Symptoms of azotemia vary depending on the cause and may include high or low urine osmolality, polyuria, hematuria, hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia and thrombocytopenia. The main aim of treatment is to correct the cause and to avoid permanent kidney damage. The treatment includes drugs such as adrenergic agents, corticoids and diuretics. Azotemia symptoms can also include headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and delirium. The symptoms of azotemia may persist for several days, although they may be relieved by treatment.
Azotemia is an abnormally high level of nitrogenous waste products in the blood. These nitrogenous waste products act as poisons, reducing the function of the kidneys. They can also damage the tissues and organs. Azotemia is generally caused by a kidney disease. In many cases, the cause is not detected until significant damage has occurred. The kidneys are responsible for filtering blood, making urine to remove waste products. When the kidneys are damaged, the kidneys cannot filter blood effectively, and the waste products build up in the blood. Symptoms of kidney damage include darkening of the skin, swelling of the face, feet, and hands, difficulty sleeping and eating, appetite loss, and a bad taste in the mouth. Azotemia can also be caused by kidney stones.
Azotemia symptoms are usually present in people with chronic kidney failure. In these cases, the kidneys cannot filter blood effectively, leading to a high level of toxic nitrogenous waste products in the blood. Azotemia may also be caused by drugs, particularly nephrotoxins, such as antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticoids. Azotemia can also be caused if the kidneys are damaged by injury or disease. Symptoms of azotemia can vary from mild headache to muscle cramps and delirium. Medications such as oral anti-diabetic agents can also be used to treat the symptoms of azotemia. However, they may cause diarrhea, weight loss, and low blood sugar levels.
Other causes of azotemia include urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux. In the case of urinary tract infections, treatment is usually with antibiotics. Depending on the type of infection, the antibiotics may be prescribed intravenously or oral. The antibiotics are given until the symptoms have improved. If the infection is caused by a kidney disease, treatment may involve kidney dialysis.
Azotemia may occur in the presence of kidney stones or due to a condition that causes a decrease in the blood pressure to the kidneys. In these cases, a high level of nitrogenous waste products in the urine is caused by the kidneys not filtering enough blood. This causes a low blood pressure and high levels of serum urea and creatinine.
Azotemia may also be caused by an underlying disease, such as cancer or lupus. In this case, the azotemia symptoms are usually more severe than those of a kidney stone. Other causes of azotemia may include drug abuse, HIV infection, bilateral ureteral obstruction, and pelvic malignancy.
Various urinalysis tests are performed to diagnose azotemia. These include a creatinine test, a BUN test, and a urinalysis. The BUN:Creatinine ratio can help to differentiate azotemia caused by an underlying condition from that caused by the kidneys themselves. A high BUN:Creatinine ratio may indicate prerenal azotemia, whereas a low BUN:Creatinine ratio indicates intrarenal azotemia.
