More often than not, when we hear of diabetes, we think of low sugar diets, insulin production deficiencies, insulin shots, and similar ideas. Diabetes, however, can occur without lack of insulin production and high blood sugar level.

Diabetes Insipidus, a less prevalent disease unlike Diabetes Mellitus is a disease not at all related with the hormone insulin or blood sugar level. While DM is usually called "sugar diabetes", DI is also known as "water diabetes". Primarily, Diabetes Insipidus may present with symptoms similar to DM like polyuria or increased urination frequency and polydipsia or excessive thirst and increase in water intake.

Diabetes Insipidus happens when the pituitary gland located in the brain does not produce enough ADH (Anti-diuretic Hormone). This ADH or vasopressin is the one responsible for controlling the amount of water inside our body. It regulates the amount of urine collected by the kidneys and returns excess water into the bloodstream.

What causes the DI? Usually, brain related injuries may lead to the disruption of the production and storage ability of the posterior pituitary gland (neurohypophysis). Head injury, brain aneurysm, brain infection, brain tumor- these are just few of the predisposing factors for DI.
Monitoring yourself for DI symptoms can be ambiguous- that is, symptoms may lead you to suspect of developing DM instead. Common signs and symptoms include dry skin, constipation, voiding excessive amount of clear urine, extreme urge for fluid intake.

Diabetes Insipidus actually has no natural cure. What a DI patient needs is enough fluid intakes to satisfy his or her thirst. A drug called desmopressin is also administered for those with neurogenic DI. Diagnostic tests are important for a more clear-cut diagnosis of DI since it may be confused with DM considering their symptoms. Still, awareness of the health problem and monitoring one's body is an effective way in diagnosing Diabetes Insipidus the earliest time possible to avoid serious complications.