Diabetes Insipidus: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Diabetes insipidus is an uncommon disorder that can cause imbalance of water in your body. This can result in intense thirst even after drinking fluids and excretion of large amounts of urine. This condition is experienced by people suffering from diabetes and just like diabetes, it is a lifelong condition. Treatments can relieve your thirst and normalise your urine output. A normal, healthy adult will urinate an average of about 3 litres every day. Anything above that is a cause of concern. It can be detected in children if you observe bed wetting by the ones who did not do so earlier. You will have to go through several diagnostic tests to find out the exact type of your disorder. Central diabetes insipidus, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, gestational diabetes insipidus are the different types and your treatment will be done accordingly.

You will have to go through water deprivation test to determine the cause of diabetes insipidus, urinalysis to see the concentration of urine and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine brain tissues. Central diabetes insipidus is treated with the use of a synthetic hormone called desmopressin. You can take desmopressin as nasal spray, oral tablets or injections. For nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, the doctor may suggest a low salt diet along with medications like hydrochlorothiazide. This will reduce the amount of urine your kidneys produce but you will need to consume enough water to avoid dehydration. Most cases of gestational diabetes insipidus are treated with the synthetic hormone desmopressin.

If you suffer from diabetes and are experiencing intense thirst even after drinking fluids and excretion of large amounts of urine, you must consult your doctor immediately.

Signs like increased thirst and large amount of urine may be caused by other drugs if you are going through another medical treatment. Consult your doctor to confirm your condition.

Taking too much desmopressin can cause low sodium levels in the blood and over water retention. This will result in lethargy, headache or nausea. Other medications can cause temporary redness or itching in skin.

Make sure that your body is not dehydrated. Carry water with yourself wherever you go. Always keep your medications in your carry bag. You may need them any time. Consume a healthy diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. Keep your sugar level and blood pressure in control. Exercise daily and stay away from alcohol and tobacco.

Diabetes insipidus is a lifelong condition. It can never be cured but can become manageable with appropriate medications and treatment.

One session of consultation with your doctor may cost between ₹800 - ₹1500. The cost of desmopressin is around ₹1000 per microgram.

There is no permanent cure for diabetes insipidus but if the medications and treatment are taken properly and timely, the condition can become manageable.

There are no alternatives to the treatment but you must take necessary precautions well in time if you have a family history of diabetes.