Azotemia - what is it? The increased presence in the human blood of nitrogen-containing products that are formed after protein processing. This indicates developing kidney failure.
Disease characteristics
Azotemia - what is it? This is a disease directly related to the kidneys. They decrease the glomerular filtration rate. In the blood, the concentration of residual nitrogen, indican, amino acids, etc. increases. The index of proportions of nitrogen, creatinine and urea is increasing.
When the kidneys work in normal mode, the ratio of the listed elements does not exceed 15 units. Nitrogen products are excreted in the urine. If kidney function is impaired, active protein catabolism begins, and the entire system malfunctions.
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 get less blood. Prerenal azotemia occurs due to heart failure, dehydration, decreased blood circulation, shock, and for many other reasons. When the index exceeds the mark of 15, the reason lies in the failure of the filtration of creatinine and nitrogen. GFR decreases due to hypoperfusion. This leads to an increase in creatinine and nitrogen. After reabsorption, its amount grows rapidly.
The second type of azotemia is renal. Most often, it leads to uremia. Usually this condition occurs due to kidney disease or their parenchymal damage. Renal azotemia of the cause of development has the following:
- glomerulonephritis;
- renal 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 in the urine.
The third type of azotemia is postrenal. In this case, an obstacle to standard urine output is located below the kidneys. Causes may be congenital pathologies:
- prostatic hyperplasia;
- vesicoureteral reflux;
- a tumor compressing the urethra;
- pregnancy;
- stones in the ureter.
As a result, hydronephrosis may develop due to resistance to normal outflow of urine. At the same time, the index mark is above 15. In the nephron, pressure increases, which causes active reabsorption of nitrogen. Accordingly, it increases in the index.
Symptoms of the disease
One of the rare diseases is azotemia. Symptoms as the pathology proceeds begin to progress. The main signs of azotemia are:
- pallor of the skin;
- oliguria (decreased urine output);
- persistent dry mouth;
- thirst;
- skipping blood pressure;
- swelling;
- uremia;
- tachycardia;
- general weakness.
During illness, the following can be observed:
- lack of appetite;
- nausea;
- vomiting
- dry and coated tongue;
- dyspepsia;
- anemia;
- smell of ammonia from the mouth ;
- profuse diarrhea;
- development of enterocolitis, stomatitis and gingivitis;
- calf cramps;
- depression
- sharp apathy, alternating with restless conditions;
- drowsiness;
- tremor.
Additional symptoms of azotemia are itching and dry skin, sometimes there is a decrease in hearing and a drop in vision.
Diagnostics
Azotemia, the symptoms whose treatment is determined by diagnosis, is a complex disease. Successful therapy requires an accurate diagnosis, as well as finding the cause that caused azotemia. Diagnosis is by a nephrologist (specialist in kidney disease) and a urologist. The patient takes blood and urine tests. The patient measures the index of nitrogen and creatinine.
Treatment
Azotemia, the treatment of which begins with the consultation of a urologist or nephrologist, is a serious disease and requires careful diagnosis. After the obtained test results, therapy is prescribed. With a timely and accurate diagnosis, the disease is treated quickly and effectively. With late treatment of the patient, undesirable complications can occur, many of which are quite dangerous for health.
During therapy, hemodialysis is used. Prescribing drugs that eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of azotemia. Used 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, many nitrogenous compounds accumulate in the blood, which are not excreted from the body in full. Therapy is aimed at restoring the kidneys. A doctor may be prescribed a special diet. It is necessary at the time of treatment to abandon large physical exertion.
It is strongly not recommended to self-medicate. An independent choice of drugs can lead to the opposite effect - renal failure. Therefore, at the first signs of the disease, you must immediately consult a doctor.
Prevention
For the prevention of azotemia, it is necessary to constantly maintain the immune system, do gymnastics, play sports and take walks in the fresh air. Necessarily allocated time for a good rest. It is necessary to avoid hypothermia and treat any kidney related diseases on time.
Forecast
An unfavorable prognosis in the treatment of azotemia is made only in the absence of the correct and timely treatment. With a late call to the doctor, the disease is already actively progressing, additional complications appear, which complicates the therapy. With timely medical attention, treatment with azotemia has a favorable prognosis. Combination therapy relieves symptoms and normalizes the urinary system.