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Diabetes Insipidus
Pronunciation
Definition 1
A condition in which a person is very thirsty and makes large amounts of urine. The most common types of diabetes insipidus are central diabetes insipidus (a pituitary disorder) and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (kidney failure). Diabetes insipidus is not related to diabetes mellitus, which is more common. (NCI Dictionary)
Definition 2
A disorder characterized by excretion of large amounts of urine, accompanied by excessive thirst. Causes include deficiency of antidiuretic hormone or failure of the kidneys to respond to antidiuretic hormone. It may also be drug-related. (NCI Thesaurus)
More information
Diabetes insipidus (DI) causes frequent urination. You become extremely thirsty, so you drink. Then you urinate. This cycle can keep you from sleeping or even make you wet the bed. Your body produces lots of urine that is almost all water.
DI is different from diabetes mellitus (DM), which involves insulin problems and high blood sugar. The symptoms can be similar. However, DI is related to how your kidneys handle fluids. It's much less common than DM. Urine and blood tests can show which one you have.
Usually, DI is caused by a problem with your pituitary gland or your kidneys. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. Medicines can often help. (NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)