diabetes insipidus
Pronunciation: in-SIP-ih-dus
Disorder characterized by excessive urination and thirst due to deficient or ineffective vasopressin.
Full Definition
Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition characterized by the production of large volumes of dilute urine (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia) due to either inadequate production of antidiuretic hormone (central diabetes insipidus) or kidney insensitivity to the hormone (nephrogenic diabetes insipidus). Central diabetes insipidus results from damage to the hypothalamus or posterior pituitary, while nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is caused by kidney resistance to vasopressin action. The condition is diagnosed through water deprivation testing and desmopressin stimulation tests, with treatment varying based on the underlying etiology.
Usage
Usage note: Not related to diabetes mellitus despite similar name; 'insipidus' means 'tasteless' in Latin.
In Context
- "The patient developed central diabetes insipidus following transsphenoidal pituitary surgery." — Post-operative note
- "Water deprivation testing confirmed the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus." — Diagnostic procedure