Uremia is a serious clinical syndrome of complete renal failure, representing the final stage of chronic kidney disease. Patients with uremia may exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and diarrhea; systemic symptoms such as skin itching, chills, fever, dry mouth, and frequent urination; many patients also experience elevated blood pressure, which can lead to headaches and dizziness; severe cases may present with agitation or coma as mental symptoms.
Uremia patients can be treated with hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation. Among these three methods, patients generally have a longer survival time, but comparatively, peritoneal dialysis is relatively less effective, while kidney transplantation is expensive and finding a suitable kidney source can be very difficult. Therefore, it is particularly important to take good care of our bodies and protect our organs before the onset of the disease.
Although medical technology has advanced significantly, many people still develop uremia. So why does uremia occur? The exact causes are not entirely clear, but they may be related to the following factors:
1. Hypertension
Patients with hypertension not only suffer from cardiovascular diseases but can also experience kidney damage; the heart, kidneys, and brain are all target organs of hypertension. About 5%-10% of hypertensive patients develop renal insufficiency. Thus, the control of blood pressure directly affects whether kidney function is impaired. Long-term high blood pressure can lead to insufficient renal blood perfusion, kidney ischemia, and hypoxia, eventually causing kidney failure.
Hypertension and kidney damage have a mutually causal relationship, so hypertensive patients should actively control their blood pressure to reduce kidney damage. Additionally, salt intake should be strictly controlled, as excessive salt consumption can lead to elevated blood pressure.
2. Diabetes
Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Research shows that one-third of diabetes patients may develop diabetic nephropathy, with incidence rates gradually increasing with the duration of the disease.
Since the early symptoms of diabetic nephropathy are not obvious, it is easily overlooked. As the condition progresses, proteinuria, hypertension, and ultimately kidney function failure leading to uremia may occur.
3. Hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia can damage the kidneys, leading to renal insufficiency, which can progress to uremia. Therefore, patients with hyperuricemia should pay attention to their dietary habits, controlling their diet and avoiding high-purine foods.
In particular, hyperuricemia patients should be cautious about the purine content in seafood to effectively prevent the sustained increase of uric acid causing damage to the kidneys, thereby leading to uremia.
Since the above factors may lead to uremia, patients with this disease should try to avoid these foods to prevent worsening of their condition.
1. Inappropriate use of medication
Drug abuse is already one of the potential causes of kidney damage leading to uremia, and continued abuse after contracting the disease will further burden the kidneys. Many individuals do not take their condition seriously; when their condition has not been effectively controlled, they purchase medications on their own, and some even blindly trust certain folk remedies. The use of such medications can place a significant burden on the kidneys and may seriously exacerbate uremia.
Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor before taking medications, allowing the doctor to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
2. Excessive protein intake
Generally, after a diagnosis of kidney-related diseases, doctors will advise patients to pay attention to their diet, such as controlling protein intake. A high-protein diet, such as that of fish, eggs, and milk, should be managed strictly, typically limiting it to 0.6 grams of high-quality protein per kilogram of body weight.
