Timely diagnosis and laboratory tests can prevent the development of many unwanted pathologies in the body. At the same time, the determination of the level of urea in the blood makes it possible to identify and prevent some malignant cell transformations. Therefore, the analysis of chemical hematological parameters and components is often a vital stage in the life of every person.
What does the level of this substance in liquid connective tissue indicate
The products that remain in the process of breaking down proteins are called urea in the blood. The analysis obtained as a result of the study makes it possible to judge the ability of the urinary system to get rid of substances unnecessary to the body.
Uric acid and urea: similarities and differences
Many people confuse these concepts. Despite the fact that these indicators belong to the same group of residual nitrogen, inbiochemical studies, they are considered as completely different criteria. This is due to the fact that they indicate different violations.
Blood tests to determine the amount of uric acid are usually prescribed in a complex of studies when diagnosing a number of diseases. Deviations from the norm may indicate problems with the liver or muscle tissue.
Creatinine and urea in the blood, determined by biochemical studies, are analyzed to detect the amount of metabolic products of the main components present in the body. The deviation of these indicators up or down indicates the development of hidden pathologies.
Norm of urea in the blood
The level of basic biochemical parameters of liquid connective tissue may fluctuate due to some physiological changes in the body. So, for example, the daily diet of the patient and his physical activity affect the indicators of urea. With a deficiency of protein foods in the diet, the level of this substance is significantly reduced. At the same time, increased urea in the blood is detected with an excess of protein compounds.
Normally, in he althy adults, this indicator in the blood is in the range of 2.5 - 8.3 mmol / liter, and in daily urine -20.0 - 35.0 g / day (333.6 - 587, 7 mmol/day).
Changes in urea levels: physiological causes
The range of normal levels of urea in the blood is quite wide. It is associated with many physiological states of the body.and primarily depends on the age of the patient.
In adolescence and during puberty, the rate of protein breakdown and the output of metabolic products may be slightly lower than in adults. Throughout life, the concentration of urea in the body can be approximately the same range, but closer to old age, their usual values increase slightly.
Urea levels can also fluctuate throughout the day. Here, the factors that determine the value of this criterion and are not related to various pathologies are:
- psycho-emotional states and stressful situations;
- physical overload;
- eating protein-rich foods.
Often, the quantitative values of the level of this indicator are affected by the use of certain drugs, which also increase the content of urea in the blood. However, these factors do not have a significant impact and do not require medical intervention. In this case, the body is able to cope with the resulting imbalance on its own.
Deviations from the norm: causes
Elevated blood urea can be detected when:
- various inflammatory and infectious diseases of the kidneys: pyelonephritis, glomeluronephritis, tuberculosis, amyloidosis, renal failure and arterial hypertension;
- impaired blood supply to the kidneys or internal bleeding;
- obstruction of the ureteral tubes or the formation of obstructions to the exit of urine into the external environment;
- increased levels of protein breakdownconnections;
- dehydration;
- vascular insufficiency;
- shock states of the body.
When Pregnant
It is known that urea in the blood of women is much lower than that of men. These figures decrease even more during pregnancy. Special control of urea is necessary in cases where the history of the expectant mother is aggravated by such disorders as pyelonephritis, nephrolithiasis and diabetes mellitus. In such situations, there is a high risk of developing kidney failure.
Symptoms of abnormality
Changes in blood test values (urea, creatinine, uric acid and other parameters of protein breakdown products) are manifested by a number of symptoms, namely:
- pallor, lethargy, drowsiness or malaise;
- appearance of brittle hair and nails;
- dry skin;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- surges in blood pressure;
- pain and aching joints;
- anemia;
- blood in urine;
- general weakness.
In these cases, it is extremely important to identify and exclude the true causes of increased urea in the blood, because at this moment, in addition to the deterioration of the general condition, ammonia intoxication occurs. Because of this, the skin, mucous membranes and excreted sweat acquire an unpleasant smell of urine.
In addition, pathological conditions such as:
- renal failure resulting fromviolations of the excretory function of the kidneys or other pathological phenomena (for example, renal tuberculosis, amyloidosis, pyelo- or glomerulonephritis);
- urinary disorders resulting from the development of diseases such as urolithiasis, prostatitis or neoplasms in the genitourinary system;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system, leading to insufficient blood flow to the kidneys and its incomplete purification;
- endocrine ailments that lead to kidney failure;
- violations of metabolic processes in the body, provoking the development of thyroid dysfunction and, as a result, causing failure of the kidneys;
- blood diseases that increase protein catabolism.
An increase in the content of urea in the blood provokes malnutrition of tissues in the body. In severe cases of intoxication and tissue starvation, coma may occur.
Need for treatment: consequences
Ignoring the manifestations of clinical symptoms of an imbalance that has appeared in the body can lead to the gradual death of brain cells and irreversible disruption of the central nervous system. In addition, such processes lead to a number of dangerous pathological conditions.
The consequences of the harmful effects of urea accumulated in the body are most often development:
- hematological diseases (leukemia, leukemia, malignant anemia, hemolytic jaundice);
- severe infections, including intestinal (dysentery,typhoid, cholera);
- intestinal diseases (obstruction, peritonitis, thrombosis);
- prostate tumors;
- neoplasms in the kidneys and urinary tract, etc.
In addition, the result of increased production of urea can be the development of shock conditions and burn disease. Therefore, we can safely declare the vital need to control and eliminate the causes of increased protein breakdown, i.e. increase in blood urea. Only a qualified medical professional can tell you how to treat these unwanted manifestations.
Because of what is the decline in performance
Decrease in the level of creatinine and urea in the blood can occur due to prolonged diets. As a rule, during their observance, a person consumes the minimum amount of animal fats.
In some cases, the production of urea can occur due to the use of growth hormones, the development of serious liver pathologies or metabolic disorders when the body is not able to independently produce the necessary enzymes.
How to reduce urea in the body
With a rapid increase in the indicator (when its values exceed 10 mmol / liter), drug therapy is necessary. This is primarily due to the danger of developing pathologies. It is impossible to talk about any self-treatment in this case, since this threatens to aggravate the state of he alth.
If the urea in the blood is elevated, the doctor observing the patient will tell you how to treat this phenomenon. If necessary, he will recommendundergo additional laboratory and instrumental examinations or refer them to highly specialized specialists.
Probenecid is most often prescribed as a drug that helps reduce the level of urea. This remedy has a positive effect on the kidneys and promotes the excretion of acid. However, it has a number of contraindications. An alternative to Probenecid could be Allopurinol.
At the same time as taking medications, it is recommended to follow special therapeutic diets.
Traditional medicine
When identifying and eliminating the causes of urea in the blood (its increase, that is, with increased production of protein breakdown products), it is recommended to use some traditional medicine recipes. Here, the main type of healing therapy is the use of teas, decoctions and infusions prepared on the basis of:
- rosehip leaves;
- juniper;
- St. John's wort;
- black currant fruit;
- elderberries;
- cornflower inflorescences.
However, such treatment can only be carried out with the approval of a doctor. With increased urea in the blood, the doctor will not only select the appropriate composition of the herbal collection, but also recommend the optimal regimens and course of treatment.
Diets to reduce urea
With kidney disease and an increase in urea in the body, doctors often recommend adjusting the diet. The essence of the therapeutic diet is to limit the use of extractives that irritate the kidneys. This improves the elimination ofthe body of under-oxidized metabolic products (slags) and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
However, we must not forget that any diet should consist of a variety of foods that contain vital elements: vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the optimal amount. Here, the presence of products with lipotropic properties in the diet is very important (for example, milk and sour-milk products, but sour cream and cream should be with a minimum percentage of fat content).
You should stop eating a lot of s alt. It is necessary to introduce foods with diuretic properties into the daily diet. These are, first of all, fresh: pumpkin, zucchini, cucumbers, beets, fresh fruits and berries. The diet should be fractional, and the daily diet is divided into 4-6 meals. It is also necessary to consume enough clean drinking water: drink at least 1 liter per day.
Forecasts and recommendations of doctors
To exclude the possibility of developing serious pathologies in the body, modern medicine recommends regular biochemical blood tests. Urea and creatinine, discovered as a result of the study, will make it possible to identify and prevent the development of many serious pathologies in the body at an early stage.
