What is Diabetes Insipidus?

Diabetes Insipidus is not the same disease as diabetes mellitus.  This is a disease that involves the pituitary gland and the brain.  When a person has diabetes insipidus it means that their pituitary gland is not storing enough of the anti-diuretic hormone called ADH.  ADH is made by the hypothalamus which is located in the brain.  This hormone is needed by the body to control the fluid balance and normal operations of the kidneys.  Diabetes insipidus can be a fatal disease if it is not discovered and treated soon enough.  Treatment for this disease is ongoing for the remainder of life. 

When not enough ADH is produced the disease is called central diabetes insipidus.  When the kidneys can not respond to the ADH, the disease is called nephrogenic diabetes

insipidus.  In either case, the kidneys are not able to regulate the fluid balance in the body.