What is the difference between diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus? What are the characteristic signs of diabetes insipidus?
Diabetes mellitus is the disease caused by deficient insulin secretion by the pancreas or by impaired capturing of this hormone by the cells. Diabetes insipidus is the disease caused by deficient ADH secretion by the pituitary (hypophysis) or also by impaired sensitivity of the kidneys to this hormone. In diabetes insipidus the blood lacks ADH and so tubular resorption of water in the kidneys is reduced and a great volume of urine is produced. The patient urinates a lot and many times a day, a sign also accompanied by polydipsia (increased thirst and exaggerated ingestion of water) and sometimes by dehydration.
