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November 7, 2004

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Question from London, Middlesex, England:

Why does type 1 diabetes cause initial dehydration? What is the mechanism in my friend that is causing excessive urination?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

High sugar levels force the body to try to counterbalance osmotic load. When sugars are high, the kidneys try to excrete the excess and this comes out in the urine, along with salt (mostly sodium but also lots of other minerals directly or indirectly) and water. Thus, excess urination, night time urination and sometimes enuresis. Excess thirst is a normal response to the excess urination. The body gets into trouble when vomiting or other reasons prevent keeping up with these losses and thus dehydration ensues.

SB