Precursors of uremia

Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
Updated on February 14, 2025
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The kidneys have a very strong compensatory ability. When kidney function is slightly impaired, they can generally still handle the basic physiological functions of the human body through compensation, so patients may feel that everything is normal. Despite the fact that the occurrence and development of uremia is a long and gradually worsening process, which can sometimes be very severe, it is still possible to detect early signs of uremia if one actively seeks them out early on. Early indications of uremia can be identified in time by going to the hospital for urine and blood tests. The early signs of uremia often manifest as general fatigue, which is the symptom most easily overlooked. Other symptoms of early uremia include edema, especially noticeable swelling of the eyelids and facial area after waking up in the morning. If it develops into systemic or persistent edema, the condition is already very serious. Additionally, early-stage uremia patients may also experience an increase in the frequency of nocturnal urination and more foam in the urine, as well as increased blood pressure, and even dizziness, headaches, and a lack of appetite. These are all early signs of uremia.

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Can uremia be cured?

First, it is necessary to clarify the cause and the severity, so it is important to visit the nephrology department for comprehensive tests. Once the cause is determined, the next steps can be planned based on the results, and dialysis may be necessary if required. If there is no improvement, treatments such as kidney transplantation can be considered. It is also crucial to rest, avoid fatigue, reduce activities, especially strenuous activities, maintain a positive mood, adjust your mentality, and have regular follow-ups. Therefore, this issue needs to be actively addressed, as it can be very troublesome to manage and the prognosis may be very poor if not taken seriously.

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What causes uremia?

Uremia is very common in clinical practice. It is mainly caused by abnormal kidney functions, leading to abnormalities in glomerular filtration, as well as in the reabsorption and secretion functions of the renal tubules, which results in a series of symptoms. Once uremia occurs, it can disrupt the internal environment of the body, cause electrolyte abnormalities, and even lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Uremia is very dangerous in clinical practice and often requires regular hemodialysis treatment. Therefore, once uremia occurs, medical attention must be sought promptly.

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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.

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Is uremia serious?

Uremia is very serious. For patients with uremia who wish to be cured, the current method is to undergo kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation is currently considered the best method for treating uremia. If no suitable kidney source is found, or economic conditions do not allow, or for some other reasons, it is recommended that patients undergo dialysis. Dialysis is also quite expensive, but if economic conditions permit, and physical health and mood among other factors allow, patients with uremia who undergo regular dialysis can generally have their lives extended by several years. It is not uncommon to see reports of lives being extended by more than a decade.

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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.