If you’re drinking glass after glass of water and still feeling thirsty… or if you’re running to the bathroom all day and night - your body may be trying to tell you something.
While most people think of diabetes as a blood sugar issue, there’s another, lesser-known condition called Diabetes Insipidus. And no - it has nothing to do with sugar.
This condition is about your body losing too much water. Even if your blood sugar is perfectly normal, you may be feeling weak, dry, or constantly thirsty.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- What is diabetes insipidus in simple terms
- The symptoms of diabetes insipidus to watch out for
- What causes it
- Natural ways to support your body and stay in balance - using foods, herbs, and daily habits
Let’s start with what this condition actually is.
What Is Diabetes Insipidus?
Your body has a natural way of holding on to water. This is controlled by a hormone called vasopressin (or ADH). It tells your kidneys how much water to save and how much to let go through urine.
But in diabetes insipidus, this balance doesn’t work right. Your body either:
- Doesn’t make enough vasopressin, or
- Doesn’t respond to it properly
As a result, your kidneys remove too much water from your body. This leads to frequent urination and constant thirst, even if you’re drinking a lot.
Types of Diabetes Insipidus
There are different types, but all lead to water loss:
1. Central Diabetes Insipidus:
When the brain doesn’t make enough vasopressin. Often linked to head injuries or stress.
2. Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus:
When kidneys don’t listen to vasopressin, even if it’s made correctly.
3. Gestational Diabetes Insipidus:
Happens during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts.
4. Primary Polydipsia:
Not true diabetes insipidus - but happens when someone drinks too much water out of habit or stress.
Common Diabetes Insipidus Symptoms
If you notice these signs, your body may be telling you that it’s losing water faster than it should:
- Extreme thirst, especially for cold water
- Passing a lot of urine throughout the day
- Waking up at night to urinate
- Feeling tired, dizzy, or lightheaded
- Dry skin or lips
- Children may show signs like bedwetting or slow growth
Some people with this condition pass up to 15–20 liters of urine a day - that’s a clear sign something’s off.
What Causes Diabetes Insipidus?
This condition can be triggered by a few different things:
- Stress or trauma that affects hormone function
- Imbalance in the brain's signaling to the kidneys
- Excess fluid intake (in primary polydipsia)
- Kidney sensitivity issues
- Hormonal shifts (in pregnancy or menopause)
Even if the exact cause isn’t clear, the goal is to help the body hold on to water and stay balanced.
Natural Ways to Support Diabetes Insipidus
While there’s no "quick fix," there are natural ways to support your hydration, kidneys, and hormone balance.
Here’s how:
1. Stay Hydrated - But Don’t Overdo It
When your body loses more water, you need to drink more - but drinking too much too fast can also throw your balance off.
- Drink water throughout the day, in small sips
- Add a pinch of rock salt or lemon to your water to maintain minerals
- Use copper vessels to store water for better absorption
- Don’t drink huge amounts in one go - spread it out
2. Eat Water-Rich Fruits and Veggies
Instead of just drinking water, eat foods that naturally contain water and minerals:
- Cucumber
- Watermelon (in moderation)
- Lauki (bottle gourd)
- Coconut water
- Celery and leafy greens
These help hydrate your body gently and nourish your cells.
3. Support Your Kidneys with Natural Drinks
Give your kidneys some love by including hydrating and cleansing drinks:
- Barley water – Helps in cooling the system
- Amla juice – Strengthens kidneys and balances hormones
- Coriander water – Supports detox and fluid balance
- Jeera (cumin) water – Aids in digestion and hydration
- Tulsi tea – Helps manage stress and supports hormonal balance
Drink these on an empty stomach or in between meals.
4. Eat Foods That Nourish Hormonal Balance
Your hormones control a lot - including water balance. Supporting them through diet can help:
- Include healthy fats like A2 ghee or cold-pressed oils
- Add dry fruits like soaked raisins or figs (in small amounts)
- Use stone-ground flours and millets instead of refined grains
- Eat timely meals and avoid skipping them
Balanced meals help your brain, kidneys, and gut work better together.
5. Add Ayurvedic Herbs for Extra Support
Some herbs may help your body maintain balance and stay hydrated:
- Ashwagandha – Helps reduce stress, supports hormone balance
- Brahmi – Supports brain health and emotional calmness
- Moringa – Rich in nutrients that support kidneys and energy
- Amla powder – Great for the immune system and internal cooling
- Tulsi powder – Supports natural detox and hormonal function
You can take these herbs in powder form with warm water, or try combinations like Ashwagandha or Brahmi Ghee for better absorption.
6. Stay Cool - Internally and Externally
Too much heat in the body can worsen dehydration. Try to stay calm and cool:
- Avoid spicy, fried, and processed foods
- Use cooling herbs like coriander, fennel, or rose
- Sit in natural shade or breeze instead of air conditioning
- Practice calming yoga, breathing, or meditation daily
These small actions help your body hold on to water better.
How to Know You’re Improving
As you support your body naturally, you might notice:
- Less need to urinate frequently
- Feeling less thirsty all the time
- Better energy and focus
- No more dry mouth or cracked lips
- Calmness in body and mind
These are all signs that your fluid balance is improving.
Final Thoughts
Diabetes insipidus may be rare, but it’s very real. The constant thirst and bathroom visits are not just “in your head.” But here’s the good news: your body is wise - and with the right foods, hydration, herbs, and rest, it can come back into balance.
You don’t need complicated treatments. You just need to listen to your body, keep it cool, stay nourished, and support it with natural choices.
Start small. Drink water mindfully. Eat real foods. Add herbal support. And most importantly - trust your body’s ability to restore itself when given the right care.
