The main substance that regulates the water balance, as well as controlling the osmotic composition of biological fluids, is the antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin). It is produced by the hypothalamus and accumulates in the pituitary gland, from where it enters the spinal cord and blood. If there is a violation of production or sensitivity to this hormone, diabetes insipidus develops - the symptoms of this condition are associated with a change in the salt and water balance in the body, the functioning of the urinary system.
The first signs of diabetes insipidus
There are 2 forms of the described disease - nephrogenic (renal) and central (hypothalamic).
In the first case, diabetes insipidus develops as a result of a deterioration in the sensitivity of the kidneys to the incoming vasopressin. At the same time, the amount of antidiuretic hormone in the blood is stable.
The central type of pathology is characterized by a lack of vasopressin production in the hypothalamus, which is why the concentration of the substance in the body is too low.
Also known is the idiopathic form of diabetes insipidus, the causes of which can not be established.
Despite the different mechanisms of disease progression, the early symptomatology is approximately the same for all types of ailment:
- Polyuria. In a day, an excessive amount of urine is formed and released, more than 3 liters.
- Polydiria. Unnaturally expressed and constant thirst. Because of the large volume of excreted urine, compensatory mechanisms are started, aimed at replenishing the lost fluid. As a result, the patient drinks more than 5 liters of water per day.
- Fatigability and sleep disorders. These clinical manifestations occur in response to frequent urge to urinate (pollakiuria) at night. The constant need for regular visits to the toilet during the rest period provokes insomnia, reduced efficiency, irritability, neuroses, instability of the mental and emotional state.
Specific symptoms of nephrogenic and hypothalamic diabetes insipidus
Further progression of the disease worsens the general well-being of a person. The amount of excreted urine, and hence the liquid being drunk, increases even more, to 20-30 liters per day.
Other characteristic symptoms of renal and central diabetes insipidus:
- severe dryness of the skin;
- intense headaches ;
- decrease in blood pressure values;
- decrease in salivary secretion and increase in its viscosity;
- rapid loss of body weight;
- fits of vomiting;
- deterioration of appetite;
- decreased secretion of sweat;
- menstrual cycle disorders;
- increased body temperature;
- dehydration, sometimes up to shock conditions;
- dyspeptic disorders.
In the study of urine, its low specific gravity, relative density, a small number of chemical elements (except sodium) and salts in the biological fluid are detected. Also during the diagnosis it is noted:
- omission, stretching of the stomach;
- biliary dyskinesia ;
- hypernatremia;
- pituitary insufficiency;
- irritation of the intestine.
All these signs can be accompanied by severe dyspeptic disorders.
Prevention of the causes of diabetes insipidus and its symptoms
There are no measures to prevent the described disease, especially its idiopathic form. Therefore, doctors recommend not to neglect the annual planned medical examinations, regularly take urine for analysis, try to follow a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits.