Case Study

Mrs. Sturgis

Anatomy .1

01/06/12

Case Study: Diabetes Insipidus

1. The mechanism fluid regulation is controlled through is intake and excretion of water and sodium. The craving of salt and the sensation of thirst are both mechanisms which help regulate body fluids by taking in substances, while urinating is a process which regulates body fluids through excretion. The kidneys are the most efficient regulators of fluid levels; they are capable of either conserving water or dispelling it. (Cooperman). They do this by either increasing the concentration of plasma or decreasing it, the higher concentration of plasma the higher lower the water concentration. The kidneys release or sustain water based on the excretion of ADH, anti-diuretic hormone, controlled by the hypothalamus. ADH controls the reabsorption of water by the cells; the more ADH in the body, the more water is reabsorbed by the cells. Therefore with less water going to the kidneys, the less water they have to excrete, and the less diluted the water. (Fluid and Electrolyte Balance).

2. For an average adult, around 150 pounds, drinking more than one gallon of water a day is considered excessive. Urinating excessively would be considered around 3.5 quarts per day for an average adult. (Robertson)

3. The four types of diabetes Insipidus are Central, Nephrogenic, Dipsogenic, and Gestational. Central DI is the most common type of DI, it occurs when the pituitary gland is damaged and therefore does not properly secrete ADH. This type of DI can be treated using synthetic hormone that is ingested. Nephrogenic DI occurs when the kidneys begin to improperly respond to ADH. This type of DI is often caused from drugs which damage the kidney and is treatable with medicine. Dipsogenic DI is caused by damage to the hypothalamus. This damage impairs the thirst mechanism by increased urine and decreases ADH. There is no known treatment for this type of DI. Lastly Gestational DI only occurs during pregnancy....