Azotemia:

High levels of Blood Urea Nitrogen is called azotemia. It can also be seen in patients with GI bleed, Steroid therapy, high protein diet (particulary TPN).

Azotemia becomes uremia if it causes any of the following things:

1. Nausea
2. Metallic taste
3. Itching
4. Tremors
5. Asterixis
6. Altered sensorium
7. Pericarditis
8. Seizures

Indications for urgent dialysis include: YOU MUST know these

1. Resistant hyperkalemia
2. Volume overload
3. Fulminant acidosis
4. BUN >100 in association with uremic signs and symptoms
5. Pericarditis due to uremia - irrespective of the BUN level
6. Toxins e.g Lithium overdose or salicylate overdose etc.