Acute Kidney Failure

Acute Kidney Failure

Most of the people who develop acute kidney failure will be hospitalized. Acute kidney failure is the sudden loss of kidneys’ capacity to eliminate fluids, excess salts and waste materials from the blood. When kidney loses its filtering ability, fluid components will rise to the dangerous levels. This condition will lead to electrolytes imbalance and accumulation of waste materials in the body.

Acute kidney failure is also called as acute kidney injury and it is more common in patients who are in the hospital and it usually develops rapidly over a few hours. Individuals who are critical and need intensive care are at the highest risk of developing acute kidney failure.

Acute kidney failure can be dangerous and may even lead to death and requires immediate attention and treatment. Usually this condition is reversible if necessary interventions are done at the right time.

Etiology of Acute Kidney Failure

Following are the few causes of the acute kidney failure

•  Urinary tract obstruction

•  Acute tubular necrosis (ATN)

•  Auto-immune kidney diseases like interstitial nephritis and acute nephritic syndrome

Low blood pressure can also be a cause where there will be reduced blood flow and hence damage to your kidneys. The following are the health problems which may reduce blood flow to the kidneys:

•  Burn injury

•  Dehydration

•  Hemorrhage

•  Injury

•  Septic shock

•  Serious illness

•  Surgery

Certain issues can cause clotting within your kidney’s blood vessels:

•   Hemolytic uremic syndrome

•   Idiopathic thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura (ITTP)

•   Scleroderma

•   Malignant hypertension

Some infections may directly injure your kidneys, such as:

•   acute pyelonephritis

•   septicemia

Pregnancy can cause complications that harm the kidneys:

•  placenta abruption (in pregnancy)

•  placenta previa (in pregnancy)

Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Failure

People with long term health problems and the geriatric people are having more chance of getting this acute kidney failure. The common long term problems are:

•  liver disease

•  diabetes

•  high blood pressure

•  heart failure

•  obesity

•  kidney disease

Hospitalization itself is the greatest risk for acute kidney failure. Those who are operated for abdominal surgeries, bonemarrow transplant or a heart surgery have the increased risk for acute kidney failure. Symptoms of Acute Kidney Failure

•  Bloody stools (Melena)

•  Nausea

•  Bad odor (Halitosis)

•  Prolonged bleeding

•  Slow, sluggish movements

•  Swelling - generalized due to fluid retention

•  Decreased appetite

•  Fatigue

•  Pain between ribs and hips

•  Vomiting

•  Hand tremor

•  Easy bruising

•  Changes in mood or mental status, especially if you are elderly

•  Decreased sensation, especially in your hands or feet

•  Seizures

•  Hiccups that won’t resolve

•  Elevated blood pressure

•  Metallic taste

Diagnosing Acute Kidney Failure

Because of the fluid retention, the patient may present with the symptoms of generalized swelling. Using a stethoscope, the physician may hear crackling sound in the lungs. These sounds can indicate fluid retention.

Results of medical tests may also show sudden changes. Some of these tests include:

•  Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

•  Urinalysis

•  Serum potassium

•  Creatinine clearance

•  Serum creatinine

An ultrasound is the ideal method for diagnosing acute kidney failure. However, abdominal CT scan, abdominal X-ray, and abdominal MRI can define if there is a blockage in your urinary tract. Certain blood tests may also disclose causes of acute kidney failure.

Treating Acute Kidney Failure

Treatment will be subject to the cause of acute kidney failure. The goal is to bring back the normal kidney function. Doctors will limit the diet and the amount of liquids you consume. The goal is to reduce the backlog of toxins that are normally removed by the kidneys. A diet rich in carbohydrates and low in salt, protein and potassium is usually recommended.

Antibiotics might be prescribed to treat or prevent any infections which might occur. Diuretics may be used to assist the kidneys in removing the excess fluid. Calcium and insulin can be provided to avoid dangerous increases in blood potassium levels.

Dialysis may be needed, but is not always necessary. Dialysis involves diverting blood out of the body into a machine that filters waste. The clean blood is then returned to the body. If potassium levels are dangerously high, dialysis can save your life. Dialysis is used if there are variations in the mental status, or if the patient stops urinating. Dialysis is also indicated if the patient has inflammation of the heart or pericarditis. Dialysis can help in removing nitrogen waste products from the body.

What is expected in the Long Term?

Acute kidney failure can be a life-threatening illness. Intensive treatment will be required in some cases. But if you are in perfect health otherwise, odds of recovery are good.

There are chances of chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease to develop. Death is common if the kidney failure is caused by trauma, severe infection, or surgery. , advanced age, lung disease, progressive kidney failure and recent stroke blood loss, also increases your risk of death.

Some of the complications of acute kidney failure are:

•  Chronic kidney failure

•  Heart damage

•  Nervous system damage

•  End stage renal failure

•  High blood pressure

Preventing Acute Kidney Failure

Treating and preventing illnesses that can lead to acute kidney failure is the best method for avoiding acute kidney failure.