Diabetes insipidus is a condition in which the body produces large volumes of urine. One type of diabetes insipidus, known as neurogenic or central diabetes insipidus, is caused by a problem in the brain that causes it to produce too little of a hormone known as vasopressin. This hormone reduces urine output. Diabetes insipidus is a serious condition that can cause a number of complications.
Dehydration
One of the main complications of neurogenic diabetes insipidus is dehydration. Patients with this condition are unable to control their urine output, resulting in the excretion of large quantities of very dilute urine. Although patients may be able to initially combat this loss of water from the body by consuming large quantities of fluid, dehydration usually results eventually.
The extreme urine output will continue even if the patient stops drinking fluids for an extended period of time, the Merck Manual explains. Patients suffering from dehydration will develop dry mouth and become extremely thirsty. They may also experience sudden weight loss and develop a sunken appearance to their eyes.
Hypovolemic Shock
In extreme cases, the dehydration caused by neurogenic diabetes insipidus can result in hypovolemic shock. Hypovolemic shock is a condition marked by fluid levels getting so low in the body that the overall volume of the blood is significantly reduced, which makes it difficult for the body to pump enough blood to supply enough oxygen to the rest of the body.
One of the primary symptoms of hypovolemic shock, the Mayo Clinic notes, is a rapid and weak heartbeat. This condition is also marked by extremely low blood pressure. Hypovolemic shock can also result in a high fever.
Electrolyte Imbalances
Diabetes insipidus can also result in electrolyte imbalances, explains MedlinePlus. This is because the high rate of urine output can overwhelm the kidneys and cause them to not be able to control the quantity of electrolytes excreted through the kidneys.
Electrolyte imbalances can result in chronic fatigue or lethargy, because electrolytes are needed for proper muscle and brain function. Patients may also become irritable and develop a headache, as a result of changes in the electrolytes in the fluid that surrounds brain cells. Muscle pains can also result from electrolyte imbalances.
One common problem with electrolytes often seen in patients with neurogenic diabetes insipidus is elevated levels of sodium in the blood, the Merck Manual explains. This condition, known as hypernatremia, is a result of sodium not being excreted at the same rate as water from the body, so it becomes more concentrated in the blood.
This can result in muscle twitching as well as sudden changes in mental status. In severe cases, patients may lapse into a coma and die, states the Penn State Medical Center. The treatment of severe hypernatremia must be done carefully, because if the sodium levels are corrected too rapidly, additional brain damage may occur.
