For Pituitary Awareness Month (October 2018) we will be concentrating on diabetes insipidus (DI). This condition is caused by a problem with either the production or action of the hormone vasopressin (AVP). If you have DI, your kidneys are unable to retain water. This leads to the production of large volumes of urine and, in turn, a greatly increased thirst. DI can occur at any age, but is mostly found in adults. It is a rare disorder, affecting only about 1 in 25,000 people.
DI is treated with desmopressin, a replacement for the hormone vasopressin, which is taken two or three times a day. DI is not in any way related to the more common ‘sugar diabetes’ (diabetes mellitus). Many, many DI patients have experienced confusion by health care professionals, and the general public, that DI is the same as diabetes mellitus. It would be extremely dangerous, and potentially critical, for a DI patient to be treated as a diabetic.
The Foundation will also be taking part in the wider debate regarding a change of name for DI. We will be publicising articles about this topic and also working to raise general awareness about this misunderstood condition.