Anuria: what it is, causes and treatment

Anuria is the absence of urine production and elimination, and is considered a symptom of changes in the urinary system, such as urinary tract obstruction or acute kidney failure, for example, or a sign of uncontrolled diabetes and/or hypertension, for example. .

Thus, the diagnosis of anuria is made by the nephrologist based on observation of the set of signs and symptoms presented by the person, who, depending on the cause, may present fluid retention, difficulty urinating or frequent tiredness, for example.

Furthermore, to identify the cause of anuria, the doctor may request tests such as blood count, urinalysis and/or computed tomography, for example, being important to indicate the most appropriate treatment, which may involve correcting the condition. obstruction, stent placement or hemodialysis.

Main causes

The cause most frequently associated with anuria is acute renal failure, in which the kidney cannot filter the blood correctly, causing the accumulation of substances harmful to the body and leading to the appearance of some signs and symptoms such as pain in the lower back. , easy fatigue, shortness of breath and high blood pressure, for example. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of acute kidney failure.

Other possible causes of anuria are:

• Urinary tract obstruction due to the presence of stones, which prevents urine from being eliminated;
• Uncontrolled diabetesthis is because excess glucose can cause progressive damage to the kidneys, directly interfering with their function and resulting in acute renal failure, which is the most common cause of anuria;
• Changes in the prostatein the case of men, as it can cause changes in the urinary system due to the presence of tumors, for example;
• Kidney tumoras in addition to altering the functioning of the kidneys, it can also cause obstruction of the urinary tract;
• Hypertensionas there may, in the long term, change the function of the kidneys due to damage that may occur in the vessels around the kidneys.

It is important that the cause of anuria is identified so that the doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of anuria is made by a nephrologist or urologist according to signs and symptoms presented by the person that may be indicative of changes in the kidneys, such as fluid retention, difficulty urinating, frequent tiredness and the presence of blood in the urine when it is possible. elimination.

Furthermore, to confirm the cause of anuria, the doctor may also recommend carrying out blood tests, urinalysis, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or renal scintigraphy, in which the shape and functioning of the kidneys are assessed, which is important in diagnosis of kidney failure or identification of obstructions, for example. Understand what renal scintigraphy is and how it is performed.

How should the treatment be

The treatment of anuria is indicated by the doctor according to the cause, the signs and symptoms presented by the person and the person’s health status. Therefore, if anuria is caused by an obstruction in the urinary tract that prevents the elimination of urine, a surgical procedure may be recommended to correct the obstruction, favoring the elimination of urine, and the placement of a stent.

In the case of kidney failure, hemodialysis is normally recommended, because the blood needs to be filtered to prevent the accumulation of toxic substances in the body, which could worsen kidney failure. See how hemodialysis is performed.

As a last resort, when the insufficiency is more advanced and hemodialysis is not completely sufficient, the doctor may recommend a kidney transplant.

Furthermore, it is important that treatment for the underlying disease, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disorders, for example, is continued according to the doctor’s recommendation, as this makes it possible to avoid complications.