Diabetes insipidus is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys excrete excessive amounts of water, causing frequent urination and thirst. Central and nephrogenic forms of the disorder occur. Deficient production of antidiurectic hormone by the hypothalamus, a small endocrine organ on the underside of the brain, causes central diabetes insipidus. Antidiurectic hormone prompts water conservation by the kidneys. Central diabetes insipidus can cause complications associated with water and mineral imbalances in the body. Replacement antidiuretic hormone serves as the primary treatment for central diabetes insipidus.
Sleep Deprivation
Central diabetes insipidus characteristically causes multiple awakenings during the night to urinate, notes The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. This disruption in the quantity and quality of sleep leads to chronic sleep deprivation. Daytime drowsiness, irritability, decreased productivity, prolonged reaction time, mental slowness, poor memory function and impaired judgment are among the many effects of chronic sleep deprivation.
Unintentional Weight Loss
People with central diabetes insipidus characteristically exhibit extreme, unrelenting thirst, notes the National Library of Medicine's online medical encyclopedia, MedlinePlus. Patients typically consume large volumes of water, ice and fluids each day. Habitual consumption of large volumes of fluid may interfere with an adequate intake of solid foods, potentially leading to unintentional weight loss and malnutrition.
Dizziness and Fainting
Central diabetes insipidus causes urinary water loss regardless of the body's need to conserve water. As a result, without continuous water replenishment through drinking fluids, dehydration easily develops with central diabetes insipidus. Dehydration typically causes a parallel drop in blood pressure, as noted by MayoClinic.com. Low blood pressure commonly manifests as dizziness. Changes in body position---such as sitting up from a reclining position or standing quickly---often precipitate dizziness due to an abnormal drop in blood pressure. With severely decreased blood pressure, rapid changes in body position may cause fainting.
Seizures
People with central diabetes insipidus may develop hypernatremia, an abnormally high concentration of sodium in the blood, reports The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. The high concentration of sodium adversely affects the brain and may trigger seizures. A period of confusion, reflecting sodium-induced abnormalities in brain function, often precedes the onset of a seizure. Correction of the blood sodium level typically alleviates the occurrence of seizures with this medical condition.
Fevers
Episodic dehydration remains a frequent problem in undiagnosed central diabetes insipidus. Insufficient total body water disrupts the regulation of body temperature, typically resulting in fevers. Fever, in turn, causes worsening dehydration. Episodic fevers may be a presenting symptom of central diabetes insipidus, notes the National Library of Medicine's online medical encyclopedia MedlinePlus.
References
- Penn State College of Medicine Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Diabetes Insipidus
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetes Insipidus
- MayoClinic.com: Diabetes Insipidus
- MedlinePlus: Diabetes Insipidus
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Central Diabetes Insipidus (Vasopressin-Sensitive Diabetes Insipidus)
