Formerly known as diabetes insipidus, the condition caused confusion amongst hospital staff and led to a number of patients dying from dehydration.
The disease was frequently mistaken by medical staff as diabetes insipidus, commonly known as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, even though the condition is not linked to sugar levels or insulin.
Professor Miles Levy, a leading Endocrinologist from the University of Leicester was one of the experts who worked on the rename of the condition to Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (AVP-D).
The term diabetes has been dropped from the name, to avoid confusing terminology and reduce further harm to patients.
AVP-D is linked to the Pituitary gland at the back of the brain and its inability to produce hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP), which helps the body to conserve water and regulate urine production.
For those affected by the disease, the symptoms include passing huge volumes of pale urine and a constant feeling of dehydration.
Untreated symptoms lead to increased levels of sodium that lead to organ failure and, in some cases, death.
Half of consultants surveyed in the UK said they have concerns over patient safety regarding diabetes insipidus and half said they had seen patients suffer due to a lack of understanding of the disease.
Levy and his peers are currently working to update medical journals and roll out training videos for NHS staff.
There will be a launch on National Water Day on the 22nd of March, to announce the renaming of this condition and raise awareness to encourage more patients to drink water.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineExperts rename rare disease
Short HeadlineMedical experts in the UK and around the world are renaming a rare condition.
Standfirst"NHS is failing patients with rare condition as hospital deaths from dehydration were easily preventable."
Formerly known as diabetes insipidus, the condition caused confusion amongst hospital staff and led to a number of patients dying from dehydration.
The disease was frequently mistaken by medical staff as diabetes insipidus, commonly known as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, even though the condition is not linked to sugar levels or insulin.
Professor Miles Levy, a leading Endocrinologist from the University of Leicester was one of the experts who worked on the rename of the condition to Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (AVP-D).
The term diabetes has been dropped from the name, to avoid confusing terminology and reduce further harm to patients.
AVP-D is linked to the Pituitary gland at the back of the brain and its inability to produce hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP), which helps the body to conserve water and regulate urine production.
For those affected by the disease, the symptoms include passing huge volumes of pale urine and a constant feeling of dehydration.
Untreated symptoms lead to increased levels of sodium that lead to organ failure and, in some cases, death.
Half of consultants surveyed in the UK said they have concerns over patient safety regarding diabetes insipidus and half said they had seen patients suffer due to a lack of understanding of the disease.
Levy and his peers are currently working to update medical journals and roll out training videos for NHS staff.
There will be a launch on National Water Day on the 22nd of March, to announce the renaming of this condition and raise awareness to encourage more patients to drink water.
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