Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is due to lack or diminution of the anti-diuretic hormone normally produced by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Symptoms are extreme thirst and the passing of large volumes of urine. The condition may be hereditary or due to some pathological process such as inflammation or a tumour involving the base of the brain. It is relatively rare and not related to the more common form of diabetes (mellitus).