aetiology

Last reviewed 10/2022

Hypothalamic-pituitary:

  • impaired production / release of anti-diuretic hormone i.e. cranial diabetes insipidus

Renal:

  • inability to respond to ADH:
    • nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
    • Fanconi's syndrome
  • inability to maintain renal medullary hyperosmolarity:
    • chronic renal failure
    • hydronephrosis
    • lithium toxicity
    • hypokalaemia
    • hypercalcaemia - nephrocalcinosis
    • renal papillary necrosis - e.g. analgesic nephropathy from aspirin, phenacetin
  • increased solute load per nephron:
    • diabetes mellitus
    • chronic renal failure

Other:

  • compulsive water drinking
  • paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia