Friday, February, 10, 2012

Diabetes insipidus - central

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Central diabetes insipidus


Symptoms
  • Increased amount of urine production
  • Excessive thirst
  • Confusion and changes in consciousness due to dehydration (if the patient is unable to drink)

Signs and tests

A person with central diabetes insipidus produces more than 3 liters of urine a day. Urinalysis will show a low concentration of salt in the urine.

A water restriction test is used to look at how well the kidney works and how much urine is produced. This test is done during a hospital stay. A weight check, urine collection, and a blood test to check sodium concentration are done every hour. The blood sodium concentration may become high if the condition is untreated, and a person is not allowed to drink water.

A CT or MRI of the head may show a problem in or near the pituitary gland.

A person with central diabetes insipidus produces more than 3 liters of urine a day. Urinalysis will show a dilute urine with a low concentration of salt in the urine.


Review Date: 11/30/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Herbert Y. Lin, MD, PHD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)