What does uremia refer to?

Uremia refers specifically to a buildup of waste products in the blood that typically occurs in patients with kidney dysfunction or failure. In a healthy individual, the kidneys effectively filter out toxins and excess substances, allowing them to be excreted in urine. However, when the kidneys are not functioning properly, such as in cases of chronic kidney disease or acute renal failure, these waste products accumulate in the bloodstream, leading to uremic symptoms.

These symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, itching, and changes in mental status, among others. Recognizing uremia is important in the context of hemodialysis, as one of the primary purposes of dialysis treatment is to remove these hazardous waste products from the blood to improve the patient's health and quality of life. Understanding this process is crucial for someone working as a hemodialysis technologist or technician, as it relates directly to the monitoring and management of patients undergoing dialysis therapy.