Glossary
Aldosterone: An adrenal hormone that regulates the body's sodium, chloride and potassium.Diabetes insipidus: A rare condition characterized by increased urine production.
Diabetes mellitus: A group of disorders in which there is a defect in the transfer of glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells, leading to abnormally high levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
Diuretics: Drugs which help in increasing urine output. These include (i) Thiazide diuretics (chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide, methylclothiazide), (ii) Loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide, ethacrynate), (iii) Potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), (iv) Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide, methazolamide), and (iv) Osmotic diuretics (glycerin, mannitol, isosorbide, urea).
Ectopic ACTH-secreting tumor: Ectopic tumors are those that occur at abnormal places or positions. These types of ACTH-secreting tumors can occur in the lungs, pancreas, thyroid or thymus gland.
Hyperaldosteronism, primary: This condition is also called primary aldosteronism or Conn’s syndrome, which is characterized by excessive production of the hormone aldosterone from the adrenal glands. One of the symptoms is excessive urination or polyuria.
Myeloma: A cancer arising from plasma cells, a type of white blood cell (WBC) which is made in the bone marrow.
Polyuria: Excessive urination.
Postural hypotension: Unusually low blood pressure that occurs after suddenly standing or sitting up.
Psychogenic: Originating in the mind; also, pertaining to the development of the mind.
Psychosis: Mental disturbance of serious magnitude that may be characterized by loss of contact with reality. Delusions and hallucinations are often present.
Vasopressin: This is a hormone that causes retention of urine (antidiuresis); thus, it is also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH). It is secreted by the posterior pituitary gland of most mammals, including humans.
