Uremic fetor: Difference between revisions

Uremic fetor
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Ammonia or urine-like odor of the breath
Complications	N/A
Onset	N/A
Duration	N/A
Types	N/A
Causes	Chronic kidney disease, Uremia
Risks	N/A
Diagnosis	N/A
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Dialysis, Kidney transplant
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	N/A
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 23:50, 11 December 2024

A clinical sign associated with chronic kidney disease

Uremic fetor is a distinctive odor of the breath that is often associated with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and uremia. This condition is characterized by a urine-like or ammonia-like smell, which is caused by the accumulation of waste products in the blood that are normally eliminated by the kidneys.

Pathophysiology[edit]

Uremic fetor occurs due to the buildup of nitrogenous waste products in the bloodstream, a condition known as uremia. In healthy individuals, the kidneys filter out these waste products, but in patients with impaired kidney function, these substances accumulate. The primary compounds responsible for the odor are ammonia and other nitrogenous waste products, which are excreted through the lungs, leading to the characteristic breath odor.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Uremic fetor is an important clinical sign that can indicate the presence of significant renal impairment. It is often observed in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease or those who are in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The presence of uremic fetor can prompt further investigation into the patient's renal function and may necessitate interventions such as dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of uremic fetor is primarily clinical, based on the characteristic odor of the patient's breath. It is often accompanied by other signs and symptoms of uremia, such as fatigue, nausea, and confusion. Laboratory tests, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels, are used to assess the degree of renal impairment and confirm the diagnosis of uremia.

Management[edit]

The management of uremic fetor involves addressing the underlying cause, which is typically advanced kidney disease. Treatment options include:

Dialysis: This is a procedure that artificially removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood, thereby reducing the symptoms of uremia, including uremic fetor.
Kidney Transplantation: In suitable candidates, a kidney transplant can restore normal kidney function and eliminate the symptoms of uremia.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for patients with uremic fetor depends on the underlying cause and the effectiveness of the treatment. With appropriate management, including dialysis or transplantation, patients can experience significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life.

Also see[edit]

Health science - Medicine - Nephrology - edit
Diseases of the glomerulus
Lupus nephritis \| Post-infectious glomerulonephritis \| Minimal change disease \| Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis \| Diabetic nephropathy
Diseases of the proximal convoluted tubules
Fanconi syndrome (Type II renal tubular acidosis) \| renal cell carcinoma
Diseases of the distal convoluted tubules
pseudohypoaldosteronism (Type IV renal tubular acidosis)
Diseases of the collecting duct
Type I renal tubular acidosis
Tumours of the kidney
renal cell carcinoma \| Wilms' tumour (children)
Diseases of the renal vasculature
renal artery stenosis \| vasculitis \| atheroembolic disease
Tubulointerstitial diseases of the kidney
Drug-induced interstitial nephritis \| Obstructive nephropathy \| Radiation nephritis \| Reflux nephropathy \| Sarcoidosis
Genetic diseases of the kidney/syndromes associated with kidney dysfunction
Alport syndrome \| Polycystic kidney disease \| Wilms' tumour (children) von Hippel-Lindau syndrome \| Hereditary papillary renal carcinoma \| Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome \| Hereditary renal carcinoma
Chronic kidney disease and related conditions
Chronic Kidney Disease Anemia in CKD \| Causes of CKD \| CKD Overview \| CKD Tests and Diagnosis \| Diabetic Kidney Disease \| Eating Right for CKD \| High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease \| Managing CKD \| Mineral and Bone Disorder in CKD \| Nutrition for Advanced CKD in Adults \| Preventing CKD \| Quick Reference on UACR & GFR Kidney Failure Eating and Nutrition for Hemodialysis \| Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure \| Hemodialysis \| Kidney Failure \| Kidney Transplant \| Peritoneal Dialysis Other Kidney Topics Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease \| Amyloidosis and Kidney Disease \| Diabetes Insipidus \| Ectopic Kidney \| Glomerular Diseases \| Goodpasture Syndrome \| Henoch-Schönlein Purpura \| IgA Nephropathy \| Kidney Dysplasia \| Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis) \| Kidney Stones \| Lupus Nephritis \| Medullary Sponge Kidney \| Nephrotic Syndrome in Adults \| Pain Medicine and Kidney Damage \| Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) \| Renal Artery Stenosis \| Renal Tubular Acidosis \| Simple Kidney Cysts \| Solitary Kidney \| Your Kidneys and How They Work \| Your Urinary Tract and How It Works

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Uremic fetor is a urine-like odor on the breath of people with uremia. The odor occurs from the smell of ammonia, which is created in the saliva as a breakdown product of urea. Uremic fetor is usually associated with an unpleasant metallic taste (dysgeusia) and can be a symptom of chronic kidney disease. People with uremia can also develop anorexia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
+{{Short description|A clinical sign associated with chronic kidney disease}}
-==Symptoms==
+{{Infobox medical condition
-* These symptoms can follow gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, or mucosal ulcerations at any level of the gastrointestinal tract in persons with uremia.Uremic fetor is a well-known and recognizable feature of advanced kidney disease.
+| name = Uremic fetor
-* The accumulation of uremic toxins in the bloodstream results in an unpleasant and persistent odor, which can be a source of embarrassment for affected individuals.
+| image =
-* Uremic fetor is not limited to the breath; it can also be present on the skin, sweat, and other bodily secretions.
+| caption =
-==Mechanism==
+| field = Nephrology
-* The exact mechanism by which uremic fetor develops is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the metabolism of urea and other nitrogenous waste products in the body.
+| symptoms = Ammonia or urine-like odor of the breath
-* These substances are normally excreted by the kidneys, but in advanced kidney disease, they build up in the bloodstream, resulting in the characteristic odor. Additionally, the decrease in salivary flow and changes in the oral microbiome in patients with kidney disease may also contribute to the development of uremic fetor.
+| causes = [[Chronic kidney disease]], [[Uremia]]
-==Impact==
+| treatment = Dialysis, Kidney transplant
-* Uremic fetor can have a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals with advanced kidney disease.
+}}
-* It can lead to social isolation, depression, and decreased self-esteem.
-* Therefore, managing uremic fetor is an important aspect of the care of patients with kidney disease.
+'''Uremic fetor''' is a distinctive odor of the breath that is often associated with advanced [[chronic kidney disease]] (CKD) and [[uremia]]. This condition is characterized by a urine-like or ammonia-like smell, which is caused by the accumulation of waste products in the blood that are normally eliminated by the kidneys.
-==Treatment==
-* Treatment of uremic fetor involves managing the underlying kidney disease through medications, dialysis, or kidney transplantation.
+==Pathophysiology==
-* Additionally, good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and the use of mouthwash, may help to minimize the odor.
+Uremic fetor occurs due to the buildup of nitrogenous waste products in the bloodstream, a condition known as [[uremia]]. In healthy individuals, the kidneys filter out these waste products, but in patients with impaired kidney function, these substances accumulate. The primary compounds responsible for the odor are [[ammonia]] and other nitrogenous waste products, which are excreted through the lungs, leading to the characteristic breath odor.
-* In some cases, the use of specialty products, such as charcoal-based mouthwashes or zinc supplements, may be helpful in reducing the intensity of uremic fetor.
-==References==
+==Clinical Significance==
-* Kruljac I, Martinović V, Ćorić M, et al. Uremic Fetor: A Review of the Literature. Acta Clin Croat. 2018 Dec;57(4):750-754. doi: 10.20471/acc.2018.57.04.22.
+Uremic fetor is an important clinical sign that can indicate the presence of significant renal impairment. It is often observed in patients with advanced [[chronic kidney disease]] or those who are in [[end-stage renal disease]] (ESRD). The presence of uremic fetor can prompt further investigation into the patient's renal function and may necessitate interventions such as [[dialysis]] or [[kidney transplantation]].
-* Gambaro G, Vianello A, Valenti M, et al. Uremic breath: a marker of the diseased kidney. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2019 Jan;28(1):1-7. doi: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000454.
-* Yaghmai V, Behzadi AH. Uremic Fetor: An Overview of Pathogenesis and Management. J Nephropathol. 2015 Oct;4(4):117-20. doi: 10.12860/jnp.2015.21.
+==Diagnosis==
-{{stub}}
+The diagnosis of uremic fetor is primarily clinical, based on the characteristic odor of the patient's breath. It is often accompanied by other signs and symptoms of uremia, such as fatigue, nausea, and confusion. Laboratory tests, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels, are used to assess the degree of renal impairment and confirm the diagnosis of uremia.
-[[Category:Medical signs]]
+==Management==
+The management of uremic fetor involves addressing the underlying cause, which is typically advanced kidney disease. Treatment options include:
+* '''[[Dialysis]]''': This is a procedure that artificially removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood, thereby reducing the symptoms of uremia, including uremic fetor.
+* '''[[Kidney Transplantation]]''': In suitable candidates, a kidney transplant can restore normal kidney function and eliminate the symptoms of uremia.
+==Prognosis==
+The prognosis for patients with uremic fetor depends on the underlying cause and the effectiveness of the treatment. With appropriate management, including dialysis or transplantation, patients can experience significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life.
+==Also see==
+* [[Chronic kidney disease]]
+* [[Uremia]]
+* [[Dialysis]]
+* [[Kidney transplantation]]
+{{Nephrology}}
 [[Category:Nephrology]]
+[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Respiratory system]]
+[[Category:Kidney diseases]]

Uremic fetor

Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Ammonia or urine-like odor of the breath
Complications	N/A
Onset	N/A
Duration	N/A
Types	N/A
Causes	Chronic kidney disease, Uremia
Risks	N/A
Diagnosis	N/A
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Dialysis, Kidney transplant
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	N/A
Deaths	N/A