Difference between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus

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Arpita Srivastava

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The difference between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus is essential to determine the treatment for both types of diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that determines how the human body turns food into energy.

  • The difference between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus helps us understand the symptoms of the disease.
  • Most commonly, the food we eat is turned into glucose or sugar, which the body uses as energy.
  • A hormone called insulin, released by the pancreas, helps glucose get into the cells of our bodies.
  • If the pancreas cannot release sufficient insulin, it results in the rise of glucose levels in the blood.
  • This condition of rise in glucose level is called Diabetes Mellitus or simply Diabetes. 
  • Diabetes Insipidus is a condition when our human body releases large amounts of urine.
  • People with Diabetes can observe common symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination and extreme hunger.
  • Other symptoms include unexplained weight loss, ketones in urine, fatigue, irritability, and blurred vision. 
  • Overweight, physical inactivity, genes and family history are causes of diabetes.

Key Terms: Difference between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes, Sugar, Glucose, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Insulin, Hormone, Pancreas


Diabetes Mellitus

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Diabetes Mellitus is a type of disease which results in the rise of blood sugar levels. The problem of diabetes arises when the pancreas does not create enough amount of insulin.

  • Diabetes Mellitus is also known as diabetes.
  • The problem also arises when the cells become unresponsive to the hormone effects.
  • Polyuria, thirst and weight loss are the most common symptoms of diabetes.
  • Fatigue, blurred vision, and genital itching are other non-specific symptoms of diabetes mellitus.
  • Kidney failure and amputations are the causes of this disease.
  • If the disease is left untreated, it can lead to many complications.

Diabetes Mellitus

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Types of Diabetes

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Diabetes occurs in four forms, namely, Prediabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes. The below section discusses in detail about each type of diabetes.

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition when the blood glucose levels are higher than usual but not so high when compared to Diabetes. 

Type I Diabetes

Type I Diabetes is insulin-dependent diabetes. It is an auto-immune condition in which the pancreas is damaged, resulting in insulin production at low levels and blood glucose at high levels.

  • This condition is fatal, as it can damage the blood vessels of the eyes and kidneys.
  • People suffering from Type 1 Diabetes usually inject insulin regularly into the fatty tissue just under the outer layer of the skin.
  • Insulin is designed in the form of syringes and insulin pens. 

Type II Diabetes

Type II Diabetes is non-insulin-dependent and is observed mostly in people suffering from obesity. In this condition, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar levels.

  • Leading a healthy life, having a good diet, exercising, and keeping a healthy weight are the only measures to keep Type II in control. 

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes is found in obese women who experience late pregnancy. This diabetes occurs when the pregnancy causes insulin resistance. Their overweight or obese is linked to gestational diabetes.

  • Gestational diabetes, if untreated or neglected, can cause premature birth and stillbirth. 

Diabetes Insipidus

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Diabetes Insipidus is a condition in which the kidney produces abnormally large volumes of dilute and odourless urine. Patients with diabetes insipidus can pass 20 litres of urine per day.

  • As a result, it becomes inevitable for the patient to drink large amounts of fluid.
  • Common symptoms found in patients with Diabetes of Insipidus include thirst, nausea, dry skin, fatigue, and dizziness.
  • Polyuria and polydipsia are the two most common symptoms of the disease.
  • In most severe cases, an individual can pee for 20 litres a day.
  • Vasopressin (AVP), also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH), helps in the regulation of fluid in the body.

Diabetes Insipidus 


Types of Diabetes Insipidus

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Diabetes Insipidus occur in four types

Central

Central condition is caused by damage to the pituitary gland, which results in the abnormal production of a hormone called vasopressin. This, in turn, results in the kidneys removing too much fluid from the body, leading to an increase in urination.

Nephrogenic

Nephrogenic conditions are caused by gene mutation or inherited gene changes, which can lead to the kidneys not working normally. The most common symptoms found in Nephrogenic patients are- low potassium and calcium levels in the blood. 

Dipsogenic

Dipsogenic condition is caused by a defect in the thirst mechanism located in the brain’s hypothalamus, which increases thirst, liquid intake of a person, and the passage of urine. 

Gestational

Gestational is found most commonly in pregnancy. 


Differences between Diabetes Insipidus and Diabetes Mellitus 

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Both Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus show some common symptoms. For this reason, many people mistake that these conditions are related to each other.

  • Both of these conditions give rise to different health problems and they have various treatments in hospitals. 
  • The common difference between diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus are as follows:

Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes Mellitus

It is caused due to faults like tumours or injury in the hypothalamus in the brain. 

It is caused owing to some defects in the pancreas.

Anti-Diuretic Hormone deficiency is the major region

Deficiency (low production) of the insulin hormone is the main reason

An increase in blood glucose levels does not occur, and there is no presence of glucose in urine. 

An increase in Blood glucose level is found and it is present in urine.

The urine is diluted and odourless.

No change is found in the concentration of urine. 

The condition results in dehydration in the form of excessive urination. 

Urination is comparatively lesser than diabetes insipidus.

No increase in blood cholesterol is found

Increase Blood cholesterol is found.

No changes in eating patterns are found.

Excessive hunger is seen.

Ketone bodies are not found in the urine

Ketone bodies are found in urine.

The incidence rate is 3 in 100,000.

The incidence rate is 770 in 100,000

The symptoms such as excessive urination and thirst with headaches are found

The symptoms such as high blood sugar, increased thirst, and hunger, etc are found.

There is no cure for this condition

There is no cure for this condition


Things to Remember

  • The difference between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus helps determine how the two diseases are different in terms of symptoms.
  • It can tested by fluid deprivation test and blood test.
  • Fibre-rich food and eating carbs help in the treatment of the disease.
  • Change of lifestyle and doing medications also help in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus.
  • People suffering from diabetes must avoid saturated and trans fat food.

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Sample Questions

Ques. What type of hormone treatment is used for Diabetes Insipidus? (2 marks)

Ans. An artificial hormone called desmopressin is used to treat diabetes insipidus. This hormone increases water permeability in renal tubular cells, decreases the volume of urine, and increases urine concentration. 

  • The medication will replace the antidiuretic hormone (ADH)  that was missing in the cells.
  • It will reduce the amount and frequency of urine cycle.

Ques. What are the three major signs of Diabetes Mellitus? (3 marks)

Ans. The three major signs of Diabetes Mellitus are as follows:

  • Polyuria – Polyuria is a process that increase in urination cycle.
  • Polydipsia – Polydipsia is a process that increase in thirst cycle
  • Polyphagia – Polyphagia is a process that will increase your appetite.

Ques. How is Diabetes Mellitus diagnosed?  (3 marks)

Ans. There are three ways of diagonsing the Diabetes Mellitus which are as follows:

  • Blood Test: Blood test is used to check the sodium level in th blood of an individual.
  • Urinalysis: Urinalysis is the process of checking how diluted or concentrated an individual pee is.
  • Fluid deprivation test: The test is conducted to your blood pressure level along with your urine sample.

Ques. Are there any home remedies that can control diabetes? (2 marks)

Ans. Yes, consuming tender leaves decoction of Azadirachta Indica, tender leaves of Chamaecostus Cuspidatus, Soaked Fenugreek seeds, tender leaves decoction of Tinospora Cordifolia, etc, avoiding consumption of sweets, white polished rice, minimizing intake of salt, avoiding mental stress, going for walk, etc can help in controlling Diabetes. 

Ques. Why is it called Diabetes Insipidus? (2 marks)

Ans. If the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain, cannot produce sufficient Vasopressin hormone, Kidneys cannot make enough concentrated urine and too much water is passed away from the body. In some rare cases, the kidneys do not respond to AVP. This results in a specific form of Diabetes called Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus.

Ques. Is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus or Insipidus? (1 mark)

Ans. Diabetes Insipidus is not related to Diabetes Mellitus, either Type 1 or Type 2. It is caused by complications related to the Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) or its receptor and results in uncontrolled and frequent urination. 

Ques. What is the difference between the diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus? (5 marks)

Ans. The difference between the diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus are as follows:

Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes Mellitus

It is caused due to faults like tumours or injury in the hypothalamus in the brain. 

It is caused owing to some defects in the pancreas.

Anti-Diuretic Hormone deficiency is the major region

Deficiency (low production) of the insulin hormone is the main reason

An increase in blood glucose levels does not occur, and there is no presence of glucose in urine. 

An increase in Blood glucose level is found and it is present in urine.

The urine is diluted and odourless.

No change is found in the concentration of urine. 

The condition results in dehydration in the form of excessive urination. 

Urination is comparatively lesser than diabetes insipidus.

No increase in blood cholesterol is found

Increase Blood cholesterol is found.

Ques. Explain the types of diabetes? (4 marks)

Ans. The various types of diabetes are as follows: 

  • Pre-Diabetes: Pre-diabetes is a condition when the blood glucose levels are higher than usual but not so high when compared to Diabetes. 
  • Type I Diabetes​: Type I Diabetes is insulin-dependent diabetes. It is an auto-immune condition in which the pancreas is damaged, resulting in insulin production at low levels and blood glucose at high levels.
  • Type II Diabetes: Type II Diabetes is non-insulin-dependent and is observed mostly in people suffering from obesity. In this condition, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar levels.
  • Gestational Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes is found in obese women who experience late pregnancy. This diabetes occurs when the pregnancy causes insulin resistance. Their overweight or obese is linked to gestational diabetes.

Ques. What is Diabetes Mellitus? (3 marks)

Ans. Diabetes Mellitus is a type of disease which results in the rise of blood sugar levels. The problem of diabetes arises when the pancreas does not create enough amount of insulin.

  • Diabetes Mellitus is also known as diabetes.
  • The problem also arises when the cells become unresponsive to the hormone effects.
  • Polyuria, thirst and weight loss are the most common symptoms of diabetes.
  • Fatigue, blurred vision, and genital itching are other non-specific symptoms of diabetes mellitus.

Ques. Explain different types of diabetes insipidus? (4 marks)

Ans. The different types of diabetes insipidus are as follows:

  • Central: Central condition is caused by damage to the pituitary gland, which results in the abnormal production of a hormone called vasopressin. This, in turn, results in the kidneys removing too much fluid from the body, leading to an increase in urination.
  • Nephrogenic: Nephrogenic conditions are caused by gene mutation or inherited gene changes, which can lead to the kidneys not working normally. 
  • Dipsogenic: Dipsogenic condition is caused by a defect in the thirst mechanism located in the brain’s hypothalamus, which increases thirst, liquid intake of a person, and the passage of urine. 
  • Gestational: Gestational is found most commonly in pregnancy. 

Ques. Explain Diabetes Insipidus? (3 marks)

Ans. Diabetes Insipidus is a condition in which the kidney produces abnormally large volumes of dilute and odourless urine. Patients with diabetes insipidus can pass 20 litres of urine per day.

  • As a result, it becomes inevitable for the patient to drink large amounts of fluid.
  • Common symptoms found in patients with Diabetes of Insipidus include thirst, nausea, dry skin, fatigue, and dizziness.
  • Polyuria and polydipsia are the two most common symptoms of the disease.

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