What Is Diabetes Insipidus? Learn About Its Causes and Symptoms
Diabetes is not just about blood sugar or insulin resistance. There is also diabetes insipidus, which is different because its cause is unrelated to blood sugar levels.
Let’s take a closer look at what diabetes insipidus is, its symptoms, and how it is treated.
Understanding Diabetes Insipidus

This condition causes people to feel very thirsty and be unable to hold their urine. While a person normally urinates about 2 liters per day, someone with this condition may produce 3 to 20 liters of urine every day.
Compared with other, more familiar types of diabetes, this condition may sound less well-known. This is understandable, since it is very rare, affecting only about 1 in 25,000 people.[1]
What Causes Diabetes Insipidus?

Broadly speaking, this condition occurs when the body produces and absorbs too little vasopressin. This hormone helps control the urge to urinate.
A lack of this hormone in the body can be caused by many factors, depending on the type of diabetes insipidus a person has.
Central Diabetes Insipidus
This condition is initially caused by damage to the back of the brain, which plays a role in regulating the release of hormones, including vasopressin. Some possible triggers include infection, tumors, and blocked blood vessels.
As a result, the hypothalamus cannot function properly to meet the body’s need for vasopressin. Consequently, the body is unable to hold urine for as long.[2]
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus
This type of diabetes insipidus is caused by the kidneys’ inability to respond to vasopressin. Causes include impaired kidney function, high calcium levels, and the use of certain medications, such as lithium, demeclocycline, and ofloxacin.[3]
Gestational Diabetes Insipidus
As the name suggests, this condition affects only pregnant women. It is triggered by the production of an enzyme by the placenta that breaks down vasopressin.
This health condition is very rare. Only 2 to 4 out of every 100,000 pregnant women experience it.[4]
Dipsogenic Diabetes Insipidus
In this medical condition, the cause is a malfunction in the hypothalamus’s thirst-regulating mechanism. This disorder is not triggered by diet, but is more often associated with psychiatric disorders or psychosis.[5]
What Is the Difference Between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus?

As explained, diabetes insipidus is caused by the amount of vasopressin. This is, of course, different from diabetes mellitus, which is caused by blood glucose and insulin levels.
Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus

Although only a doctor can make a definitive diagnosis, there are several signs you can watch for that may indicate this health condition, including:
- Feeling lethargic.
- A stronger urge to urinate at night.
- Producing more urine than the normal limit of 2 liters per day.
- Bed-wetting.
- Uncontrollable thirst.
- Reduced appetite due to frequent drinking.
- Body aches.
- Pale-colored urine.
Treatment for Diabetes Insipidus

There are several ways to treat this health condition. The treatment will depend on the type of diabetes insipidus a person has.
Central Diabetes Insipidus
Treatment involves medication with a synthetic analog of the hormone arginine vasopressin (desmopressin) to make up for the body’s vasopressin deficiency. This medication is available as a pill, injection, or nasal spray.
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus
Hormone medications such as desmopressin are ineffective for this condition because kidney function is impaired. Therefore, treatment usually involves reducing salt intake to minimize urine production.
In addition, if the condition is caused by medication, the doctor will stop the medication.
Gestational Diabetes Insipidus
As with treatment for central diabetes insipidus, people with this condition will also take desmopressin, which is safe for both mother and fetus.
Dipsogenic Diabetes Insipidus
Treatment involves addressing the underlying mental health condition. People with this condition are also advised to reduce their fluid intake, limit spicy and salty foods, and stop drinking alcohol.
Preventing Diabetes Insipidus

Although this condition is rare, it is still worth taking preventive steps. One way is to maintain kidney health, for example:
Reducing the Use of Medications That Affect Kidney Health
One step you can take is to reduce long-term medication use. If possible, consult your doctor about whether you can stop taking the medication and switch to another treatment.
Reducing Salty Food Consumption
Salt is necessary because the body cannot produce it. However, eating foods high in salt too often is also unhealthy, as it can make the kidneys work harder to filter toxins from the blood.
It is best to consume no more than one teaspoon of salt. Following this advice can help you estimate the right amount of salt to add to your meals.[6]
If you or someone close to you experiences symptoms such as frequent urination and excessive thirst, do not hesitate to consult a medical professional to check for possible diabetes insipidus. Getting an early diagnosis can speed up the treatment you need.
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