Azotemia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Azotemia is a medical condition characterized by abnormal levels of urea, creatinine, various body waste compounds, and other nitrogen-rich compounds in the blood as a result of insufficient filtering of the blood by the kidneys.
Uremia can be used as a synonym, or can be used to indicate severe azotemia, in which symptoms are produced.
Azotemia can be classified according to its cause. In prerenal azotemia the blood supply to the kidneys is inadequate. In postrenal azotemia the urinary outflow tract is obstructed. Other forms of azotemia are caused by diseases of the kidneys themselves.
Other causes of azotemia include congestive heart failure, shock, severe burns, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, some antiviral medications, or trauma to the kidney(s).
[edit] Signs and symptoms
- Decreased or absent urine output
- Fatigue
- Decreased alertness
- Confusion
- Pale skin color
- Rapid pulse
- Dry mouth
- Thirst, swelling (edema, anasarca)
- Orthostatic blood pressure (rises or falls, significantly depending on position)
A urinalysis will typically show a decreased urine sodium level, a high urine creatinine-to- serum creatinine ratio, a high urine urea-to-serum urea ratio, and concentrated urine (determined by osmolality and specific gravity). None of these is particularly useful in diagnosis.
Prompt treatment of some causes of azotemia can result in restoration of kidney function; delayed treatment may result in permanent loss of renal function. Treatment may include hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, medications to increase cardiac output and increase blood pressure, and the treatment of the condition that caused the azotemia to begin with. NOTE: Azotemia is not diagnosed with abnormally high levels of Creatinine. Azotemia simply refers to an elevated level of urea in the blood. Added Note: Uremia is not azotemia. Azotemia is one of many clinical characteristics of uremia, which is a syndome characteristic of renal disease.
