There is far more to your kidneys than urine. They eliminate waste, maintain fluid balance, aid in controlling blood pressure, and maintain the right level of minerals and electrolytes. The body begins to poison itself with accumulated waste when they no longer do this sufficiently. This is the reason why uremia is not a single symptom. It is a whole body issue which may involve the brain, heart, lungs, skin, stomach and blood.


What Causes Uremia?

Uremia commonly occurs in individuals with chronic kidney disease of a severe nature and more so when this condition advances to kidney failure. The causes of uremia, long-term causes of kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure. It may also occur following acute kidney injury, whereby the functioning of the kidneys reduces abruptly due to infection, dehydration, blockage, severe illness or some forms of kidney damage.

There are certain individuals who are more at risk than others. The risk is more likely to be increased in individuals who experience:


  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • A family history of kidney disease.
  • Prolonged chronic renal disease.
  • Advanced age or kidney replacement.

Common Symptoms of Uremia

Uremia symptoms can be developed when a kidney disease is already in an advanced stage. Kidney disease can start early in life and the results may have no noticeable symptoms and therefore most people are unaware that they have a problem until it gets more severe.

Symptoms may be different, but frequently include:


  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Itchy or dry skin
  • Muscle cramps
  • Pedal or ankle or hand swelling.
  • Shortness of breath
  • Changes in urination
  • Trouble concentrating or “brain fog”
  • Sleep problems
  • Headaches
  • a metallic flavor in the mouth or bad breath

Uremia may have an influence on mental functioning and the nervous system in more severe cases. An individual can get lost, extremely fatigued, agitation, or disoriented. Seizures, loss of consciousness, severe electrolyte issues, and heart complications may arise in a critical situation.


Read More: Urine C/E (Complete Examination) Test – Purpose, Procedure & Results


How is Uremia Diagnosed?

Uremia diagnosis is not done by physicians on the basis of a single symptom. They consider the entire picture: symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and test results. Blood tests are of great significance in that they can reveal increased waste products like creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and electrolyte and acid imbalances. Estimated glomerular filtration rate or eGFR and urine tests are also used to indicate the functioning of the kidneys.


When the functioning of the kidney has reduced to a level of less than approximately 15 percent of normal, then an individual is said to be in kidney failure. At that point, the symptoms of retained waste and fluid can become a lot more pronounced, and treatment planning becomes an emergency.


Treatment for Uremia

Uremia is a health issue which requires immediate medical attention. The treatment varies according to the severity of the kidney failure, the cause of the failure and whether the damage can be reversed. The primary aim is to eliminate waste products, rectify fluid and electrolyte issues, and treat the underlying kidney disease.


Main treatment options include:

  • Dialysis: This eliminates waste and surplus fluid in the blood, where the kidneys are unable to perform. The primary ones include hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
  • Kidney transplant: In other patients, transplant provides a permanent replacement of kidney functions.
  • Therapy of the cause: When acute kidney injury is followed by uremia, the physician might treat infection, obstruction, dehydration, or some other reversible cause.
  • Supportive care: This can involve the management of blood pressure, anemia, fluid overload, nausea, and others. In other situations, instead of dialysis or transplant, conservative management is selected.

Without treatment, uremia can be fatal. This is why one should not disregard such symptoms like confusion, severe vomiting, shortness of breath, chest pain, or extremely low urine output.


Can Uremia be Prevented?

The risk cannot always be reduced, however, in many cases, kidney disease can be detected at an early stage and its causes can be managed appropriately. Regular kidney tests should be done to people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney issues since early kidney disease may be asymptomatic.


Easy preventive measures are:

  • Maintain a normal blood pressure.
  • Keep blood sugar levels under control in case of diabetes.
  • Check in with yourself with the presence of kidney disease.
  • Take blood and urine tests as recommended.
  • Consult a doctor when swelling, fatigue, nausea or urine changes are persistent.

Final Thoughts

Uremia complications are not just “high urea.” The fact that the kidneys are not able to maintain balance in the body is a dangerous sign. It leads to nausea, weakness, swelling, itching, difficulty breathing, and thinking changes and is often an indication that kidney disease is at an advanced stage. The positive thing is that there are treatments such as dialysis, transplant and close medical care. The later the kidney disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that the disease will be slowed down before uremia sets in.


Please book an appointment with the best Nephrologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through Instacare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.