﻿ Diabetes Insipidus: Get the Facts on Treatment and Symptoms

Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes insipidus facts*

*Diabetes insipidus facts Medically Edited by:
  • There are four types of diabetes insipidus; 1) central diabetes insipidus, 2) nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, 3) dipsogenic diabetes insipidus, and 4) gestational diabetes insipidus.
  • The most common symptom of diabetes insipidus is frequent urination.
  • The diagnosis for diabetes insipidus is based on a series of tests (for example, urinalysis and fluid deprivation test).
  • The treatment for diabetes insipidus depends on the type of diabetes insipidus.
  • Diabetes can lead to chronic kidney disease.
  • Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure in the US.


Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare disease that causes frequent urination. The large volume of urine is diluted, mostly water. To make up for lost water, a person with diabetes insipidus may feel the need to drink large amounts and is likely to urinate frequently, even at night, which can disrupt sleep and, on occasion, cause bedwetting. Because of the excretion of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine, people with diabetes insipidus may quickly become dehydrated if they do not drink enough water. Children with diabetes insipidus may be irritable or listless and may have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Milder forms of diabetes insipidus can be managed by drinking enough water, usually between 2 and 2.5 liters a day. Diabetes insipidus severe enough to endanger a person's health is rare.

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Diabetes Insipidus Definition


