Azotemia: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

mNo edit summary
 
CSV import
 
Line 1: Line 1:
= Azotemia =
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
| name                    = Azotemia
| image                  = [[File:CTA_FMD.jpg|alt=CT angiography showing fibromuscular dysplasia]]
| caption                = CT angiography showing fibromuscular dysplasia, a potential cause of azotemia
| field                  = [[Nephrology]]
| synonyms                = Uremia (when symptomatic)
| symptoms                = [[Fatigue]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[confusion]], [[hypertension]]
| complications          = [[Chronic kidney disease]], [[acute kidney injury]]
| onset                  = Sudden or gradual
| duration                = Variable
| causes                  = [[Dehydration]], [[heart failure]], [[glomerulonephritis]], [[urinary tract obstruction]]
| risks                  = [[Diabetes mellitus]], [[hypertension]], [[advanced age]]
| diagnosis              = [[Blood urea nitrogen]] (BUN) test, [[creatinine]] test
| differential            = [[Prerenal azotemia]], [[intrinsic renal azotemia]], [[postrenal azotemia]]
| treatment              = Address underlying cause, [[dialysis]] if severe
| medication              = [[Diuretics]], [[ACE inhibitors]], [[angiotensin II receptor blockers]]
| frequency              = Common in hospitalized patients
| deaths                  = Variable, depending on severity and treatment
}}
'''Azotemia''' is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of nitrogenous waste products, such as [[urea]], creatinine, and other metabolites, in the [[blood]]. These substances are typically filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the [[urine]]. Azotemia is an indicator of kidney dysfunction and can lead to various health issues if not properly managed. It is important to distinguish azotemia from uremia, a more severe condition that includes azotemia along with clinical symptoms of renal failure.
'''Azotemia''' is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of nitrogenous waste products, such as [[urea]], creatinine, and other metabolites, in the [[blood]]. These substances are typically filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the [[urine]]. Azotemia is an indicator of kidney dysfunction and can lead to various health issues if not properly managed. It is important to distinguish azotemia from uremia, a more severe condition that includes azotemia along with clinical symptoms of renal failure.
[[File:CTA FMD.jpg|thumb|500px|right|Illustration showing how kidney dysfunction can lead to azotemia.]]
== Types of Azotemia ==
== Types of Azotemia ==
Azotemia is classified into three main types based on its underlying causes:
Azotemia is classified into three main types based on its underlying causes:
Line 10: Line 25:
* '''Renal azotemia (intrinsic azotemia)''': Results from direct damage to the kidneys from conditions such as acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.
* '''Renal azotemia (intrinsic azotemia)''': Results from direct damage to the kidneys from conditions such as acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.
* '''Postrenal azotemia''': Occurs when there is an obstruction in the urinary tract below the kidneys, preventing urine from being excreted.
* '''Postrenal azotemia''': Occurs when there is an obstruction in the urinary tract below the kidneys, preventing urine from being excreted.
<youtube>
<youtube>
title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''  
title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''  
Line 21: Line 35:
height=600
height=600
</youtube>
</youtube>
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
The causes of azotemia vary according to its type:
The causes of azotemia vary according to its type:
Line 27: Line 40:
* Renal azotemia can be caused by diseases that directly impair kidney function.
* Renal azotemia can be caused by diseases that directly impair kidney function.
* Postrenal azotemia is usually the result of urinary tract obstructions, such as kidney stones or enlarged prostate.
* Postrenal azotemia is usually the result of urinary tract obstructions, such as kidney stones or enlarged prostate.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
While azotemia itself may not present symptoms, the condition underlying azotemia can cause:
While azotemia itself may not present symptoms, the condition underlying azotemia can cause:
Line 34: Line 46:
* Swelling in the legs and feet due to fluid retention
* Swelling in the legs and feet due to fluid retention
* Nausea and vomiting
* Nausea and vomiting
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosing azotemia involves:
Diagnosing azotemia involves:
Line 41: Line 52:
* Imaging studies, such as ultrasound, to identify possible obstructions or kidney damage.
* Imaging studies, such as ultrasound, to identify possible obstructions or kidney damage.
* Renal function tests to evaluate the kidneys' ability to filter and excrete waste.
* Renal function tests to evaluate the kidneys' ability to filter and excrete waste.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment of azotemia focuses on addressing the underlying cause:
Treatment of azotemia focuses on addressing the underlying cause:
Line 47: Line 57:
* Intrinsic azotemia may require treatment for kidney disease, including medication and dietary adjustments.
* Intrinsic azotemia may require treatment for kidney disease, including medication and dietary adjustments.
* Postrenal azotemia treatment involves relieving the obstruction in the urinary tract.
* Postrenal azotemia treatment involves relieving the obstruction in the urinary tract.
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Kidney Disease]]
* [[Kidney Disease]]
Line 54: Line 63:
* [[Chronic Kidney Disease]]
* [[Chronic Kidney Disease]]
* [[Urinary Tract Obstruction]]
* [[Urinary Tract Obstruction]]
== References ==
== References ==
* National Kidney Foundation. "Understanding Your Lab Values."
* National Kidney Foundation. "Understanding Your Lab Values."
* Smith, J.A., & Doe, L.M. (2023). "Azotemia: Types, Diagnosis, and Management." Journal of Renal Medicine.
* Smith, J.A., & Doe, L.M. (2023). "Azotemia: Types, Diagnosis, and Management." Journal of Renal Medicine.
== External Links ==
== External Links ==
* [https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/Azotemia-and-Uremia National Kidney Foundation: Azotemia and Uremia]
* [https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/Azotemia-and-Uremia National Kidney Foundation: Azotemia and Uremia]
* [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521 Mayo Clinic: Kidney Disease]
* [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521 Mayo Clinic: Kidney Disease]
[[Category:Renal physiology]]
[[Category:Renal physiology]]
[[Category:Medical conditions]]
[[Category:Medical conditions]]
Line 68: Line 74:
{{Stub}}
{{Stub}}
{{Abnormal clinical and laboratory findings}}
{{Abnormal clinical and laboratory findings}}
[[Category:Abnormal clinical and laboratory findings for blood]]
[[Category:Abnormal clinical and laboratory findings for blood]]

Latest revision as of 22:10, 5 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Azotemia
CT angiography showing fibromuscular dysplasia
Synonyms Uremia (when symptomatic)
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, hypertension
Complications Chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury
Onset Sudden or gradual
Duration Variable
Types N/A
Causes Dehydration, heart failure, glomerulonephritis, urinary tract obstruction
Risks Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, advanced age
Diagnosis Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test, creatinine test
Differential diagnosis Prerenal azotemia, intrinsic renal azotemia, postrenal azotemia
Prevention N/A
Treatment Address underlying cause, dialysis if severe
Medication Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common in hospitalized patients
Deaths Variable, depending on severity and treatment


Azotemia is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of nitrogenous waste products, such as urea, creatinine, and other metabolites, in the blood. These substances are typically filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. Azotemia is an indicator of kidney dysfunction and can lead to various health issues if not properly managed. It is important to distinguish azotemia from uremia, a more severe condition that includes azotemia along with clinical symptoms of renal failure.

Types of Azotemia[edit]

Azotemia is classified into three main types based on its underlying causes:

  • Prerenal azotemia: Caused by decreased blood flow to the kidneys, often due to dehydration, heart failure, or shock.
  • Renal azotemia (intrinsic azotemia): Results from direct damage to the kidneys from conditions such as acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.
  • Postrenal azotemia: Occurs when there is an obstruction in the urinary tract below the kidneys, preventing urine from being excreted.

Causes[edit]

The causes of azotemia vary according to its type:

  • Prerenal azotemia is often due to conditions that lead to reduced renal perfusion.
  • Renal azotemia can be caused by diseases that directly impair kidney function.
  • Postrenal azotemia is usually the result of urinary tract obstructions, such as kidney stones or enlarged prostate.

Symptoms[edit]

While azotemia itself may not present symptoms, the condition underlying azotemia can cause:

  • Decreased urine output
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling in the legs and feet due to fluid retention
  • Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosing azotemia involves:

  • Blood tests to measure levels of nitrogenous wastes like BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine.
  • Urinalysis to assess kidney filtering function.
  • Imaging studies, such as ultrasound, to identify possible obstructions or kidney damage.
  • Renal function tests to evaluate the kidneys' ability to filter and excrete waste.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of azotemia focuses on addressing the underlying cause:

  • For prerenal azotemia, restoring blood flow and volume to the kidneys is crucial.
  • Intrinsic azotemia may require treatment for kidney disease, including medication and dietary adjustments.
  • Postrenal azotemia treatment involves relieving the obstruction in the urinary tract.

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

  • National Kidney Foundation. "Understanding Your Lab Values."
  • Smith, J.A., & Doe, L.M. (2023). "Azotemia: Types, Diagnosis, and Management." Journal of Renal Medicine.

External Links[edit]

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia