Informations of Uremia

What is uremia?

Uremia is a state in which the blood urea nitrogen level, an indicator of nitrogen waste products, is elevated. In uremia, the kidneys’ failure to filter nitrogen waste properly leads to excessively high levels of nitrogen wastes in the bloodstream. Uremia is life-threatening because too much nitrogen in the blood is toxic to the body. Symptoms of uremia include confusion, loss of consciousness, low urine production, dry mouth, fatigue, weakness, pale skin or pallor, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), edema (swelling), and excessive thirst. Uremia may also be painful.

Uremia is reversible if treated quickly; however, permanent damage to the kidneys may occur. Kidney failure may also result from the underlying processes that cause uremia.

Treatment for uremia frequently requires hospitalization. It begins with treating the cause of the kidney injury so that nitrogen waste will not continue to build up in the blood. Treatment may require dialysis, which filters the waste out of the blood. Fluid therapy, blood transfusions, and blood pressure medications may also be administered. Ongoing treatment after the acute symptoms of uremia have been addressed may include medication, dialysis, or dietary modification.
General symptoms of uremia

Some of the symptoms of uremia may be generalized. These are serious symptoms, and when present with other symptoms of uremia, should be evaluated in a medical setting.

General symptoms of uremia include:

• Abdominal pain
• Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
• Dry mouth and nose
• Edema (swelling)
• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Pale skin or pallor
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• Weakness (loss of strength)

In some cases, uremia can be life threatening. if you, or someone you are with,
have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
• Low urine output
• Renal causes of uremia
• Uremia may arise from any condition that damages the kidney including:
• Certain medications, such as high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or intravenous contrast material
• Injury to the kidney
• Kidney damage from hypertension or diabetes
• Kidney disease (includes any type of kidney problem, such as kidney stones, kidney failure and kidney anomalies)
• Renal artery embolism or occlusion (blockage of blood flow to the kidney)
• Surgery

Other causes of uremia

Uremia may also arise from a number of other conditions that cause low blood volume or decreased blood flow including:

• Burns
• Congestive heart failure (deterioration of the heart’s ability to pump blood)
• Dehydration (loss of body fluids and electrolytes, which can be life threatening when severe and untreated)
• Excessive bleeding
• Excessive diarrhea
• Excessive vomiting
• Shock

What are the risk factors for uremia?

• A number of factors increase the risk of developing uremia. Not all people with risk factors will get uremia. Risk factors include:
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Recent infection
• Recent injury
• Recent surgery
• Taking certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or intravenous contrast material