Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

The Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus or the NDI, is a disorder of the kidneys where the kidneys fail to conserve the water that we consume and thus what happens is that the water which is required by our body, is flushed out in large quantity in the form of undiluted urine and this leaves the person suffering from this problem. This diabetes insipidus should not be confused with central diabetes insipidus or Pituitary diabetes insipidus. Although the symptoms in both these cases are the same, the causes and treatments of each is different. Let us now see what are the various causes, symptoms and treatments of Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

Causes

It is a genetic disease and it is carried mainly in the X chromosomes of the human body. I am sure that you must be knowing that males have both X and Y chromosomes while females have two X chromosomes. It is the X chromosome that carries this gene. If the X chromosome of a girl is carrying this gene, then the girl will not suffer much but she will be the carrier. This is because one X chromosome of the girl will be good, making up for the bad chromosome. Females with this problem, are called carriers. The males on the other hand, will have only one X chromosome and if it contains the gene, then they become affected by this diabetes. This does not mean that the females are only carriers and not suffers. No. They too show symptoms of this problem, but very mild symptoms.

Another reason for a person having this problem is that the receptor gene in the human body remains normal, but the gene which helps in the formation of the water channel in the kidney, which reabsorbs the water in our body, is damaged. This can happen to anyone, male or female. This kind of diabetes insipidus is not a hereditary type of problem. Even if no one in the family has had this problem, the genetic type of NDI, a person in the same family might have it too.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms that a person suffering from this problem shows. Since, the kidneys in the patient's body fail to retain enough water and releases most of it in the form of diluted urine, dehydration is one of the most common symptoms.

• Fatigue and lethargic feeling
• Severe headache
• Heart rate increases
• Pain in the muscles
• Rapid loss of weight
• Dry mucous membrane
• Excessive thirst
• Skin becomes dry
• Excessive urine
• Body temperature becomes low
• Person becomes irritated
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Eyes have a sunken appearance.

Due to NDI, a person might undergo several complications. One such complication is that due to constant flow of urine and that too several times a day, the uterus and the urinary bladder expands which in turn might lead to several problems in future. The person also suffers from severe dehydration. The blood plasma becomes highly concentrated and if this is not checked on time, then the brain can undergo permanent damage. If severe dehydration occurs then, death can also take place. Hence, as soon as one starts to show the symptoms, necessary treatment has to be started. Let us now see what are the various treatments that are available.

Treatment

Fortunately, if treated at the right time, or at an early stage, NDI can be easily cured. The most important treatment is to make up for the loss of fluid and regulate the fluid level in the body. For this one has to drink lots of water. One can also use hydrochlorothiazide to improve the symptoms in the body. The doctor might ask the patient to take it either with the combination of other medicines such as indomethacin or it can also be taken alone. This reduces the output of urine. These medicines do have some side effects which the doctor will tell you about. One also needs to take a high diet protein and a diet that is rich in sodium. All these treatments will reduce the rate of urine output, but at present, there are no such cure for this type of diabetes insipidus.

Now that we have seen what are the various causes and symptoms, if you see anyone showing the symptoms, then take him to the doctor immediately before things get worse. Prompt treatment can cure the ailment and provide relief to the patient.