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Uremia, as the name sounds a little chilling, is actually called "end-stage chronic renal failure", which is a complex of symptoms caused by severe kidney failure.
If something goes wrong with the kidneys, which are small but responsible for important detoxification functions, the metabolic balance of the entire body will be affected.
Patients with uremia experience a variety of discomforts, including but not limited to nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and more serious complications such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
Why should uremia be detected early, because early treatment can greatly reduce the condition, delay the course of the disease, and may even avoid the need for long-term dialysis or kidney transplantation.
This requires us to be alert to the early symptoms of uremia. Usually we do a blood routine and urine routine examination, which may be able to detect early signs of renal insufficiency, such as proteinuria or abnormal blood creatinine levels.
At this point, you may be asking, what does the title mean by "just look at the legs"? Yes, uremia can produce some special changes in the patient's legs in some cases.
The most common leg change is edema. When the kidneys are insufficiency, water and sodium in the body cannot be effectively excreted, and they accumulate in the body, manifesting as significant swelling of the legs, feet, and even eyelids.
If you find that your shoes suddenly become tight, or if your legs are not healed by dents, this could be a warning sign of uremia.
Another leg change is a noticeable change in the skin. Kidney failure can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body, which can affect the health of the skin, causing dryness, itching, and even pigmentation.
Some patients also develop a rash or other types of skin abnormalities. These changes may not be as noticeable as edema, but they should also be noticed if you notice a difference in the condition of the skin on your legs, such as darkening or becoming unusually dry.
In addition to the obvious changes in the legs, uremia patients will also experience a range of other physical symptoms, which are also important warnings about the patient's health status.
Fatigue and fatigue are common symptoms of kidney failure. When the kidneys are not able to effectively remove toxins from the body, the metabolic efficiency of the whole body decreases, resulting in insufficient energy utilization.
Patients experience persistent fatigue and weakness, which is different from normal exertion and is often difficult to relieve with rest. People with kidney disease often have anemia because the kidneys' ability to make erythropoietin (a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells) is reduced, further exacerbating fatigue.
Breathing problems are also one of the more serious symptoms of uremia. Due to fluid management disorders, patients may develop fluid accumulation in the lungs, which manifests as shortness of breath and shortness of breath after exertion. This symptom requires special attention as it can lead to acute heart and lung problems that require immediate medical intervention.
Oral changes are also a common problem in people with kidney failure. People may feel a metallic taste in their mouth, or they may have bad breath. This is due to an increase in the level of urea in the blood, some of which is broken down into ammonia in saliva, resulting in a foul smell in the mouth.
Dry inflammation of the oral cavity and mucous membranes is also a common problem, and these symptoms not only affect appetite but can also trigger infections in the mouth.
There are many ways to treat uremia, including medication, dialysis and kidney transplantation. Medication is used to control symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Diuretics can help flush out excess water and reduce edema, while medications that regulate electrolyte balance can avoid heart and muscle problems caused by electrolyte imbalances.
Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are two common types of dialysis. Hemodialysis uses a machine to remove waste products and excess water from the blood, while peritoneal dialysis uses the patient's peritoneum as a filter to remove these toxins.
Both approaches have their advantages and limitations, and the choice of one over often depends on the patient's specific condition and lifestyle.
Kidney transplantation is one of the cures for uremia. By transplanting a healthy kidney to replace a failing kidney, a patient's quality of life can be significantly improved. Kidney transplantation requires finding a suitable donor, and postoperative patients need to take immunosuppressive drugs for a long time to prevent rejection.
Treatment of uremia is a long-term and complex process that requires close collaboration between the patient, family, and the medical team. For patients, in addition to following the doctor's instructions for standard treatment, dietary management and appropriate physical activity in daily life are also very important.
A diet low in salt and protein can reduce the burden on the kidneys, and avoiding foods high in potassium and phosphorus can also help maintain electrolyte balance. Moderate physical activity can improve physical fitness and strengthen the body's resistance to disease.
Health education is also indispensable in the management of uremia. The care team should provide enough information to let the patient know about their condition, including the development of the disease, treatments, and possible complications.
A full understanding of the condition can help patients better cooperate with treatment, adjust their lifestyle, and be mentally prepared for various situations that may arise during treatment.
Regular blood and urine tests are indispensable when it comes to disease monitoring. These tests help doctors evaluate the current status of kidney function and the effectiveness of treatment, and adjust treatment plans in a timely manner.
Monitoring heart health and vascular condition is also extremely important for uremia patients, especially those on dialysis, as these patients are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
The mental health of uremia patients is also a concern. Long-term illness stress, inconvenience from treatment, and reduced quality of life can all contribute to anxiety and depression.
The medical team should provide the necessary psychological support or advise the patient to seek professional psychological counseling to improve the overall well-being of the patient.
Uremia is a chronic disease that requires comprehensive management. From early warning signs to long-term treatment management, patients need to make a full range of physical and psychological adjustments under the guidance of a medical professional.
Finally, do you have any experiences and opinions that you would like to share?