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Writer's pictureNikki Wagner

DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH - DIABETES INSIPIDUS


A rare form of diabetes, not much talked about, is diabetes insipidus.

The symptoms are extreme thirst (polydipsia) and passing very large amounts of urine (polyuria) due to an insufficient amount of hormone called vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone, ADH). If the symptoms persist severe dehydration, sleep deprivation, weakness, migranes, mineral imbalances and many other complications will occur.

The causes can be a tumor on the pituitary gland, bleeding after trauma into the pituitary, kidney dysfunction, sarcoidosis and several other causes.

One of my children suffers from this form of diabetes. In his case, it is caused by an autoimmune reaction where his body attacked his posterior pituitary gland, destroying it. He, therefore, can no longer produce vasopresin; instead he takes a hormone replacement three times per day.

There is no cure for autoimmune diabetes insipidus, only management.....

Keep the conversation going!

DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH - N x


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