What you should know about anuria

Anuria occurs when the kidneys stop producing urine - medicalnewstoday.com

Medicalnewstoday.com - Urination is a vital process and the result of the kidneys filtering and removing waste products, fluids, electrolytes, and other substances the body no longer wants or needs.

The substances that are waiting to be expelled back up in the body and are not removed if the kidneys cease working and urination stops. This blockage can cause other health problems and be life-threatening if not treated.

Anuria is diagnosed when the kidneys are producing less than 500 milliliters (mL) of urine each day. A usual daily urine output is between 1 to 2 liters for an adult.

Anuria is mostly caused by problems in the kidneys, but it can also result from problems in the heart.

Some of the causes of anuria include:

• Diabetes: When a person's blood sugar is consistently high, such as with uncontrolled diabetes, it can result in diabetic ketoacidosis, and damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys. This can cause acute renal failure and poor or absent urine production.
• Kidney stones: These stones can cause blockages in the kidneys or ureters, the tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urethra where it is passed out of the body. These blockages mean the urine is unable to exit the body.
• Kidney failure: Acute kidney failure occurs when the kidneys stop functioning and are unable to filter urine anymore.
• High blood pressure: Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys over time. Without treatment, high blood pressure can lead to permanent kidney damage and anuria.
• Tumors: A growth on or near the kidney can cause a blockage and keep urine from passing out of the body.
• Heart failure: When a person has heart failure the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body. Processes in the body kick in if there is not enough fluid in the blood vessels. One of these is the kidneys ceasing to make urine to hold on to extra fluid.

Anuria or not urinating is a symptom itself and not a medical condition. Sometimes, a person may also have signs of the condition that is causing the poor urine output.

The symptoms of kidney disease can include:

• swelling in the legs, feet, ankles, face
• rash or itching of the skin
• flank pain in the back or side
• nausea or vomiting
• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• difficulty concentrating
• fatigue

Symptoms of heart failure can include:

• shortness of breath
• swelling of the legs
• fatigue or dizziness
• nausea
• poor appetite
• high heart rate
• coughing or wheezing

Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

• excessive thirst
• dry mouth
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• fatigue
• confusion
• fruity odor on the breath

Anyone experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, or who has stopped urinating, should see their doctor immediately, or proceed to the nearest urgent care or emergency room.

Diagnosing anuria and its underlying cause starts with a thorough medical history and interview when a doctor will ask about the person's medical history and medication use.

The doctor will also ask about symptoms and changes in urination, including:

• swelling
• fatigue
• changes in appetite
• blood in the urine
• frequency of urination
• quantity of urine passed
• abdominal or flank pain

The doctor may suggest additional testing, such as blood testing for kidney function, urine testing for blood or sugar, a biopsy of the kidney or imaging tests, including X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans.

Hospitalization may be needed until a person's kidney function has been restored or the cause of the anuria is determined.

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