What Is Uremia? (2024)

What is the outlook for people with uremia?

Uremia usually requires dialysis and careful monitoring. Without dialysis, severe uremia may cause a coma and eventually death.

How long can a person live with uremia?

If you have kidney failure severe enough to cause uremia, you may survive only a few days or weeks without dialysis or a kidney transplant. If you choose not to start dialysis (for example, if you have another serious illness that’ll significantly shorten how long you may live), then healthcare providers can help care for you and treat the symptoms of uremia (palliative care).

Should I make any changes to my diet?

If you have CKD, you should follow a heart-healthy, low-sodium eating pattern. You may need to adjust or avoid certain medications. A healthcare provider can help you make the safest choices.

If your CKD is more advanced, you may develop elevated levels of potassium, phosphorus or parathyroid hormone (PTH). In such cases, you should talk to a healthcare provider or dietitian who specializes in kidney health (renal dietitian) before changing your diet or taking supplements.

Renal dietitians may often recommend eating patterns to help prevent these elevated levels. This includes limiting your intake of:

  • Potassium.
  • Phosphate.
  • Protein.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Schedule regular appointments with a healthcare provider to monitor your kidney health.

Contact a provider if you have kidney disease risk factors, including:

  • A biological family history of kidney disease.
  • A past kidney injury.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Changes in your peeing habits.
  • Swelling (edema), especially around your ankles, hands or face.
  • You take a lot of NSAIDs.

When should I go to the ER?

Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number if you or someone else with kidney issues shows signs of:

  • Abnormal behavior.
  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Confusion.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Not knowing where you are (disorientation).
  • Drowsiness.
  • Fatigue.
  • Nausea and vomiting.

What questions should I ask a healthcare provider?

You may want to ask your provider:

  • How do you know that I have uremia?
  • Should I make changes to what I eat and drink?
  • What’s your recommended treatment?
  • Can you refer me to a nephrologist?
  • Can you refer me to a support group?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Uremia is a serious medical condition that occurs when your kidneys aren’t working well. It’s a sign of untreated kidney failure. It can cause hormone imbalances and metabolic problems. Without treatment, uremia is fatal. Medication can ease some uremia symptoms. But if you have uremia, you need ongoing dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Healthcare providers are available to answer any questions you have. They can also recommend support groups for you or your loved ones to help you adjust.

What Is Uremia? (2024)

FAQs

What is the uremia? ›

Uremia is a clinical condition associated with declining renal function and is characterized by fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, metabolic abnormalities, and physiological changes. The term "uremia" literally means "urine in the blood," which develops most commonly in chronic and end-stage renal disease.

Which of the following best describes the term uremia? ›

Uremia is a buildup of waste products in your blood that occurs as a result of untreated kidney failure.

What is uremia caused by Quizlet? ›

the cause of uremia is not totally known. it's an intoxication but we don't know what the substances are that cause uremia. patients with low GFR and CKD develop uremia which is an indication for dialysis.

Why is uremia life threatening? ›

Uremia can lead to kidney failure when left untreated. Someone with uremia may have seizures, loss of consciousness, heart attacks, and other life-threatening symptoms. Some will need a kidney transplant. Kidney failure may also damage other organs, so untreated uremia can result in liver or heart failure.

How long can you live with uremia? ›

If you have uremia and get dialysis, you can live a long time. You may also consider a kidney transplant instead of regular dialysis. If your kidneys have failed and you don't get dialysis or a transplant, you could die within a week. Sometimes people may choose not to treat uremia if they have a fatal illness.

What is urea in the kidneys? ›

The nitrogen combines with other elements, such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, to form urea, which is a chemical waste product. The urea travels from your liver to your kidneys through your bloodstream. Healthy kidneys filter urea and remove other waste products from your blood.

What is a sentence for uremia? ›

Example Sentences

Uremia is the most dreaded symptom and develops as a result of the retained toxins in the blood. This may go on to a fatal attack of uremia; but fortunately, not commonly, far less so than in scarlet fever. In fact, there are some who advise decompression for uremia.

How do you treat uremia? ›

The ultimate treatment for uremia is renal replacement therapy, which can be accomplished by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation.

What is the meaning of the word uremic? ›

: accumulation in the blood of constituents normally eliminated in the urine that produces a severe toxic condition and usually occurs in severe kidney disease. 2. : the toxic bodily condition associated with uremia. uremic.

What increases uremia? ›

Uremia is a clinical syndrome marked by elevated concentrations of urea in the blood and associated with fluid, electrolyte, and hormone imbalances and metabolic abnormalities, which develop in parallel with deterioration of kidney function.

How can you prevent uremia? ›

How can it be prevented? The best way to try to prevent uremia if you are in end-stage renal failure is to have regular dialysis treatments. This will keep the waste filtered out of your blood. You should also avoid eating anything high in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium.

What toxins cause uremia? ›

Examples of organic anions classified as uremic toxins are indoxyl sulfate, hippuric acid, indoleacetic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid, and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid.

What are the best fruits for kidneys? ›

17 Fruits for kidney health benefits
  • Strawberries. Contain two types of phenols, anthocyanins, and ellagitannins, which improve kidney function. ...
  • Cranberries. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Raspberries. ...
  • Apples. ...
  • Grapes. ...
  • Pineapples. ...
  • Citrus fruits.

What food should be avoided if creatinine is high? ›

Kapoor says a healthy diet can aid in lowering creatinine levels and one must avoid foods like red meat, salty meals, white bread, processed foods, sugary foods, caffeine, canned vegetables, and foods that may contain high quantities of protein if diagnosed with high levels of creatinine in the blood.

Can drinking water reduce blood urea? ›

A simple and effective way to prevent high blood urea is by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps flush out toxins and waste products from the body, including excess urea. Eating a healthy diet that includes foods low in protein can also help prevent high blood urea levels.

What happens if the urea level is high? ›

Urea nitrogen is a waste product that your kidneys remove from your blood. Higher than normal BUN levels may be a sign that your kidneys aren't working well. People with early kidney disease may not have any symptoms. A BUN test can help uncover kidney problems at an early stage when treatment can be more effective.

What happens when urea is low? ›

A low urea value may be caused by a diet very low in protein, malnutrition, or severe liver damage. Drinking excessive amounts of liquid may cause overhydration and cause a low urea value. Women and children may have lower urea levels than men because of how their bodies break down protein.

How do you fix uremia? ›

Treatment. The ultimate treatment for uremia is renal replacement therapy,which can be accomplished by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation. Initiation of dialysis is indicated, regardless of the GFR level, when signs or symptoms of uremia are present and are not treatable by other medical means ...

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5532

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.