Azotemia

Azotemia (nitrogen + Greek haima blood; synonym hyperazotemia) is a pathological condition characterized by an increased content of nitrogenous wastes in the blood.

Azotemia occurs when the excretory function of the kidneys is impaired, when products of nitrogen metabolism accumulate in the blood - urea, creatinine, uric acid, etc. The causes of azotemia may be acute and chronic renal failure, urolithiasis, kidney tumors, and dehydration.

Clinical manifestations of azotemia: weakness, irritability, headache, nausea, vomiting, convulsions. For diagnosis, a biochemical blood test is performed (determining the level of urea, creatinine, uric acid).

Treatment of azotemia involves eliminating the causes of impaired renal excretory function, restoring water and electrolyte balance, and prescribing a protein-restricted diet. For severe azotemia, hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is performed.

In medicine and biology. Azotemia is an increase in the concentration of urea or creatinine in the blood plasma. It is observed in various pathologies, such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood filtration, increased protein breakdown, and also as a complication during treatment with diuretics.

In physiology