Clinical and laboratory symptoms of diabetes insipidus

The article was written by Assoc. Prof, Dr., BSCK II Chu Hoang Van, Department of Medical Examination - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Diabetes insipidus is a water disorder, common in young adults, more men than women, and requires long-term treatment. So what are the symptoms of the disease?

Diabetes insipidus is a group of water disorders, characterized by frequent urination (more than 3 liters/day) due to a decrease in the ability to reabsorb water, which is caused by the body not producing enough anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). hypothalamus, posterior pituitary and this hormone are secreted under the regulation of osmotic pressure.
The disease usually begins at a young age, more men than women. The cause of the disease can be primary (idiopathic), secondary (after brain surgery, tumor, trauma)
Or nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (when there is a defect in the renal tubule, the kidneys fail to function properly). response to the action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

2.1 Clinical symptoms Depending on the cause of the disease, the onset of the disease can be gradual or sudden:
Frequent urination, > 3 liters/day, night, clear urine Excessive thirst, drinking a lot of water Dehydration (due to the amount of water) more water loss than drinking) 2.2 Subclinical symptoms Electrolytes : normal or high blood sodium; Low urine density ( < 1,006 ); Normal or high blood osmolality; Blood ADH test: normal or high with renal cause or low with pituitary cause; MRI of pituitary gland: find the cause of pituitary tumor; Renal ultrasound (looking for the cause in the kidney).

Principles: Replenish water, electrolytes and treat the cause With central diabetes insipidus: If there is a tumor in the pituitary gland, surgery is required. If ADH hormone deficiency is used, hormone replacement is used (Minirin, nasal spray form. , subcutaneously or orally - depending on indications nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: There is currently no specific treatment, but commonly used thiazide preparations, which have the effect of reducing glomerular filtration rate and increasing water reabsorption in the renal tubule.

Need long-term treatment (in some cases life-long if idiopathic) Additive cause of disease: Central diabetes insipidus after pituitary surgery, will resolve on its own after a few days, a few weeks (but will be permanent if pituitary gland is cut) Advice: should always relax, drink enough water, take medicine for a long time, take the full dose according to the instructions, have regular check-ups. In the case of brain MRI with pituitary adenoma, specialist examination is recommended for early cesarean section or long-term hormone replacement therapy when the ADH test is low (idiopathic diabetes insipidus).
When the body shows symptoms of diabetes insipidus, you should immediately go to a reputable medical facility to be examined and treated by a specialist doctor. Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical facility in Vietnam with a team of highly qualified medical professionals, well-trained, domestic and foreign, and experienced.
A system of modern and advanced medical equipment, possessing many of the best machines in the world, helping to detect many difficult and dangerous diseases in a short time, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of doctors the most effective. The hospital space is designed according to 5-star hotel standards, giving patients comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.