Uremia is a syndrome caused by the accumulation of urea in the blood, a toxic substance produced in the liver after the digestion of proteins, which is normally filtered through the kidneys. Generally, the excess of urea that can cause uremia occurs when the kidneys suffer from insufficiency, being unable to filter the blood as it should.
However, in healthy people, the level of blood urea may also be slightly increased due to several factors, such as eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, body hydration and how the body metabolizes, not necessarily meaning that there is a kidney disease.
Kidney insufficiency is caused by injuries due to acute or chronic diseases that affect these organs such as high blood pressure, diabetes, dehydration, serious infections, stroke, alcoholism or drug use. Understand better what kidney failure is, its symptoms and treatment.
Blood urea level considered normal:
- From 10 to 40 mg / dl
Increased urea level in blood:
- Values greater than 40 mg / dl
Symptoms of uremia
Excess urea is toxic to the body, and it reaches the circulation and various organs such as brain, heart, muscles and lungs. Thus, the symptoms of uremia are:
- Nauseation and vomiting;
- Weakness;
- Cough, shortness of breath;
- Palpitations;
- Changes in blood clotting;
- Headache;
- Somnolence;
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In addition to excess urea, renal failure also causes accumulation of fluid and other electrolytes in the blood, such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, which can further aggravate the symptoms of uremia.
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 ureic nitrogen test, which are high. In addition to altered urea examinations, uremia is also associated with the presence of renal failure and the symptoms mentioned. Understand better what the urea test means.
Other blood tests, such as creatinine, sodium, potassium, magnesium, or urine, help detect the presence of kidney changes and define the diagnosis of kidney failure.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment for uremia is done through hemodialysis, which has the ability to filter blood similar to a normal kidney. Patients with renal impairment generally require 3 hemodialysis sessions per week. Learn 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, nutritionist's guidelines on what diet should be in kidney failure:
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