Is high creatinine uremia?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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High creatinine levels do not necessarily indicate uremia.

High creatinine often implies that the patient is experiencing renal failure, which can be classified into acute renal failure and chronic renal failure based on factors such as the patient's medical history and course of the disease. Uremia is the final state of chronic renal failure. Thus, even if high creatinine levels suggest the possibility of chronic renal failure, it does not necessarily mean that the patient has reached the final stage.

Uremia, also known as end-stage renal disease, generally requires a patient's blood creatinine to exceed 707 µmol/L. Additionally, patients often simultaneously present with clinical manifestations such as renal anemia, disorders of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and reduction in kidney size.

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Written by Li Fang Xiao
Internal Medicine
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Early symptoms of uremia in women

Uremia is a terminal stage of many kidney diseases. In the early stages of uremia, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting related to the gastrointestinal tract often appear. Other symptoms can include itchy skin and a dull complexion. For women, complications such as menstrual disorders and irregular menstruation may occur. In such cases, it is necessary to go to the hospital to check kidney function and determine the specific levels of creatinine and urea. If creatinine exceeds 700, it generally reaches the level of uremia, requiring renal replacement therapy such as hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. For uremia, it is most important to control the intake of salt and water in the diet, avoid high-salt food, and also avoid drinking too much water to prevent fluid retention in the body, thereby endangering life, as this can lead to heart failure or severe edema.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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Symptoms of pre-uremia

The pre-uremic stage is the period of chronic renal failure. During the pre-uremic stage, many patients may have no symptoms at all. However, some patients do experience many uncomfortable symptoms, such as back soreness and weakness, fatigue, and feeling cold easily. During this stage, patients may also experience nausea and vomiting, especially pronounced nausea after waking up in the morning, as well as weight loss. Some patients in the pre-uremic stage exhibit symptoms of edema, which can occur in the eyelids, facial area, or in both lower limbs. Additionally, patients may experience feeling cold, anemia, and an increased frequency of urination at night. Of course, some patients may also experience itching of the skin on both lower limbs.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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What tests are involved in checking for uremia?

Uremia refers to the final stage of chronic renal failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease. Therefore, the first step in examining a patient with uremia is to check renal function. The patient's blood creatinine level must reach a certain level to diagnose uremia. Secondly, it is necessary to examine the urinary system through color Doppler ultrasound, and to conduct blood tests for routine blood indicators, electrolytes, parathyroid hormone, etc. The color Doppler ultrasound shows a reduction in kidney size, which provides evidence for the diagnosis of uremia. Patients with uremia often also suffer from various complications, including anemia, electrolyte disorders, hyperparathyroidism, and so on. Therefore, such patients also need to undergo examinations for routine blood parameters, electrolytes, and parathyroid hormone levels, among other indicators.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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How should uremia patients rest?

Adequate rest plays a very important role in the recovery of patients with uremia. If the condition of the uremia patient is in an acute phase, for example, if the patient feels palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath after activities, or even has obvious edema and high blood pressure, the patient should rest in bed and try to avoid getting out of bed. They should eat and take care of personal hygiene while in bed. If they feel chest tightness, they can also use oxygen. Once the condition of the uremia patient has stabilized, especially after undergoing hemodialysis treatment, and the symptoms of uremia have improved, they can rest out of bed and should ensure they get seven to eight hours of sleep daily. Only through sufficient sleep can the patient's mental state significantly improve. During the rest period, patients can also engage in appropriate recreational activities, such as outdoor walks, singing, and other activities.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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How do you get uremia?

Uremia is actually a state of disease, not an independent disease. It refers to the condition where, due to certain reasons, a patient has long-term chronic damage to the kidneys, leading to the destruction of kidney tissue. When about 90% of the kidney tissue is damaged, a large amount of metabolic waste accumulates inside the body because it cannot be excreted. There may also be retention of water and electrolyte and acid-base imbalances. This condition is referred to as uremia. Diseases that can damage kidney tissue to such a severe extent commonly include diabetes, hypertension, chronic nephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and various forms of cancer in the elderly, including multiple myeloma. Obstructive factors in the urinary system can also cause this outcome, such as urinary system stones, tumor prostate hyperplasia, leading to urinary tract obstruction, and so on.