Difference Between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes Mellitus vs Diabetes Insipidus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Diabetes affects people worldwide, from type 1 and type 2 to gestational diabetes. All of these are forms of diabetes mellitus. However, there is another form of diabetes known as diabetes insipidus, which is a rare condition. Let us explore the differences between diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus based on multiple parameters.
What are Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus?
Diabetes mellitus is a common condition that affects people worldwide. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin to control the glucose level in the blood.
On the other hand, diabetes insipidus is a rare condition that has no connection with blood sugar or the pancreas. It occurs when your kidneys start producing extra urine. This condition makes people urinate 3 to 20 quarts a day, which is excessive compared to the normal range of 1 to 2 quarts a day. This increased loss of water from your body makes you feel thirsty.
What are the Differences Between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus?
See the table below, which highlights the differences between diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus:
| Parameters | Diabetes Mellitus | Diabetes Insipidus |
| Symptoms | You may feel tired due to the increased or decreased blood sugar levels. In addition, you can also feel extreme thirst because of hyperglycemia-induced osmotic diuresis. | You may feel tired because of the loss of electrolytes flushed out through your urine. In addition, it makes you thirsty due to the loss of these bodily fluids. |
| Causes | Diabetes Mellitus is caused by difficulties with insulin that lead to high blood sugar. Damage to the immune system and inability to respond to insulin are some consequences of this. | Issues with vasopressin are one of the major causes of diabetes insipidus. Damage to the endocrine system parts and kidneys, kidney cysts, and pregnancy can also cause this condition. |
| Health Impact | Feeling dizzy or light-headed, faint, and difficulty performing simple mental tasks are some of the health complications of diabetes mellitus. | Unchecked diabetes insipidus may lead to poor health conditions like dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. |
| Diagnosis | Healthcare professionals use blood tests like the fasting glucose test or glycated haemoglobin test to diagnose diabetes mellitus. | The diagnosis procedure of diabetes insipidus includes a blood test to measure sodium levels, urinalysis, and a fluid deprivation test. |
Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus
Although the goals of diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus treatment are to restore blood sugar, both procedures differ. Doctors recommend that people apply insulin to keep their blood sugar levels in the normal range for Type 1 DM and in advanced Type 2 DM and use metformin to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. The treatment process also includes weight management, implementing a varied pattern of diet, and regular physical exercise.
On the other hand, doctors primarily try to apply desmopressin to treat diabetes insipidus. It is a version of vasopressin, applied through injection, tablet, and nasal sprays. Reduced salt consumption and protein intake are also a part of this treatment.
Diabetes mellitus is a common health condition that results in enough insulin production in the body, while diabetes insipidus results in hormonal problems that cause improper function of the kidneys in balancing water in the body. You may consult a doctor or healthcare professional if you find any of the above-mentioned symptoms and follow the treatment process.
Also Read:
→ Difference Between Diagnosis and Prognosis
→ Difference Between Disease, Disorder, and Syndrome
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