Journal Article

Uremia

Meyer, Timothy W, Hostetter, Thomas H

2007

Overview

The meaning of uremia, which refers to the illness accompanying kidney failure that is unexplained by derangements in extracellular volume, inorganic ion concentrations, or lack of known renal synthetic products, has changed. We now assume that uremic illness is due largely to the accumulation of organic waste products, not all identified, that are normally cleared by the kidneys. This review considers the pathogenesis and course of uremia. We now assume that uremic illness is due largely to the accumulation of organic waste products, not all identified, that are normally cleared by the kidneys. This review considers the pathogenesis and course of uremia. Medical progress has altered the course and thus the definition of uremia, which once encompassed all the signs and symptoms of advanced kidney failure. Hypertension due to volume overload, hypocalcemic tetany, and anemia due to erythropoietin deficiency were once considered signs of uremia but were removed from this category as their causes were discovered. Today the term “uremia” is used loosely to describe the illness accompanying kidney failure that cannot be explained by derangements in extracellular volume, inorganic ion concentrations, or lack of known renal synthetic products. We now assume that uremic illness is due largely to the accumulation of . . .

• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Subject: Biological and medical sciences / Blood Urea Nitrogen / General aspects / Hemofiltration / Humans / Kidney Failure, Chronic - complications / Kidney Failure, Chronic - therapy / Medical sciences / Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases / Nephropathies. Renovascular diseases. Renal failure / Renal Dialysis / Renal failure / Uremia - diagnosis / Uremia - etiology / Uremia - physiopathology / Uremia - therapy / Urine - chemistry