Diabetes insipidus is an uncommon disorder that causes an ibalance of fluids in the body. This imbalance leads to the production of copious amounts of urine. The condition also makes you very thirsty. 

While the terms ‘diabetes insipidus’ and ‘diabetes mellitus’ sound similar, they are not related. The latter involves a high blood sugar level and occurs as type 1 or type 2. 

There is no cure for diabetes insipidus. But treatments can relieve your thirst and decrease your urine output and prevent dehydration.

Diabetes insipidus occurs when your body can't properly balance the body's fluid levels. Your kidneys filter the fluid portion of your blood to remove waste products. The majority of the fluid is returned to the bloodstream while the waste and a smaller amount of fluid make up urine. Urine is excreted from your body after being temporarily stored in your bladder. 

A hormone called anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), or vasopressin, is needed for the fluid that's filtered by the kidneys to go back into the bloodstream. ADH is made in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland, a small gland found in the base of the brain. Conditions that cause a deficiency of ADH or block the effect of ADH result in production of excess urine. 

If you have diabetes insipidus, your body can't properly balance fluid levels. The cause depends on the type of diabetes insipidus you have. 

Your kidneys filter the fluid portion of your blood to remove waste products. The majority of fluid is returned to the bloodstream while the waste and a smaller amount of fluid make up urine. Urine is excreted from your body after being temporarily stored in your bladder. 

A hormone called anti-diuretic (ADH), or vasopressin, is needed for the fluid that’s filtered by the kidneys to go back into the bloodstream. ADH is made in a part of the brain called the hypthalamus and stored in the pituitary gland, a small gland found in the base of the brain. Conditions that cause a deficiency of ADH or block the effect of ADH result in production of excess urine. 

If you have diabetes insipidus, your body can’t properly balance fluid levels. The cause depends on the type of diabetes insipidus you have. 

The next article will focus on the types and treatment.