Azotemia - what is it? An increased presence in human blood of nitrogen-containing products that are formed after protein processing. This indicates developing kidney failure.
Characteristics of the disease
Azotemia - what is it? This is a disease directly related to the kidneys. They decrease the glomerular filtration rate. The concentration of residual nitrogen, indican, amino acids, etc. increases in the blood. The index of the proportions of nitrogen, creatinine and urea increases.
When the kidneys are working normally, the ratio of the listed elements does not exceed 15 units. Nitrogenous products are excreted from the body with urine. If the kidneys are disturbed, active protein catabolism begins, the entire system fails.
Types of azotemia
Azotemia - what is it? The disease is divided into three types. Prerenal azotemia begins after a decrease in cardiac output. The kidneys don't get enough blood. Prerenal azotemia occurs due to heart failure, dehydration, decreased circulation, shock, and many other causes. When the index exceeds 15, the reason lies infailure of filtration of creatinine and nitrogen. GFR decreases due to hypoperfusion. This leads to an increase in creatinine and nitrogen levels. After reabsorption, its amount rises rapidly.
The second type of azotemia is renal. Most often it leads to uremia. Usually this condition occurs due to kidney disease or parenchymal damage. Renal azotemia causes the development of the following:
- glomerulonephritis;
- kidney failure;
- acute tubular necrosis, etc.
With this form of azotemia, the index is less than 15. GFR decreases, blood levels of nitrogen and creatinine are increased. Reabsorption does not occur due to damage to the proximal tubules. Nitrogen is excreted from the body with urine.
The third type of azotemia is postrenal. In this case, the obstruction to standard urine output is below the kidneys. The causes may be congenital pathologies:
- prostate hyperplasia;
- vesicoureteral reflux;
- tumor compressing the urethra;
- pregnancy;
- stones in the ureter.
As a result, hydronephrosis may develop due to resistance to normal urine flow. At the same time, the index mark is higher than 15. Pressure increases in the nephron, which causes active reabsorption of nitrogen. Accordingly, it increases in the index.
Symptoms of the disease
One of the rare diseases is azotemia. Symptoms progress as the pathology progresses. The main signs of azotemiaare:
- pale skin;
- oliguria (decreased urine output);
- persistent dry mouth;
- thirst;
- jumping blood pressure;
- puffiness;
- uremia;
- tachycardia;
- general weakness.
During illness may experience:
- lack of appetite;
- nausea;
- vomit;
- dry and coated tongue;
- dyspepsia;
- anemia;
- ammonia breath smell;
- profuse diarrhea;
- development of enterocolitis, stomatitis and gingivitis;
- calf cramps;
- depression;
- sharp apathy alternating with restless states;
- drowsy;
- tremor.
Additional symptoms of azotemia are itching and dry skin, sometimes hearing loss and vision loss.
Diagnosis
Azotemia, the symptoms of which are determined by diagnosis, is a complex disease. For successful therapy, an accurate diagnosis is necessary, as well as finding the cause that caused azotemia. Diagnosis is made by a nephrologist (a specialist in kidney disease) and a urologist. The patient gives blood and urine tests. The patient's nitrogen index and creatinine are measured.
Treatment
Azotemia, the treatment of which begins with a consultation with a urologist or nephrologist, is a serious disease and requires careful diagnosis. After the results of the tests are obtained, therapy is prescribed. Attimely and accurate diagnosis, the disease is treated quickly and effectively. Late treatment of the patient may cause undesirable complications, many of which are quite dangerous for he alth.
Hemodialysis is used during therapy. Medications are prescribed to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of azotemia. Drugs are used that restore normal blood pressure and improve heart function. Azotemia - what is it? The disease occurs against the background of a violation of the kidneys. Therefore, many nitrogenous compounds accumulate in the blood, which are not excreted from the body in full. Therapy is aimed at restoring kidney function. Your doctor may prescribe a special diet. It is necessary for the duration of treatment to abandon large physical exertion.
It is strongly not recommended to self-medicate. Self-selection of drugs can lead to the opposite effect - renal failure. Therefore, at the first sign of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Prevention
For the prevention of azotemia, it is necessary to constantly support the immune system, do gymnastics, play sports and take walks in the fresh air. Be sure to set aside time for a good rest. It is necessary to avoid hypothermia and treat any diseases associated with the kidneys in time.
Forecast
Unfavorable prognosis in the treatment of azotemia is put only in the absence of correct and timely treatment. When contacting latethe disease is already actively progressing to the doctor, additional complications appear, which complicates therapy. With timely access to a doctor, the treatment of azotemia has a favorable prognosis. Complex therapy relieves symptoms and normalizes the functioning of the urinary system.
