What is Uremia: Its Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments!

• Written by Sejal Singhania

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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Let's be honest, we've all tried to brush off symptoms like feeling unusually tired, unexplained nausea, itchy skin, or just feeling 'off' that don't seem to go away. These might look like small issues, but collectively, they could signal a significant warning from your kidneys.

Uremia is a condition that happens when your kidneys aren't functioning properly, leading to a buildup of waste in your body. It might sound threatening, but recognising the signs early can empower you to manage your health before it turns into a serious problem. So, let's understand the causes of uremia, the early warning signs, and the treatments that can help us maintain kidney health.

What is Uremia?

Uremia is a serious condition that arises when the kidneys are damaged. Your kidneys act like your body's waste disposal system. They filter out toxins and extra waste from your blood, which is then released through urine. However, when your kidneys aren't functioning properly, often due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury, that waste has nowhere to go. This leads to a buildup of toxins in your blood, resulting in Uremia.

It happens when your kidneys can't effectively filter waste products from your blood. This condition stems from untreated kidney failure and develops when the level of waste products rises so high that you start experiencing symptoms. If not treated on time, uremia can result in life-threatening issues that impact your heart, brain, and overall bodily functions.

Uremia vs Uremic Syndrome

However, uremic syndrome specifically describes the various signs and symptoms that can occur when chronic kidney disease goes untreated and results in uremia. The waste products in your bloodstream can impact other organs and your metabolism in numerous intricate ways. Uremia and uremic syndrome are often used interchangeably to describe a high plasma urea level due to kidney failure.

Signs of Uremia in Humans: Clues that Your Body Gives!

In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you might not see any symptoms. But once uremia kicks in, your kidneys are very damaged. Some of the uremia symptoms may include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Problems with thinking and remembering (cognitive dysfunction)
• Feeling very tired (fatigue)
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Metallic taste in your mouth
• Muscle cramps
• Itching
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Cramping in your legs
• Headache
• Change in urine

What Causes Uremia? The Real Reasons

Uremia occurs when your kidney fails to filter out waste from your body. Instead, that waste ends up in your bloodstream, which can lead to a serious health risk. Some potential uremia causes include:

• High blood pressure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes (both type 1 and 2)
• Inflammation of the filtering units in the kidneys, called glomeruli
• Inflammation of the kidney’s tubules and the structures around them
• Enlarged prostate
• Autoimmune disease
• Some types of cancer
• Urinary tract blockage
• Kidney infections

Uremia Risk Factors: The Hidden Triggers 

You're at a higher risk of uremia if your kidneys aren't functioning properly and you're not obtaining dialysis to clean your blood. Anything that raises your chances of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure will also increase the possibility of uremia. The risk factors of uremia may include:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Heart disease
• Abnormal kidneys
• Family history
• Old age
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Taking medicines that can hurt your kidneys
• Anemia

Complications of Uremia That Everyone Should Know!

If left untreated, uremia can cause a bunch of serious and potentially life-threatening issues. This happens because the buildup of waste in the bloodstream impacts almost every system in your body. A lot of these complications develop silently until they become severe. Here are some serious complications of uremia that you should be aware of:

Blood Complications

• Too few healthy red blood cells (anaemia)
• Excessive bleeding

Bones Problems

• Problems maintaining healthy bones
• Bone pain
• Risk of fractures
• Calcium and phosphorus imbalance

Fluid Buildup

• Swelling in legs, feet or face
• Fluid in the lungs causes shortness of breath

Heart complications

• Fluid around your heart (pericardial effusion)
• Inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericarditis)

Cardiovascular complications

• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of heart attacks or heart failure.
• Irregular heartbeat.

Neurological Problems

• Nerve damage
• Confusion or memory loss

Other Complications

• Electrolyte imbalances
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Skin Issues
• Infertility

How is Uremia Diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects you could have uremia, they might suggest you visit a kidney expert known as a nephrologist. Further, they can perform some tests to check how well your kidneys are functioning. Some of the uremia tests may include: 

• Blood Test - To check urea, creatinine and electrolyte levels. 
• Urine Test - To check protein, blood, or other abnormal substances in the urine, which can be indicative of kidney damage.
• Kidney Function Tests - Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) test, to estimate how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. 
• Imaging - Ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI tests to visualise the kidneys, assessing their size, shape, and identifying any abnormalities like blockages or cysts.

Uremia Treatment: That You Should Know!

The most reliving thing is that uremia can be managed effectively with the right treatment. Depending on how severe it is, doctors might suggest one or more of the following treatments:

• Medications - It helps the body get rid of extra fluid, manage high blood pressure and fix imbalances in potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes. Besides dialysis and transplants, medicines can also be used to address particular uremic symptoms and complications.
• Dialysis -  It usually starts when symptoms of uremia, like nausea, vomiting, or imbalances in electrolytes, become severe and can’t be controlled with medicines. It’s a process that takes out waste and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can’t do so. There are two primary kinds of dialysis: Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis.
• Kidney Transplant - It is a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney from a living donor. It is seen as the best treatment for end-stage kidney disease, providing the greatest opportunity to restore kidney function and enhance quality of life.
• Dietary Changes - Making changes to your nutrition is crucial for reducing protein, sodium, and potassium intake, while also ensuring you get enough calories and nutrients. A dietitian who specialises in kidney disease can create a personalised meal plan.

Pro Tip: Medical treatments for kidney conditions like uremia can be costly, especially if dialysis or hospitalisation is involved. Finding out that you have uremia is the first step. The next step is to make sure that you are covered. A reliable Mediclaim Policy can shield you from these unforeseen costs and provide you with access to superior healthcare without having to worry about money. So, buy the best health insurance you need for your peace of mind. 

Can Uremia be Prevented?

You can avoid uremia by getting regular dialysis or opting for a kidney transplant. The other ways to avoid uremia may include:

• Stay hydrated because it helps your kidneys work more efficiently.
• Cut back on salt, red meat, and junk food.
• Make sure to exercise regularly since it aids in managing your weight and blood pressure.
• Keep your diabetes in check, as it can seriously affect your kidneys.
• Schedule regular health check-ups, especially if there's a family history of kidney issues.

>> Also Read: What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Protect Your Kidney Before It’s Too Late!

Uremia occurs when your kidneys are unable to filter waste from your blood, and you're not receiving dialysis to eliminate those wastes either. The buildup of extra wastes and toxins can lead to various health issues and might even result in coma or death if kidney failure is severe and goes untreated.

If you're concerned that you might have uremia or could be at risk for it, it's important to consult a kidney specialist or nephrologist for testing and possibly dialysis to help replace the function your kidneys have lost. Uremia might seem like a complicated medical issue, but with knowledge and prompt care, it doesn't have to control your life.

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. Health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. See policy documents for details.