Diabetes mellitus is caused by problems with a pancreatic hormone called insulin, while diabetes insipidus occurs due to issues associated with antidiuretic hormones. Insulin removes glucose from the blood; antidiuretic hormone controls the amount of water the kidneys excrete. Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus share some symptoms, the most common of which include frequent urination and increased thirst. However, due to the fact that they have different causes, they are treated differently.
Desmopressin
Central diabetes insipidus is caused by a lack of antidiuretic hormone, which is produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland. When it is needed by the body, this crucial hormone is secreted from the pituitary gland. However, in this condition, the kidneys, uninhibited by the antidiuretic hormone, excrete large amounts of water through urine.
Factors such as a brain tumors, brain injury or other diseases may cause central diabetes insipidus. However, anything that causes the hypothalamus to produce little to no antidiuretic hormone or inhibits the pituitary gland from releasing this hormone can cause central diabetes insipidus. Treatment of this condition involves replacing the deficient hormone with a synthetic one called desmopressin. It is available as a tablet, nasal spray and injection. The Mayo Clinic explains that this drug is safe for most diabetes insipidus patients.
Insulin
There are several types of diabetes mellitus, but they are all characterized by too much glucose in the blood. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease in which the insulin producing cells of the pancreas are destroyed; therefore, there is little to no insulin in the body of a type 1 diabetes mellitus patient. This condition is treated with insulin. Treatment involves injecting insulin into the body with a needle and syringe or an insulin pen. Insulin pumps are also used to administer insulin.
Oral Antihyperglycemic Drugs
Oral antihyperglycemic drugs are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this type of diabetes mellitus, the pancreas produces insulin but the body does not use it properly. It can also be caused by insufficient insulin production. Drugs used to treat this condition include those classified as biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, alpha glucosidase inhibitors and thiazolidinediones. Acarbose, metformin and glipizide are examples of oral antihyperglycemic drugs.
Diuretics
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus occurs when the kidneys do not respond to the effect of antidiuretic hormone. Other kidney diseases or drugs can also cause this type of diabetes insipidus. Additionally, nephrogenic diabetes can be inherited. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library explains that thiazide diuretics are used to treat this disease. They work by stimulating the body to retain sodium and water. This results in decreased urinating. Hydrochlorothiazide is an example of a thiazide diuretic.
