Azotemia Chronic Kidney Disease: Causes, Signs And Treatment

Azotemia is a kind of nephrotoxicity caused by an excess of nitrogen molecules in the blood. It has the potential to harm the kidneys and induce acute renal failure in extreme situations.

There are 3 types of Azotemia:

• Pre-renal azotemia
• Intra-renal azotemia
• Post-renal azotemia

Pre-renal azotemia

Pre-renal azotemia is a condition where there is excess of nitrogen in the blood. This is brought on by the kidneys not receiving enough blood because of persistently low blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.

This is the most prevalent kind of azotemia and may commonly be reversed.

Intrarenal azotemia

Intrarenal azotemia is an excess of nitrogen in the blood produced by kidney injury that impairs their ability to eliminate nitrogen in the urine.

Post-renal azotemia

Post-renal azotemia is defined as an excess of nitrogen in the blood induced by a kidney obstruction that prevents urine from being discharged from the renal system. This might be due to an impediment such a stone, infection, tumor, or enlarged prostate gland.

What are the causes of Azotemia?

The kidneys regularly filter the blood in order to eliminate waste items and maintain electrolyte balance in the circulation. When the blood flow to the kidneys diminishes, so does the filtration rate, and as a result, waste materials accumulate in the blood and may reach hazardous levels.

• Lack of fluid flow through the kidneys to remove nitrogen (prerenal azotemia)

• Diabetes complications

• Blocked or ruptured urinary tract (postrenal azotemia) 

• Severe burns

• Dehydration

• Lowered blood volume

• Long-term diarrhea

• Heart failure

Symptoms of  azotemia may include:

• Muscle weakness
• Peripheral edema
• Nausea or vomiting
• Lack of appetite
• Infrequent urination
• Painful urination
• Discoloration of urine (dark or reddish)

Diagnosis of azotemia

Blood tests and urinalysis can help to diagnose azotemia and monitor kidney function. This might involve a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test, a creatinine test, or a 24-hour urine collection test.

Ultrasound and x-ray imaging can also be used to view the renal system and detect specific problems. A catheter can also be placed into the urethra to further evaluate severe or persistent episodes of azotemia.

Azotemia treatment

Azotemia is treated differently depending on its kind, underlying cause, and stage of development. In light of this, potential treatment may consist of:

• Increasing vegetable and fiber consumption to preserve bowel movements.
• Avoiding extra potassium and magnesium.
• Reducing carbohydrate consumption to manage blood glucose levels.
• Limiting protein consumption to 15-20% of total diet.

Many types of azotemia are curable and treatable if detected early. Other medical issues including pregnancy, on the other hand, might make therapy problematic.

Prerenal azotemia during pregnancy can result in severe kidney damage, endangering both the baby and the mother's health.

You should notify your doctor if you are pregnant and have a history of renal problems. Throughout your pregnancy, you should have your kidney function evaluated on a regular bases.