What Are the Complications of Urmia

Uremia is also known as End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF). In uremia stage, the renal function declines below 5% and no wastes are excreted by kidneys. As a result, many body systems are affected by this server illness condition thus leading to a series of complications.

1. Effects on cardiovascular system

Fluid retention can cause excess burden to heart and may lead t congestive heart failure. As more renin hormone is secreted by kidneys, it can aggravate hypertension. Also if the potassium level is too high, it also can increase the risk of developing cardiac arrest.

2. Respiratory effects

If the persons with Uremia develop congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema, it is very likely to cause shortness of breath and tachypnea. Some people with Uremia may have ammoniacal odour in mouth because the urea is converted to ammonia in saliva.

3. Bone problem

Disordered vitamin D metabolism can cause poor absorption of calcium from the daily diet. As more parathyroid hormone is produced, it can leach more calcium from bone. As a result, the persons with Uremia often have bone problems.

4. Metabolic disorder

In the cases of Uremia, the kidneys are impaired extremely seriously, they are unable to excrete wastes products normally and maintain electrolyte balance normally.

5. Skin problems

The persons with Uremia may have skin color change, skin itching, dry skin and uremic frost on skin. These skin problems are mainly associated with accumulation of uremic wastes in body and the imbalance of the electrolytes.

6. Effects on nerve system

Most of the persons with Uremia may experience sleep disorder. In severe cases, they may have impaired concentration and memory, sometimes mental confusion due to cerebral edema.


As Uremia can cause so many life threatening complications, it is very urgent for the patients to receive effective treatment as early as possible. If they can improve their renal function to 15%, it is definitely possible for them to avoid dialysis or kidney transplant.