K.N.O.W. Home Health - DIABETES INSIPIDUS

DIABETES INSIPIDUS

What Is Diabetes Insipidus?

Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is a rare condition that makes your body lose too much water through your urine. It is not the same as diabetes mellitus, the one that affects blood sugar. Instead, DI affects how your body controls water.

What Causes Diabetes Insipidus?

Diabetes Insipidus happens when the body doesn’t make enough of a hormone called vasopressin, or when the kidneys don’t respond to this hormone. Vasopressin helps the body hold on to water.

Causes include:

Damage to the brain (from surgery, injury, or tumor)
Problems with the pituitary gland
Certain medications
Genetic conditions (from birth)

Signs and Symptoms

Peeing a lot (even at night)
Always feeling very thirsty
Dry mouth
Weakness or tiredness
Dehydration (dry skin, dizziness, confusion)
Headaches

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of DI. Some common treatments include:

Desmopressin (DDAVP): A medicine that replaces the missing hormone.
Drinking enough water: To avoid getting dehydrated.
Treating the cause: Like stopping a certain medicine or treating a brain injury.

Always take your medicine exactly as the doctor tells you.

Special Diet

Drink water often during the day.
Avoid drinks with caffeine (like coffee and soda) as they can make you pee more.
Your doctor may tell you to limit salt or follow a low-sodium diet to reduce urine output.

Special Precautions and Considerations

Do not skip your medicine.
Always carry water with you.
Let your doctor know if you are urinating more than usual or feeling very thirsty.
Avoid becoming dehydrated, especially in hot weather or when you are sick.
Wear a medical ID bracelet so others know you have DI in an emergency.
Be cautious with over-the-counter medications. Ask your doctor before using any new medication.

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse

Call the nurse if you:

Feel more tired than usual
Notice you're urinating more or less than normal
Have a headache or feel dizzy
Have trouble sleeping due to frequent urination

When to Go to the Emergency Room (Call 911)

Go to the ER if you:

Feel very confused or dizzy
Cannot stop vomiting or have diarrhea and can't keep fluids down
Are too weak to stand
Show signs of severe dehydration like very dry mouth, sunken eyes, or fast heartbeat

PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT

(Patient should choose one answer: True or False) Please correct all False statements.

True or False: Diabetes Insipidus is the same as diabetes that affects blood sugar.
True or False: A person with DI pees more than normal.
True or False: Feeling very thirsty is a sign of Diabetes Insipidus.
True or False: The body needs a hormone called vasopressin to hold on to water.
True or False: Diabetes Insipidus is caused by eating too much sugar.
True or False: Desmopressin is a medicine that helps treat DI.
True or False: You should skip your medicine if you feel fine.
True or False: It’s important to drink plenty of water with DI.
True or False: It’s okay to stop your medicine if you’re not peeing a lot.
True or False: Dry mouth and dizziness could mean you're dehydrated.
True or False: People with DI should avoid drinks with caffeine.
True or False: You can take any over-the-counter medicine without asking your doctor.
True or False: Wearing a medical ID bracelet can help in emergencies.
True or False: Your kidneys help control how much water your body keeps.
True or False: DI can sometimes be caused by brain injury or tumors.
True or False: If you're too weak to stand, you should call your home nurse.
True or False: You should carry water with you when you go out.
True or False: DI makes you pee less than usual.
True or False: If you’re vomiting a lot and can’t keep fluids down, go to the ER.
True or False: It's safe to stop your medicine as soon as you feel better.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you noticed excessive thirst or urinating much more often than usual, especially at night?

Activity Impact/SAFETY:

Do frequent bathroom trips interfere with your daily activities, work, or sleep, and how do you manage them safely?

Treatment Adherence:

Are you taking your prescribed medications (like desmopressin) exactly as directed and following your fluid intake guidelines?

Preventive Measures:

Are you monitoring your fluid intake, watching for signs of dehydration, and reporting sudden changes in thirst or urine output to your healthcare provider?