Your kidneys’ main function is to filter blood and remove excess salts, water, and waste materials from the blood.

Acute Kidney failure means your kidneys suddenly stop functioning. It means they have lost the ability to eliminate waste products from the body. The condition is also known as Acute Kidney Injury (AKI).

It is a serious (life-threatening) condition that requires intensive treatment.

What causes acute kidney failure?

There are many reasons for someone to develop this condition. The following are some of the common reasons:

  • Sudden and extreme severe dehydration
  • Loss of blood or fluids from the body in case of accidents, burns, or severe diarrhea
  • Kidney toxicity or injury that occurs after ingesting chemicals like pesticides.
  • Certain medications used like painkillers, paracetamol, and certain antibiotics
  • Obstruction of Urinary tract due to stones, enlarged prostate
  • Certain inflammatory conditions affecting the kidney

  What are the risk factors?

The risk of developing acute kidney failure is high if you are an older person, or if you have any long-term health issues, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • High Blood pressure
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Excessive body weight
  • Heart failure

Symptoms of Acute Kidney failure

  • Fluid retention or swelling of feet,face or hands
  • High blood pressure
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Breathlessness
  • Seizures
  • Decreased appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion

Diagnosis of acute kidney failure

When your nephrologist suspects acute kidney failure after making a note of your symptoms – such as fluid retention  or  generalized swelling, loss of appetite, and nausea, the doctor will order these tests:  urine analysis, serum creatinine, serum potassium, serum electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood sugar, CBC

An ultrasound, abdominal CT, or MRI can help your nephrologist to determine the cause of kidney failure

Treatment

Your nephrologist comprehensively evaluates your condition, accurately diagnoses the cause of acute kidney injury, and provides treatment accordingly.

Treatment mostly depends on the underlying cause of kidney failure. In some cases when kidney functions are bad, Dialysis treatment may be needed to prevent the buildup of fluids and wastes in the body.

In most cases, Dialysis is done temporarily to remove toxins and excess fluid in the body while waiting for the kidney to recover.

In most patients, once the cause of kidney injury is treated, kidney functions can be restored to normal levels.

Bottom Line

Acute kidney failure can turn into a life-threatening condition if it is not addressed diligently in time. For those with existing medical conditions like heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and advanced age, the risk of death can be high.

Timely treatment is the key to preventing complications and can help in the recovery of kidney functions.

In some cases, especially those with pre-existing kidney disease, End-stage renal disease, or chronic renal failure can develop.

How to prevent Acute Kidney Injury

Acute Kidney injury is preventable.

  1. Seek early medical advice if you have severe diarrhea or vomiting. Or excessive blood loss
  2. Avoid taking painkillers or taking other medications like antibiotics without doctors’ advice.
  3. Drink 3-4 liters of fluid in extreme heat
  4. Keep control of your Diabetes and blood sugar

 

 

 

 

 

 

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