Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Urea nitrogen is a common product that the body produces after eating. Your liver breaks down the proteins in your food - and in doing so, it creates blood urea nitrogen, also called BUN.The liver releases the substance into the blood and eventually goes to the kidneys. When your kidneys are healthy, they remove BUN, usually leaving a small amount in the blood. But for the most part, the kidneys get rid of it, flushing them out of the body through the urine. When your kidneys are not healthy, they have problems removing BUN and leave more of it in the blood.

Symptoms of High BUN Levels

• Change in the amount you pee
• Pee is foamy, bloody or brown
• Pain while you pee
• Swelling in your hands, your wrists, your legs, your ankles, your eyes, your face, or your stomach
• Twitchy legs during sleep
• Pain in bones
• Pain in the middle-back where the kidneys are located
• You are always tired

Causes of High BUN Levels

• High protein diet (may cause a high level of urea nitrogen)
• Low protein diet (may cause a low level of urea nitrogen)
• Several medicines, including steroids and antibiotics (raising or lowering the BUN level)
• Pregnancy
• Ageing

Normal Ranges of BUN

The results of blood urea nitrogen tests are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg / dL) in the United States and at millimoles per liter (mmol / L) internationally. In total, about 7 to 20 mg / dL (2.5 to 7.1 mmol / L) is normal

How to Reduce BUN?

Eat a low protein diet.Fruits are generally low in protein.

High protein foods include red meat, poultry, fish and milk. 

Avoid stress

Avoid high blood pressure

Effects of High BUN Levels on Body

• Dehydration

• Urine blockage

• Complete heart failure (if your heart does not infect the blood as it should)

• Treat injuries

• Heart attack

• Bleeding in  stomach or esophagus