Uraemia is a syndrome caused by the accumulation of urea, mainly, and other ions in the blood, which are toxic substances produced in the liver after digestion of proteins, which are normally filtered through the kidneys. Generally, the excess of urea that can cause uremia occurs when the kidneys fail, making them unable to filter the blood as they should.
However, in healthy people, the level of urea in the blood may also be slightly increased due to several factors, such as eating habits, physical inactivity, body hydration and the way the body performs metabolism, which does not necessarily mean that there is a kidney disease.
Kidney failure is caused by injuries due to acute or chronic diseases that affect these organs, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, dehydration, serious infections, stroke by accidents, alcoholism or drug use. Better understand what kidney failure is, its symptoms and treatment.
Blood urea level considered normal:
- From 10 to 40 mg / dl
Blood urea level considered critical:
- Values greater than 200 mg / dl
Uremia symptoms
Excess urea is toxic to the body and affects circulation and various organs, such as the brain, heart, muscles and lungs. Thus, the symptoms of uremia are:
- Sickness and vomiting; Weakness; Cough, shortness of breath; Palpitations; Changes in blood clotting; Headache; Drowsiness; Coma.
In addition to excess urea, kidney failure also causes accumulation of fluid and other electrolytes in the blood, such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, which can further aggravate uremia symptoms.
How to diagnose
The diagnosis of uremia is made by the general practitioner or nephrologist, through the direct measurement of urea in the blood, or indirectly, with the urea nitrogen test, which are high. In addition to altered urea tests, uremia is also associated with the presence of renal failure and the symptoms mentioned. Better understand what the urea test means.
Other blood tests, such as creatinine, sodium, potassium, magnesium, or urine, help to detect the presence of changes in the kidneys and define the diagnosis of kidney failure.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for uremia is done through hemodialysis, which has the ability to filter blood similar to a normal kidney. Patients with kidney failure generally need 3 hemodialysis sessions per week. Find out how hemodialysis is done.
In addition, it is important to maintain correct habits to avoid worsening kidney failure, such as exercising, drinking the amount of water recommended by the nephrologist and having a balanced diet.
See, in the following video, guidelines from the nutritionist on what the diet should be in kidney failure:
