How to Prevent Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is quite different from diabetes, in that diabetes insipidus involves the body's production or response to a hormone produced in the brain called ADH, or the anti-diuretic hormone, and diabetes involves the body's production and response to the hormone insulin. What happens in diabetes insipidus is that the brain may create too little of this hormone, or the body doesn't respond appropriately to this hormone, causing the kidneys to not function properly. This prompts the kidneys to expel hydration more quickly, resulting in an increase in both urine production and thirst.
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Instructions
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Consult with your doctor to properly diagnose your particular condition. Since there is more than one form of diabetes insipidus, it is important to distinguish between central diabetes insipidus and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Though the two conditions are similar, treatment options vary.
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Drink plenty of water. No matter which condition you have, it is important to drink plenty of water. Actually, you should drink the equivalent volume of fluids you are losing through urine, if not more, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Start taking desmopressin, a prescription medication that essentially manages urine production, bringing it back to a "normal" output. This particular medication is only available for individuals living with central diabetes insipidus.
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Begin using hydrochlorothiazide or indomethacin, prescription medications that actually reduce the amount of urine a person can produce. This particular medication is only available for individuals living with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
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Talk to your doctor about the medications you are currently taking. Sometimes, according to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes insipidus can be a consequence of certain prescription medications. Some people can find relief from this condition by swapping one medication for another that can serve the same purpose.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are involved in sports or athletics and have diabetes insipidus, you need to make sure you have enough water or fluids on hand to replace that which you have lost. Bring a cooler of water, especially when fountains aren't available to hydrate yourself.
