Diabetes is normally considered a disease of glucose or sugar metabolism; the pancreas slows or stops production of insulin or the body cells become resistant to insulin's effects. Even gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy but is not usually permanent, is related to sugar metabolism. But the less familiar diabetes insipidus is different. Sodium can be a factor in either situation.
Two Kinds of Diabetes
Diabetes insipidus is similar to diabetes mellitus, or "sugar diabetes," in that both have symptoms of great thirst and frequent, copious urination. The two conditions are not otherwise related. Diabetes insipidus is caused by insufficient production of a hormone called the antidiuretic hormone, or ADH. ADH controls the output of urine. It is secreted by a small gland at the base of the brain called the hypothalamus, and then stored in the pituitary gland. It is release into the bloodstream as necessary to decrease urine output; without ADH, the body would become dehydrated. In diabetes insipidus, ADH secretion can be inadequate or the hormone is not produced at all; in a specific kind of diabetes insipidus, known as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, the kidneys simply don't respond to the ADH. Brain injuries or surgery, tumors, meningitis, encephalitis or a hereditary disorder can all cause diabetes insipidus.
Sodium and Diabetes
Sodium is related to both diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Some people with diabetes mellitus have an inherited trait that predisposes them to hypertension or high blood pressure. This results in a high level of sodium in the blood, and the excess sodium can cause hypertension or make it worse. The connection between sodium and diabetes mellitus is also called the ADH hormone. If your body secretes too much ADH, instead of too little as in diabetes insipidus, you will retain water, which dilutes the amount of sodium in your blood. In diabetes insipidus, the high urinary output can lead to dehydration if an equally high fluid intake is not maintained. The dehydration results in a high sodium blood level.
Hyponatremia
When the level of sodium in the body is too low -- hyponatremia -- it can cause a number of problems, such as headache, mental confusion, nausea and vomiting, lethargy or muscle spasms. If you drink too much water while exercising, take certain medications that wash out sodium, or have hormonal problems, your sodium can drop too low.
Considerations and Warnings
Low sodium does not cause either diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus, but it can be a factor in each condition. Any of these conditions can be potentially serious and should be managed by a health-care professional.
References
- The Mayo Clinic; Diabetes: Causes; Mayo Clinic Staff; March 2011
- The Mayo Clinic: Diabetes Insipidus: Definition; Mayo Clinic Staff; September 2010
- The University of Maryland Medical Center; Diabetes Insipidus - All Information; Parul Patel, M.D.; October 2009
- Medline Plus; Diabetes Insipidus; David Zieve, M.D., M.H.A., et. al.; March 2010
- Diabetes Care; Central Role of Sodium in Hypertension in Diabetic Subjects; P Weidmann, P Ferrari; March 1991
- The Mayo Clinic; Hyponatremia; Mayo Clinic Staff; July 2009
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