Azotemia Symptoms

It is observed that a number of elements and compounds constitute the blood. All these blood components are in proportion to that of volume of blood. Various studies have revealed that nitrogenous compounds form an integral part of blood composition. Azotemia is a condition in which these nitrogen type compounds are found in surplus amounts in the bloodstream. To be precise, a person suffering from azotemia has too much of nitrogen forming compounds in the blood. Thus, in this condition, nitrogen containing compounds like creatinine and urea are in excess.

Symptoms

As the normal range of nitrogenous compounds goes haywire, the person is likely to suffer from few health issues. The side effects of excessively high amount of nitrogen containing compounds in blood is certainly bothersome. It is observed that urine color drastically shifts in azotemia patients. Dark, reddish urine is the most common symptom of azotemia. Change in color of urine may be accompanied by difficulty in urinating. Some patients also experience decreased urine output. Besides painful urination, the patient may also show edema (accumulation of body fluids in the ankles). The excess build up of nitrogenous compounds eventually gets collected in the extremities such as elbows and the ankles. Other symptoms are given below:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Confusion
• Dry mouth
• Rapid pulse
• Elevated heart rate
• Decreased alertness
• Fluctuations in blood pressure
• Seizures
• Pale skin color

Causes

The occurrence of azotemia has been linked to kidney dysfunction. As we all know, the kidneys are involved in the filtration of blood. This filtration process separates excess nitrogen-type wastes from the blood, thereby helping to regulate the composition of blood. The surplus nitrogen compounds from the blood are then eliminated out of the body in the form of urine. If malfunctioning of the kidneys or kidney failure is responsible for abnormally high levels of nitrogenous compounds, the condition is referred as renal azotemia.

However, in some cases the person is diagnosed with azotemia, despite normal kidney function. This happens because the amount of blood flowing through the kidneys is less than normal. As a result, the volume of blood getting filtered is not enough to maintain normal levels of nitrogenous compounds. This condition resulting from reduced blood supply to the kidneys is referred to as prerenal azotemia.

There have been patients who had no kidney problems or suffered from improper blood flow to the kidneys but were still diagnosed with azotemia. A detailed study of their urinary system has revealed that these patients suffered from urinary obstruction. The blockages may be in the ureters or bladder passages due to formation of kidney stones. Other health issues that can obstruct urine flow are inflammation of kidneys or prostate gland. This condition arising from blocked urine flow is referred as postrenal azotemia.

Azotemia Vs Uremia

Uremia is a type of azotemia that is caused by decreased ability of the kidneys to filter blood which eventually leads to uremic poisoning. Thus, in uremia the patient is usually diagnosed with some kind of kidney disease. As a result, normal functioning of the kidneys takes a backseat. Thus, the damaged kidneys are unable to filter the blood properly. Whereas in other types of azotemia, the kidneys are perfectly fine. The problem arises due to reduced blood transportation to the kidneys or blockages in urine flow from the kidneys.

How to treat azotemia? Azotemia that is associated with kidney impairments requires urgent medical treatment. If treatment is ignored or not taken at the right time, it may cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. The doctor may also recommend techniques like hemodialysis in which impurities are extracted from the blood.

When one observes symptoms of azotemia in himself or herself, it is essential to seek medical advice as your doctor is the right person to make an informed judgment of the condition.