Answers to a Puzzling Question

So, I decided for this post that I would do a question answer format. I was not sure what questions my readers might have.So, I asked some of them and here are my answers to the first question that I recieved. I hope that you find it helpful! And feel free to ask me any further questions that you have. 

 The first question posed was: "What is the easiest and shortest way to describe DI to someone?" 
    Answer: I have found that it depends a lot on the situation surrounding the question, and have also found that there are numerous ways to describe and define Diabetes Insipidus. I will only give a couple examples, and may give more in later posts. 

A.  If asked in passing I do not go into the specifics of DI. Most of the time the simplest way to explain it is to say,

•  "The doctors found out that I have a hormone deficiency that causes my body to dehydrate itself. The doctors have put me on a hormone replacement that regulates how my body uses water."

   
B.  If the person has more time and wants a more detailed description, I would tell them that

•  "I have a form of Diabetes Insipidus that is cause by my body not producing enough of a hormone called Vasopressin. Basically,Vasopressin controls how the body uses water (although it does a lot more than that). I take a hormone replacement, DDAVP, and without it my body will dehydrate itself." 

 C.  If they do not understand, are still interested, and want to know more I sometimes will continue with information as follows: (This explanation is assuming that they know what type 1 Diabetes is. But be careful. This explanation will either cause greater confusion or will prove very helpful in understanding what DI is. In short, use this with caution. Also be aware that this explanation can help people understand that Diabetes Insipidus ,although similar in some aspects, is NOT Diabetes Mellitus) 

•  "Type 1 Diabetes is caused when the body does not produce enough - if any- of the hormone Insulin and is treated with Insulin injected and blood sugar (glucose) levels being closely monitored. Similarly, in Central Diabetes Insipidus the body does not produce enough of the hormone Vasopressin and must be treated with a hormone replacement called DDAVP with sodium levels being monitored (although this has to be done through blood work - there is no sodium monitor available). In short, Diabetes Insipidus has to do with sodium levels and the hormone Vasopressin, and Type 1 Diabetes has to do with blood sugar (glucose) levels and the hormone Insulin. Neither of them can be avoided or cured."

In my next post I will answer the second question that I received,  "What values or insights have you gained from having DI?"

Tattoo Tracks Sodium via an iPhone

Instead of having to check my blood sugar, I have to have monthly blood work done to keep tabs on my sodium levels. A while back I was browsing around the internet to see if there was any such thing as a sodium monitor and I ran across this article:  Tattoo Tracks Sodium and Glucose via an iPhone | MIT Technology Review

I actually got in contact with the lead scientist that is heading up this research and shared my story with her. Here is part of her reply to my e-mail: "Thank you so much for your email.... I am glad you reached out because we are particularly interested in the potential for the technology to help people struggling with Diabetes Insipidus. Emails like yours help us understand (and convince others) the critical need."

When I e-mailed her I was not exactly expecting a reply but was quite pleased to hear back from her. 

She also encouraged me to follow their progress at this link: www.neu.edu/nanosensors