Thirst – Too much or too little (Polydipsia and Hypodipsia) Vasopressin and Angiotensin
Today’s post is about both drinking too much water and drinking too little water. Polydipsia (drinking too much water) is a known cause of death in autism and schizophrenia. A big part of the reason we talk about autism being a spectrum, is the pioneering work of an English Psychiatrist called Dr Lorna Wing. Wing outlived her daughter with severe autism, because her daughter Susie developed Polydipsia around the menopause and this caused the sodium level in her blood to fall to the point where her heart stopped beating and she died. Even though Mum was a (retired) doctor, the condition was not resolved; but Susie’s death should have been avoidable. Polydipsia is treatable and people should not be dying from it. Hypodipsia (drinking too little water) can occur in older people, who are neglected in care homes and for a wide range of other reasons. People with autism treated by the diuretic Bumetanide are at risk of Hypodipsia and indeed this accounts for some...