When we hear the word 'diabetes', we think of sugar disease, right? But did you know that there are two diseases called 'diabetes' that have nothing to do with each other? Only the names of these two are similar. The symptoms, causes, and treatments are completely different. Because of this, sometimes these two names can get confused. So today, let's talk about these two diseases to distinguish them properly and identify them.
Simply put, what is the difference between these two diseases?
Although these two diseases have the same name, the way they affect the body is completely different. Let's see how.
Diabetes Mellitus - Diabetes Mellitus
We all know this disease as 'diabetes' or 'sugar disease'. Medically, we call it Diabetes Mellitus . In this condition, the hormone insulin produced by our pancreas is not enough or the body's cells do not respond to it properly. The main function of insulin is to enter the sugar, which is glucose, from the food we eat, into the cells for energy. So when insulin stops working properly, the blood sugar level rises dangerously.
Diabetes Insipidus - The Diabetes That Most People Don't Know About
This is a very rare condition that many people have not heard of. It has nothing to do with diabetes. Diabetes Insipidus is an uncontrolled excessive urine output from our kidneys. Normally, a healthy person excretes about 1-2 liters of urine per day, while someone with this disease can excrete 3 to 20 liters per day. Imagine that amount! Most of this is water. So it is not surprising that when so much fluid is excreted from the body, excessive thirst occurs. This is caused by a problem with a hormone called vasopressin, which is secreted by the brain.
Similarities and differences in symptoms
The reason for the confusion is that some of the symptoms of both these diseases are similar. But the causes of those symptoms are completely different. Let's understand that from this table.
| Symptom | Diabetes Mellitus | Diabetes Insipidus |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive thirst | The blood glucose (sugar) level is high. The body asks for more water to flush out this excess sugar through urine. | Since excess water is excreted from the body through urine, the body constantly needs water to prevent dehydration. |
| Excessive fatigue | When blood sugar levels are high or low, the body cannot produce the energy it needs, which makes you feel tired. | Dehydration caused by excessive urination and the loss of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium from the body can cause extreme fatigue. |
| Blurred vision | High blood sugar levels can affect the lens of the eye and cause temporary blurred vision. | Prolonged dehydration in the body can cause dry eyes and affect vision. |
The most important thing is to find out exactly what the cause is if you have both of these symptoms. You should definitely see a doctor for that.
How do you distinguish and identify these two diseases?
A doctor uses various tests to differentiate and diagnose these two diseases.
Diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus:
There are several main blood tests to diagnose this.
- Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): A blood test done after fasting for at least 8 hours.
- HbA1c test: This gives an idea of your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. This does not require fasting.
Based on the results of these tests, your doctor will determine whether you have diabetes or prediabetes.
Diagnosing Diabetes Insipidus:
This is a bit complicated to diagnose. Several tests are performed to do so.
- Blood tests: This tests your blood sodium levels, not sugar levels. Dehydration can increase sodium levels.
- Urinalysis: This tests how concentrated or dilute/watery your urine is. You may also be asked to collect a 24-hour urine collection and measure the amount of urine you produce.
- Fluid Deprivation Test:This is a special test. Your doctor will tell you to stop drinking water for a certain amount of time. Then, your weight, blood pressure, and urine volume will be checked hourly for several hours. This is usually done in a hospital.
- MRI scan: An MRI cannot tell for sure if you have this disease. However, it can check for any problems (such as a tumor or infection) in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain that could be causing it.
What are the treatment options?
The good news is that while neither of these diseases can be completely cured, they can be managed very well and lead a normal life.
Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus
Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the primary goal of treatment is to control blood sugar levels.
- Medication: Insulin injections or other pills prescribed by your doctor.
- Lifestyle: It is essential to follow a healthy diet , exercise regularly , and control body weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
- Regular check-ups: It is very important to see your doctor and have regular check-ups.
Treatment for Diabetes Insipidus
The treatment depends on which type of Diabetes Insipidus you have.
- Central DI: This is caused by a decrease in the production of the hormone Vasopressin in the brain. The treatment for this is a synthetic hormone similar to that hormone, called Desmopressin . It comes as a nasal spray, pill, or injection.
- Nephrogenic DI: In this case, the brain produces the hormone, but the kidneys do not respond to it. Medications such as diuretics are given to control the symptoms.
- Dipsogenic DI: This is a problem with the part of the brain that controls thirst, so you don't feel thirsty even though you're losing water. Although there's no specific treatment for this, doctors recommend inducing thirst by sucking on ice cubes or sour candy.
- Gestational DI: This is a condition that can occur during pregnancy. It often goes away completely after the baby is born.
Take-Home Message
- Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus are two completely different diseases, despite having similar names.
- Mellitus is a disease associated with high blood sugar (glucose). Insipidus is a hormonal problem associated with excessive water loss from the kidneys.
- Although symptoms such as excessive thirst and excessive urination are common to both conditions, the causes are different.
- If you have symptoms like these, don't make decisions based on guesswork, but definitely see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis.
- Both of these diseases can be successfully controlled and lead a healthy life with proper treatment and lifestyle changes.
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