If you suspect the presence of diseases of various organs and systems and for the purpose of prevention, doctors prescribe a biochemical blood test. One clinically relevant indicator is the level of urea in the fluid connective tissue. If it is deviated from the norm, this indicates the development of a pathological process that poses a threat to both health and human life.
Urea: concept
This chemical compound is formed as a result of the breakdown of proteins in the body. It is the final product. The process of its formation is launched in the liver, after which it enters the bloodstream and is completely excreted by the kidneys. Urea does not perform any functions that are vital, it is needed only to safely rid the body of nitrogen. In this case, the chemical compound is an indicator that indicates various disorders in the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
Do not confuse it with uric acid. The latter is the product (also final) of the decay of purine compounds. It is necessary in order to neutralize the toxic substance in the body - ammonia. In this case, uric acid is able to accumulate in the tissues in the form of salts. The result of this pathological process is a variety of diseases, including gout. Urea is a sign of the presence of serious pathologies in the body, but it does not serve as their cause.
Generally accepted standards
Before submitting biomaterial, the patient must follow a diet or completely refuse to eat food the day before (on the recommendation of a doctor). Only in this case, the result of the study will be as reliable as possible.
The urea amount in the liquid connective tissue of a healthy adult should be at least 2.5, but not more than 8.3 mmol / L. In children whose age is less than 14 years, these indicators are less. For them, the lower limit is 1.8 mmol / L, the upper limit is 6.4 mmol / L. The norm for the elderly (over 60 years) is not less than 2.9 and not more than 7.5 mmol / l. As a rule, women have lower rates than men.
Deviation from the norm downwards is a rarity. If there are any diseases, in most cases an elevated level of urea in the blood is detected.
Anxiety symptoms
If the process of excretion of a chemical compound is disturbed, general intoxication develops. The volume of fluid in the cells increases, as a result of which they cease to function normally. Trophic tissue is also impaired. With the development of severe intoxication, the patient may fall into a coma.
The severity of signs of general poisoning directly depends on how much urea is raised in the blood. Of no less importance are the individual characteristics of the health of each person.
The main symptoms of an increase in blood urea are:
- pallor of the skin;
- headache;
- persistent weakness;
- nausea turning into vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- dysuria (a pathological condition, during the development of which the output of urine is disturbed);
- visual impairment.
If you have the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor. If the symptoms are pronounced, it is recommended to call an ambulance. In such cases, the lack of treatment can lead to the development of renal failure. As a result, the malfunctioning of most organs and systems occurs. Prolonged intoxication of the body can be fatal.
Causes of increased urea in the blood
In most cases, an increase in the level of a chemical compound indicates impaired renal function.
In addition, the following diseases and conditions are the causes of increased urea in the blood:
- excessive consumption of alcohol-containing drinks;
- cirrhosis;
- severe degree of flu;
- typhoid fever;
- jaundice;
- pneumonia;
- leptospirosis;
- acute myocardial infarction;
- heart failure;
- intestinal obstruction;
- gout;
- shock upon serious burns;
- dehydration of the body;
- leukemia.
In addition, the deviation of the indicator from the norm upwards allows us to suspect the presence of diabetes mellitus. In men, increased blood urea may indicate the development of an inflammatory process in the prostate. The presence of neoplasms of both malignant and benign nature is not excluded. In both men and women, increased urea in the blood can indicate the formation of calculi in the ducts, through which urine is excreted from the body.
The concentration of the compound allows us to judge the degree of kidney damage. If it does not exceed 16 mmol / l, it is customary to talk about moderate severity. An indicator of not more than 33.2 mmol / l indicates a serious organ damage. If the urea in the blood is increased to a value of 49 mmol / l, it is customary to talk about extremely severe kidney damage. The prognosis is unfavorable.
Abnormalities due to physiological processes
Not always an increase in the urea index indicates the presence of a disease in the body.
The level of a chemical compound in the blood may increase against the background of:
- High-intensity physical exertion. During training, the process of protein breakdown is accelerated.
- Unbalanced diet. If the blood contains urea, this may indicate that an excess amount of protein enters the body along with food. In addition, an increase in the indicator occurs subject to various diets.
- Taking certain medications. The reason for the increase in blood urea may be treatment with the following drugs: antibiotics; sulfanilamides; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; vasoconstrictor; containing thyroid hormones, lithium, fluorine and heavy metals.
In order for the doctor to be able to correctly decipher the results of the analysis, it is necessary to provide him with information in advance on the degree of intensity of daily physical activity and diet. If there are any diseases, you need to tell him the names of the drugs, the intake of which is included in the treatment plan for ailments.
Drug therapy
If the blood contains urea, this means that the doctor will have to find out the cause of the development of this pathological condition. After an accurate diagnosis is made, the specialist makes the most effective treatment regimen for the underlying disease.
Thus, the normalization of the urea in the blood is not the main goal of therapy. First of all, it is necessary to restore the normal functioning of the organ, the malfunction of which led to an increase in the level of the chemical compound.
If the patient is diagnosed with acute intoxication, emergency measures are indicated. They are aimed at cleansing the body of toxic compounds.
First aid includes the following items:
- gastric lavage;
- intravenous administration of drugs;
- cleansing enema;
- bloodletting (it is allowed to take from the patient no more than 400 ml of liquid connective tissue).
With the ineffectiveness of the above measures, hemodialysis is indicated, with extremely severe kidney damage, a donor organ transplant.
Power Features
If the urea in the blood is elevated, this means that the patient will have to follow a diet until the indicator normalizes. There is no need to limit the calorie intake or even starve. Such actions will only lead to a deterioration in the course of the underlying disease and an even greater increase in the indicator. It is enough to arrange a fasting day once a week.
We must not forget about the drinking regimen. During the day, the patient should drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day. It is not recommended to drink sparkling water.
If urea is elevated in a blood test, you need to strictly monitor the amount of protein entering the body.
The following products are allowed:
- lean meats: rabbit, turkey, chicken;
- fish;
- seafood;
- milk;
- eggs
- fruits;
- vegetables;
- any vegetable oils;
- juices;
- infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs;
- coffee, tea (weak);
- cereals and pasta (it is allowed to use them no more than 2 times a week);
- marmalade;
- jam;
- jelly.
From the diet it is necessary to exclude:
- sausages;
- fatty meat and fish;
- canned food;
- salted, smoked and fried foods;
- carbonated and alcohol-containing drinks;
- seasonings;
- sauces;
- cauliflower;
- mushrooms;
- sorrel;
- strong coffee and tea.
6 meals are required per day. Portions should be small (about 200 g).
Unconventional methods
The use of alternative methods of treating elevated urea in the blood does not exclude the need to contact a medical institution, since only a doctor can accurately determine the cause of the development of a pathological condition. The specialist must give permission to use alternative methods, since the action of medicinal plants can worsen the course of the underlying disease and reduce the effectiveness of the medication.
With an increased level of urea, diuretic teas are the most effective. It is allowed to cook decoctions from the following plants:
- corn stigmas;
- blackcurrant;
- cornflower (flowers);
- rose hips;
- parsley;
- juniper;
- St. John's wort
- elderberry black;
- linden trees.
Good results help achieve the use of infusions based on licorice root and bearberry. To prepare a medicinal product, you need to take 2 tbsp. l crushed raw materials, pour 200 ml of boiling water. The product should be infused for 4-5 hours. Strain. The resulting infusion must be consumed daily 20 minutes before a meal of 2 tbsp. l
Forecast
Each person with a preventive goal must donate blood for biochemical research. Only this allows timely detection of an increase in urea in liquid connective tissue. The doctor draws up a treatment regimen, after which, as a rule, recovery occurs. Otherwise, there is a progression of the underlying disease and an even greater increase in urea. Ignoring the problem leads to the development of various pathologies that pose a threat to both health and human life.
General recommendations
Persons who have ever had an increase in the concentration of urea in the body must have a biochemical blood test done at least twice a year. Compliance with this recommendation allows you to timely detect pathology and successfully cope with it in a short time.
It is also recommended to limit or completely exclude food from the list of prohibited foods from the diet. In addition, you must drink at least 2 liters of still water per day.
Finally
Urea is a chemical compound that is formed due to the breakdown of proteins in the body. Very rarely a decrease in its level is detected. The most frequently diagnosed deviation of the urea from the norm in a big way. As a rule, this indicates a violation of the functioning of the kidneys. In order for the doctor to be able to diagnose, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis, based on the results of which the specialist will make the most effective treatment regimen.