What is defined as the build-up of waste products in the blood?

The term that defines the build-up of waste products in the blood is uremia. This condition occurs when the kidneys are unable to effectively filter and eliminate waste materials, leading to the accumulation of toxins and electrolytes in the bloodstream. Uremia is typically associated with advanced kidney disease or failure, where the filtering capacity of the kidneys is significantly impaired.

In uremia, patients may exhibit a range of symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and changes in mental status, caused by the toxicity of the accumulated waste. It highlights the critical role of the kidneys in maintaining homeostasis and the impact on the body when their function deteriorates.

The other terms refer to different medical conditions: anemia is a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin; hyperkalemia refers to elevated potassium levels in the blood, which can occur in kidney failure; and hypokalemia indicates low potassium levels. While these conditions can also be linked to kidney function, they do not specifically denote the build-up of waste products, which is the hallmark of uremia.