Diabetes Insipidus Natural Remedies

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a condition characterized by large amounts of dilute urine and increased thirst. The amount of urine produced can be nearly 20 liters per day. The reduction of fluid has little effect on the concentration of urine. Complications may include dehydration or seizures. Diabetes insipidus is unrelated to diabetes mellitus and the conditions have a distinct mechanism, though both can result in the production of large amounts of urine. Treatment involves drinking sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration. Other treatments depend on the type. The number of new cases of diabetes insipidus each year is 3 in 100,000. Central DI usually starts between the ages of 10 and 20 and occurs in males and females equally.

What is Diabetes insipidus?

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare disorder that differs greatly from the famili­ar Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes. DI happens when your body lacks enough hormones to signal to your kidneys to hang on to the right amount of water.

As a result, your body loses too much water through your urine. That makes you severely thirsty. The name of the condition comes from the word “insipid,” to describe the watery pee. DI is also called water diabetes.

Diabetes insipidus Complications

There are 2 main complications of diabetes insipidus: dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance. Complications are more likely if the condition goes undiagnosed or is poorly controlled.

Dehydration

If you have diabetes insipidus, your body will find it difficult to retain enough water, even if you drink fluid constantly.

This can lead to dehydration and a severe lack of water in the body. If you or someone you know has diabetes insipidus, it’s important to look out for the signs and symptoms of dehydration.

These may include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness,
• A headache,
• Dry mouth and lips,
• Sunken features (particularly the eyes), and
• Confusion and irritability.

Dehydration can be treated by rebalancing the level of water in your body. If you’re severely dehydrated, you may need intravenous fluid replacement in the hospital. This is where fluids are given directly through a drip into your vein.

Electrolyte imbalance

Diabetes insipidus can also cause an electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are minerals in your blood that have a tiny electric charge, such as sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, and bicarbonate.

If the body loses too much water, the concentration of these electrolytes can go up simply because the amount of water they’re contained in has gone down. This dehydration disrupts other functions of the body, such as the way muscles work.

It can also lead to:

• A headache,
• Feeling tired all the time (fatigue),
• Irritability, and
• Muscle pain.

Diabetes insipidus Symptoms

Excessive urination and extreme thirst

Excessive urination and extreme thirst and increased fluid intake (especially for cold water and sometimes ice or ice water) are typical for DI. The symptoms of excessive urination and extreme thirst are similar to what is seen in untreated diabetes mellitus, with the distinction that the urine does not contain glucose. Blurred vision is a rarity. Signs of dehydration may also appear in some individuals since the body cannot conserve much (if any) of the water it takes in.

Extreme urination continues throughout the day and the night. In children, DI can interfere with appetite, eating, weight gain, and growth, as well. They may present with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Adults with untreated DI may remain healthy for decades as long as enough water is consumed to offset the urinary losses. However, there is a continuous risk of dehydration and loss of potassium that may lead to hypokalemia.

Diabetes insipidus Cause

The several causes of diabetes insipidus are:

Central Diabetes insipidus

Central DI has many possible causes. According to the literature, the principal causes of central DI and their oft-cited approximate frequencies are as follows:

• Idiopathic – 30%.
• Malignant or benign tumors of the brain or pituitary – 25%.
• Cranial surgery – 20%.
• Head trauma – 16%.

Nephrogenic Diabetes insipidus

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is due to the inability of the kidney to respond normally to vasopressin.

Dipsogenic Diabetes insipidus

Dipsogenic DI or primary polydipsia results from excessive intake of fluids as opposed to deficiency of arginine vasopressin. It may be due to a defect or damage to the thirst mechanism, located in the hypothalamus, or due to mental illness. Treatment with desmopressin may lead to water intoxication.

Gestational Diabetes insipidus

Gestational DI occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. During pregnancy, women produce vasopressinase in the placenta, which breaks down antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Gestational DI is thought to occur with excessive production and impaired clearance of vasopressinase.

Diabetes insipidus is also associated with some serious diseases of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and acute fatty liver pregnancy. These cause DI by impairing hepatic clearance of circulating vasopressinase. It is important to consider these diseases if a woman presents with diabetes insipidus during pregnancy because their treatments require delivery of the baby before the disease will improve. Failure to treat these diseases promptly can lead to maternal or perinatal mortality.

Diabetes insipidus Risk Factors

Common Risk Factors

The following are some of the common risk factors associated with the development of diabetes insipidus:

• Genetics,
• Polycystic kidney disease,
• Pituitary disorders,
• Hypothalamic injury,
• Hypercalcemia,
• Head tumors,
• Pregnancy,
• Sickle cell disease,
• Amyloidosis, and
• Lithium use.

Less Common Risk Factors

Less common risk factors include:

• Male gender,
• Family history of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus,
• Excessive water consumption,
• Pregnancy, and
• Drugs like phenothiazine.

Diabetes insipidus Diagnosis

Measurement of blood electrolytes

To distinguish DI from other causes of excess urination, blood glucose levels, bicarbonate levels, and calcium levels need to be tested. Measurement of blood electrolytes can reveal a high sodium level (hypernatremia as dehydration develops). Urinalysis demonstrates dilute urine with low specific gravity. Urine osmolarity and electrolyte levels are typically low.

Fluid deprivation test

A fluid deprivation test is another way of distinguishing DI from other causes of excessive urination. If there is no change in fluid loss, giving desmopressin can determine if DI is caused by a defect in the:

1. ADH production
2. The kidneys’ response to ADH

ADH production Test

This test measures the changes in body weight, urine output, and urine composition when fluids are withheld to induce dehydration. The body’s normal response to dehydration is to conserve water by concentrating the urine. Those with DI continue to urinate large amounts of dilute urine in spite of water deprivation.

In primary polydipsia, the urine osmolality should increase and stabilize at above 280 mOsm/kg with fluid restriction, while a stabilization at a lower level indicates diabetes insipidus. Stabilization in this test means, more specifically, when the increase in urine osmolality is less than 30 Osm/kg per hour for at least three hours. Sometimes measuring blood levels of ADH toward the end of this test is also necessary, but is more time-consuming to perform.

The kidneys’ response to ADH

To distinguish between the main forms, desmopressin stimulation is also used; desmopressin can be taken by injection, a nasal spray, or a tablet. While taking desmopressin, a person should drink fluids or water only when thirsty and not at other times, as this can lead to sudden fluid accumulation in the central nervous system.

If desmopressin reduces urine output and increases urine osmolarity, the hypothalamic production of ADH is deficient, and the kidney responds normally to exogenous vasopressin (desmopressin). If the DI is due to kidney pathology, desmopressin does not change either urine output or osmolarity (since the endogenous vasopressin levels are already high).

Absence of thirst

Whilst diabetes insipidus usually occurs with polydipsia, it can also rarely occur not only in the absence of polydipsia but in the presence of its opposite, adipsia (or hypodipsia). “Adipsic diabetes insipidus” is recognized as a marked absence of thirst even in response to hyperosmolality. In some cases of adipsic DI, the person may also fail to respond to desmopressin.

Pituitary MRI

If central DI is suspected, testing of other hormones of the pituitary, as well as magnetic resonance imaging, particularly a pituitary MRI, is necessary to discover if a disease process (such as prolactinoma, histiocytosis, syphilis, tuberculosis, or other tumor or granuloma) is affecting pituitary function. Most people with this form have either experienced past head trauma or have stopped ADH production for an unknown reason.

Diabetes insipidus Precautions

A major complication of diabetes insipidus is dehydration. You can prevent dehydration by increasing the number of liquids that you drink. If you experience the signs of dehydration, such as confusion, dizziness, or sluggishness, seek immediate care.

Diabetes insipidus Treatment

Treatment involves drinking sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration. Other treatments depend on the type. In central and gestational DI treatment is with desmopressin. Nephrogenic DI may be treated by addressing the underlying cause or the use of a thiazide, aspirin, or ibuprofen.

Central

Central DI and gestational DI respond to desmopressin which is given as intranasal or oral tablets. Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsive medication, has also had some success in this type of DI. Also, gestational DI tends to abate on its own four to six weeks following labor, though some women may develop it again in subsequent pregnancies. In dipsogenic DI, desmopressin is not usually an option.

Nephrogenic

Desmopressin will be ineffective in nephrogenic DI which is treated by reversing the underlying cause (if possible) and replacing the free water deficit. A thiazide diuretic, such as chlorthalidone or hydrochlorothiazide, can be used to create mild hypovolemia which encourages salt and water uptake in the proximal tubule and thus improve nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. 

Lithium-induced nephrogenic DI may be effectively managed with the administration of amiloride, a potassium-sparing diuretic often used in conjunction with thiazide or loop diuretics. Clinicians have been aware of lithium toxicity for many years and traditionally have administered thiazide diuretics for lithium-induced polyuria and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. However, amiloride has recently been shown to be a successful treatment for this condition.

Natural Treatments for Diabetes insipidus

Change Diet

A diet containing nutrient-dense whole foods with plenty of water-heavy fruits and vegetables can be helpful for people with diabetes insipidus. Some examples of water-based, hydrating foods to consume regularly include cucumbers, zucchini, dark leafy green vegetables (such as spinach and kale), red cabbage, red peppers, blueberries, watermelon, kiwi, citrus fruit, pineapple, and strawberries.

Starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, squash, bananas, and avocados are also great options. You may also find that coconut water is hydrating and helps to balance your electrolytes.

While you focus on adding these nourishing foods to your diet, try to avoid eating processed foods that are typically high in sodium and other chemicals that are used as preservatives. Removing caffeine from your diet may also be helpful, which includes carbonated soft drinks.

Avoid Dehydration

It’s vital for diabetes insipidus patients to drink enough liquids to replace their urine losses and relieve excessive thirst. You need to drink extra water to compensate for fluid loss, especially after being active or exercising. Research shows that without enough water present in the body, dehydration and deficits can cause cardiovascular complications, muscle cramping, fatigue, dizziness, and confusion.

Make sure to always carry water with you wherever you go. Wearing a medical alert bracelet will alert professionals of your condition and advise them of your need for fluids.

Keep electrolytes Balanced

The major electrolytes found within the body include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphate, and chloride. These nutrients help to stimulate nerves throughout the body and balance fluid levels. You can keep your electrolytes balanced by avoiding packaged or processed foods because of their sodium content.

Sodium is an electrolyte that plays a significant role in the body’s ability to retain or release water. So if your diet is very high in sodium, the kidneys excrete more water. This can cause complications in balancing other electrolytes. It’s also important to drink enough water throughout the day and to increase your water intake after exercise when you are sick or any time you are losing fluids.

Keep mouth Moist

Sucking on ice chips or sour candies can help to moisten your mouth and increase saliva flow, reducing your desire to drink. This can be especially helpful later in the evening when you don’t want to consume as much water and be up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

Check Medications

Some medications can impact your electrolyte balance, a complication of diabetes insipidus. These include antibiotics, diuretics, hormonal pills, blood pressure medications, and cancer treatments. Cancer patients who are receiving.

If you begin experiencing the signs and symptoms of diabetes insipidus, consider whether a new medication or supplement can be causing fluid or electrolyte imbalances.

Siddha remedies for Diabetes insipidus

A daily routine

 

Which are the risk factors of Diabetes insipidus? The following are some of the common risk factors associated with the development of diabetes insipidus: Genetics, Polycystic kidney disease, Pituitary disorders, Hypothalamic injury, Hypercalcemia, Head tumors, Pregnancy, Sickle cell disease, Amyloidosis, Lithium use.

 

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_insipidus