• Vasopressin (also called anti-diuretic hormone) is a hormone released by the hypothalamus, a gland in the brain.  Vasopressin acts on the kidneys, allowing them to conserve water.  When there is a decrease or lack of vasopressin, diabetes insipidus occurs, causing the kidney (and body) to lose massive amounts of water.
  

• Intense thirst
  
• Craving for ice water
  
• Large amounts of urine; frequent urination
  
• Dehydration
  
• Confusion
  
• There may be visual disturbance
  
• Shock
  

• Central
  

• Vasopressinase -- induced (diabetes insipidus of pregnancy) -- this enzyme can be released abnormally in the last 3 months of pregnancy, destroying the vasopressin present in the blood
  
• Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus -- the kidney does not respond correctly to vasopressin
  
• Drugs such as Demeclocycline and Lithium may produce nephrogenic-type DI
  

• 24 hour urine
  
• High Sodium levels in the blood
  
• Vasopressin challenge test helps to determine which type of diabetes insipidus is present
  
• MRI of pituitary, hypothalamus, and skull to look for damaged areas
  

• All types

1. Adequate fluid intake
   

1. Hydrochorothiazide
   
2. Delivery of baby will stop the condition
   

• Cushing's Syndrome
• Corticosteroid medications
• Lithium medication
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Parkinson's Disease
• Sarcoidosis of the central nervous system
• Psychogenic polydipsia (compulsive water drinking)
• Hand-Schuller-Christian Syndrome
• Histiocytosis X

• Clarification

- Diabetes insipidus is given its name because the symptoms are similar to Diabetes Mellitus ("sugar diabetes"), but in fact, they are two completely different diseases.

• Warning                                                      

- Individuals with this condition should never be denied water or liquids, as it can be life-threatening.