Q: Beside central diabetes, nephrogenic and gestational diabetes insipidus - what is Dipsogenic Diabetes Insipidus (DI)?


Answer: Dipsogenic DI is due to a defect or damage to the thirst mechanism, which is located in the hypothalamus. This defect results in an abnormal increase in thirst and fluid intake that suppresses ADH secretion and increases urine output.

Clinical significance: Desmopressin (or other drugs) should not be used to treat dipsogenic diabetes insipidus because they may decrease urine output but not thirst and fluid intake. This fluid "overload" can lead to water intoxication, leading to hyponatremia and so brain damage.

There is no effective treatment but some recommends small doses of DDAVP at bedtime to relieve nocturia.