Anuria is a kidney disorder that causes the body to be unable to produce urine. A person is said to have anuria if he has not urinated in the last 12 hours. Anuria is a serious health problem that needs to be treated by a doctor.
Generally, healthy and normally working kidneys can produce up to 1–2 liters of urine per day. Urine contains metabolic wastes and excess fluids in the body that need to be removed.
If urine is not excreted by the body, these substances and fluids can accumulate and cause health problems.
Various kinds of diseases that cause anuria
The condition of anuria or the body's inability to produce urine can be caused by several diseases or medical conditions, such as:
1. Kidney failure
Kidney failure is a condition when the kidneys cannot function, so urine cannot be produced. Kidney failure can occur suddenly (acute kidney failure) or gradually and slowly, causing long-term kidney damage (chronic kidney failure).
The condition of anuria or the absence of urine produced indicates that the kidneys are no longer able to function at all. Kidney failure, both acute and chronic, is a condition that requires immediate medical attention.
2. Kidney stones
Kidney stones are a condition when mineral substances in the urine settle and accumulate, forming stones. Kidney stones are small and can pass by themselves through the urinary tract.
However, large kidney stones can block the urinary tract or bladder and block the passage of urine.
3. Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is a condition characterized by a gradual decline in kidney function. If chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, kidney failure can occur which causes a buildup of fluids, electrolytes, and metabolic waste substances in the body.
4. Kidney tumors
Tumors or kidney cancer can interfere with kidney function in producing urine. In addition, tumors that grow in the kidneys can also suppress and block the channel where urine flows. This condition makes kidney tumors can cause anuria.
5. Diabetes
If diabetes is not controlled or left untreated, over time the condition can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. This can interfere with blood flow to the kidneys, so the kidneys cannot produce urine properly.
Diabetic conditions that are not controlled and have caused complications in the form of kidney damage are known as diabetic nephropathy.
6. High blood
The kidneys are surrounded by many blood vessels. If a person has high blood pressure (hypertension), this condition over time can cause the blood vessels around the kidneys to narrow, weaken, or harden.
These damaged blood vessels are eventually unable to provide enough blood to the kidney tissue, so the kidneys lose their function and cannot produce urine.
7. Urinary retention
Urinary retention is a disorder of the bladder that makes it difficult for sufferers to pass urine.
There are several causes of urinary retention, including blockages in the urinary tract due to enlarged prostate or bladder stones, infections of the urinary tract or bladder, disorders of the nerves or muscles that regulate the process of urination, and side effects of drugs.
Some Ways to Treat Anuria
Anuria can be caused by many things. Therefore, in order to be treated properly, this condition needs to be diagnosed first by a doctor.
To diagnose anuria and determine the cause, the doctor can perform a physical examination and supporting examinations, such as blood tests, urine tests, kidney biopsies, and radiological examinations, such as ultrasound, X-rays, pyelography, and MRI or CT scan of the kidneys.
After the cause of anuria experienced by the patient is known, the doctor can provide treatment or medication to treat anuria in the form of:
Administration of drugs
The administration of drugs will be adjusted to the cause of the anuria. For example, to treat anuria caused by diabetes and hypertension, doctors may prescribe medications to reduce blood sugar and blood pressure levels and keep them stable.
Dialysis
Anuria is quite common in people with severe kidney disease or kidney failure. Therefore, to replace damaged kidney function, doctors can perform dialysis procedures or dialysis to remove fluids and metabolic waste substances from the body.
Operation
To treat anuria caused by tumors or kidney stones, doctors may perform surgery. To destroy kidney stones that block the urinary tract, doctors can also perform ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) to break up kidney stones.
In cases of anuria due to end-stage renal failure or a condition when the kidneys have been permanently damaged and no longer work, the doctor may suggest kidney transplant surgery to restore kidney function.
Meanwhile, for kidney tumor conditions, doctors may recommend chemotherapy or radiation therapy, in addition to surgery. However, this depends on the size and type of tumor. Kidney transplantation is considered as a last resort to treat kidney disorders.
Urinary catheter insertion
Anuria caused by a blockage or disturbance in the process of removing urine, for example due to urinary retention, can be treated with a urinary catheter. After the catheter is installed, the flow of urine from the patient's body will come out automatically.
To prevent anuria, you need to maintain kidney health by living a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious foods, limiting excessive salt and sugar consumption, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, and avoiding the habit of frequently holding back urination.
Anuria is a health problem that should not be taken lightly. When experiencing anuria, you need to immediately consult a doctor to undergo an examination and get the right treatment.