19 years
What is the different between azotemia and uremia ?
Aug 20, 2014
1. Azotemia (nitrogen in blood):
One major role of a healthy kidney is to get rid of the byproducts of nitrogen metabolism (from protein). Azotemia occurs when the kidneys are damaged and can no longer efficiently get rid of these metabolites. BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine are just two easily measured markers of nitrogen accumulation. When their levels are increased one can be said to have renal dysfunction. . For those who visit a doctor regularly and have blood drawn, kidney dysfunction can be detected by accident. For others, diagnosis comes when they develop symptoms at a late stage, and may require dialysis in the short term.
The possible advantage of knowing early is applying the possible interventions that might slow progression and the ability to prepare psychologically (if that is possible).
2. Uremia (urine in blood):
The end stage of "kidney failure" when one begins to get symptoms of increasing severity as the kidney fails further. Such symptoms include:
1. Progressive loss of energy - decreased exercise tolerance
2. Progressive loss of interest in life and normal activities
3. Decrease of appetite, some weight loss (may be masked by fluid retention
4. Loss of appetite with nausea and vomiting marks a serious turn for the worse
5. Uremic pericarditis (inflammation of the outside lining of the heart), lethargy, confusion, coma indicate a progression of the final stages of uremia to death.
Intervention with dialysis or transplant early in the course can prevent later complications.
However, some patients have to become ill before appreciating what dialysis can do.
One major role of a healthy kidney is to get rid of the byproducts of nitrogen metabolism (from protein). Azotemia occurs when the kidneys are damaged and can no longer efficiently get rid of these metabolites. BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine are just two easily measured markers of nitrogen accumulation. When their levels are increased one can be said to have renal dysfunction. . For those who visit a doctor regularly and have blood drawn, kidney dysfunction can be detected by accident. For others, diagnosis comes when they develop symptoms at a late stage, and may require dialysis in the short term.
The possible advantage of knowing early is applying the possible interventions that might slow progression and the ability to prepare psychologically (if that is possible).
2. Uremia (urine in blood):
The end stage of "kidney failure" when one begins to get symptoms of increasing severity as the kidney fails further. Such symptoms include:
1. Progressive loss of energy - decreased exercise tolerance
2. Progressive loss of interest in life and normal activities
3. Decrease of appetite, some weight loss (may be masked by fluid retention
4. Loss of appetite with nausea and vomiting marks a serious turn for the worse
5. Uremic pericarditis (inflammation of the outside lining of the heart), lethargy, confusion, coma indicate a progression of the final stages of uremia to death.
Intervention with dialysis or transplant early in the course can prevent later complications.
However, some patients have to become ill before appreciating what dialysis can do.
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