponsive to the outside environment. If this symptom is not treated, the patient will perish.
