Diabetes insipidus is a uncommon condition characterized by the body's inability to retain enough water to meet its needs, according to Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health website. Usually the hormone vasopressin, or antidiuretic hormone, allows the kidney to conserve water. However, in diabetes insipidus the hormone is deficient or inactive and the patient will lose massive amounts of water. Symptoms include excessive thirst and frequent urination. If the disease remains untreated, the patient can develop complications.
Fever and Headache
Patients suffering from diabetes insipidus may develop a low-grade fever and a headache, according to MayoClinic.com. Both of theses symptoms can be caused by the lack of water in the patient's system. In response to in adequate amounts of water, the body will raise its core body temperature. Headaches can be caused by either the decrease in water or by the electrolyte imbalance caused by the increased secretion of water. Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium and calcium, are usually delicately balanced by fluid volume. If this balance is suddenly altered, then patients may develop a headache among other symptoms.
Rapid Heart Rate
Diabetes insipidus can cause a significant increase in heart rate, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Most of the water lost due to the disease was supposed to be used to add volume to the bloodstream. Without this volume, the heart must pump faster in order to push enough blood to the other organs of the body.
Muscle Pain or Weakness
Both the dehydration and electrolyte imbalance seen in diabetes insipidus can cause muscle pain or weakness, reports MayoClinic.com. The muscles require both adequate water supply and electrolyte balance to contract properly. In diabetes insipidus both of these requirements are abnormal and thus the muscles begin to weaken and become painful. Patients may experience frequent cramps and muscle spasms.
Weight Loss
A complication of chronic, untreated diabetes insipidus is severe weight loss. This weight loss is usually unplanned by the patient and is unexplained by any other cause. Most of the weight loss is caused by a drastic loss in water volume. Patients will notice that the skin around their eyes will appear sunken and their lips will be constantly dry. The weight loss will continue as long as the diabetes insipidus goes untreated. Once treatment is successful, patients will gradually gain weight.
