Uremic encephalopathy (UE) can cause acquired brain injury. The condition is one of the common causes of acquired brain injury. Uremic encephalopathy is a complication of renal failure that leads to cerebral dysfunction.
Uremic encephalopathy is an accumulation of toxins which pass through the blood barrier to cause either heightened or reduced cerebral activity depending on how the brain reacts to the toxins.
Symptoms of Uremic Encephalopathy
Cerebral and other physical symptoms of uremic encephalopathy include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or drowsiness
- Disorientation
- Delirium
If doctors do not treat the condition in the early stages, you may also suffer from myoclonus (seizures) or enter into a coma.
Diagnosis of Uremic Encephalopathy
Doctors look for clinical signs of acquired brain injury by performing cognitive tests, renal function evaluations, and chemical analysis of blood serum. You may also undergo cerebral functional imaging, which diagnoses the effects of uremic encephalopathy on the brain.
Treatment for Uremic Encephalopathy
Treatment for uremic encephalopathy may include the following:
Hemodialysis
A dialysis machine removes the toxins from your blood. The doctor performs a surgical procedure to insert the machine into the blood vessels and initiate the process.
Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis utilizes the peritoneum (lining of your abdomen) to filter the blood as it flows through your circulatory system. A surgeon inserts a catheter in your abdomen to initiate the process.
When you start treatment, dialysis solution—water with salt and other additives—flows from a bag through the catheter into your abdomen. When the bag is empty, you disconnect it and place a cap on your catheter. The dialysis solution inside your abdomen absorbs waste and extra fluid from your body.
Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplants are surgical procedures that place a healthy kidney from a donor into a person whose kidneys malfunction.
Uremic Encephalopathy Prevention
If you are currently experiencing end-stage renal failure, you may be able to prevent uremic encephalopathy by undergoing dialysis treatments. Dialysis filters the waste out of your blood, assisting the kidneys with this function.
You should also maintain a healthy diet that is free from foods high in sodium, potassium, and phosphate. A doctor-approved exercise regimen may also improve or maintain your physical condition and prevent the onset of uremia.
Kidney disease prevention also aids in the prevention of uremic encephalopathy that causes acquired brain injury. Some ways you can reduce or eliminate the threat of kidney disease include:
- Keeping your diabetes under control
- Maintaining a healthy blood pressure
- Maintaining strong cardiovascular function
- Quitting smoking cigarettes
- Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise
Seeking Legal Assistance for Your Personal Injury
If your current condition occurred as a result of a misdiagnosis by a medical professional, then contact Newsome | Melton for a free case review. The brain injury lawyers at Newsome | Melton offer legal services for victims of accidents or medical malpractice.
To find out more about our legal services, call us at (800) 917-5888.