Azotemia - what is it? Description, symptoms and therapy

Azotemia - what is it? Increased presence in the human blood of nitrogen-containing products, which are formed after protein processing. This indicates a developing kidney failure.

Characteristics of the disease

Azotemia - what is it? This disease is directly related to the kidneys. They reduce the rate of glomerular filtration. In the blood, the concentration of residual nitrogen, indicator, amino acids, etc. is increased. The index of proportions of nitrogen, creatinine and urea is increasing.

When the kidneys are working in normal mode, the ratio of the listed elements does not exceed 15 units. Nitrogen products are excreted from the body with urine. If the kidneys work is broken, active protein catabolism begins, the whole system fails.

Types of azotemia

Azotemia - what is it? The disease is divided into three types. Prerenal azotemia begins after a reduction in cardiac output. The kidneys receive less blood. Prerenal azotemia occurs due to heart failure, dehydration, reduced blood circulation, shock, and for many other reasons. When the index exceeds the 15 mark, the reason lies in the failure of the filtration of creatinine and nitrogen. GFR decreases due to hypoperfusion. This leads to an increase in the level of creatinine and nitrogen. After reabsorption, its quantity rapidly grows.

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 azatemia 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 the standard urine output is below the kidneys. The causes can be congenital pathologies:

• Hyperplasia of the prostate;
• Vesicoureteral reflux;
• A tumor that constricts the urethra;
• pregnancy;
• Stones in the ureter.

As a result, the development of hydronephrosis is possible because of resistance to a normal outflow of urine. At the same time, the index is higher than 15. In the nephron, the pressure increases, which causes active nitrogen reabsorption. Accordingly, it increases in the index.

Symptomatic of the disease

One of the infrequent diseases is azotemia. Symptoms begin to progress as the pathology proceeds. The main signs of azotemia are:

• Pallor of the skin;
• Oliguria (decreased diuresis);
• Constant dry mouth;
• thirst;
• Galloping arterial pressure;
• Swelling;
• uremia;
• tachycardia;
• General weakness.

During the illness can be observed:

• lack of appetite;
• nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Dry and lined tongue;
• dyspepsia;
• anemia;
• Odor of ammonia from the mouth;
• Profuse diarrhea;
• Development of enterocolitis, stomatitis and gingivitis;
• Calf convulsions;
• Depression;
• Sharp apathy, alternating with restless states;
• drowsiness;
• tremor.

Additional symptoms of azotemia are pruritus and dry skin, sometimes a decrease in hearing and a drop in vision.

Diagnostics

Azotemia, the symptoms, the treatment of which is determined by diagnosis, is a complex disease. For successful therapy, an accurate diagnosis is needed, as well as finding the cause that caused azotemia. Diagnosis is carried out by a nephrologist (a specialist who deals with kidney disease) and a urologist. The patient gives blood and urine tests. The patient measures the nitrogen and creatinine index.

Treatment

Azotemia, whose treatment begins with a consultation of a urologist or nephrologist, is a serious illness and requires careful diagnosis. After the results of the tests, therapy is prescribed. With a timely and accurate diagnosis, the disease is treated quickly and effectively. With late treatment of the patient, undesirable complications may arise, many of which are quite dangerous for health.

During the therapy, hemodialysis is used. Appointed funds that eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of azotemia. There are drugs that restore normal blood pressure and improve heart function. Azotemia - what is it? The disease occurs against a background of impaired renal function. Therefore, a lot of nitrogenous compounds accumulate in the blood, which are not removed from the body in full. Therapy is aimed at restoring the kidneys. A doctor may be prescribed a special diet. It is necessary to abandon large physical exertion at the time of treatment.

Categorically it is not recommended to engage in self-medication. Independent selection of medications can lead to the opposite effect - renal failure. Therefore, at the first signs of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Prevention

To prevent azotemia, you must constantly maintain the immune system, do gymnastics, exercise and go on a walk in the fresh air. Necessarily allocated time for a good rest. It is necessary to avoid hypothermia and to treat any diseases related to the kidneys in time.

Forecast

An unfavorable prognosis for the treatment of azotemia is raised only if there is no correct and timely treatment. With late referral to the doctor, the disease is already actively progressing, there are additional complications, which complicates therapy. With timely access to a doctor, the treatment of azotemia has a favorable prognosis. Complex therapy cures the symptoms and normalizes the work of the urinary system.