It is a disorder of the body in which a large amount of liquid is eliminated in the form of urine due to the inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine normally and a large amount of dilute urine is eliminated (polyuria: more than 3 liters/day or 6 US pints).
If the cause is an alteration in the manufacture or release of the hormone that concentrates urine, antidiuretic hormone or vasopressin, it is called central diabetes insipidus. The most frequent causes: brain surgery, trauma, tumors, infections and sarcoidosis. When the alteration is in the kidneys because they are unable to respond to the antidiuretic hormone released by the brain, it is called nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
The symptoms are excessive urine production (more than 3 liters per day or 6 US pints) and a greatly increased sensation of thirst.
Diagnosis is made by clinical questioning, physical examination, blood and urine tests. A "fluid restriction test" is performed to confirm the inability to concentrate urine.
In the treatment, the triggering cause should be treated. If the cause is central, the hormone should be given as a nasal spray, tablets or intravenously several times a day. If the cause is renal, the most common pharmacological treatment is with thiazides.
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