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Acute (sudden) kidney failure is the sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and concentrate urine without losing electrolytes.
Alternative NamesKidney failure; Renal failure; Renal failure - acute; ARF; Kidney injury - acute
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are many possible causes of kidney damage. They include:
- Acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
- Autoimmune kidney disease, including:
- Acute nephritic syndrome
- Interstitial nephritis
- Decreased blood flow due to very low blood pressure, which can result from:
- Burns
- Dehydration
- Hemorrhage
- Injury
- Septic shock
- Serious illness
- Surgery
- Disorders that cause clotting within the kidney's blood vessels:
- Infections that directly injure the kidney, such as:
- Acute pyelonephritis
- Septicemia
- Pregnancy complications, including:
- Urinary tract obstruction
- Bloody stools
- Breath odor
- Bruising easily
- Changes in mental status or mood
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased sensation, especially in the hands or feet
- Fatigue
- Flank pain(between the ribs and hips)
- Hand tremor
- High blood pressure
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Nausea or vomiting, may last for days
- Nosebleeds
- Persistent hiccups
- Prolonged bleeding
- Seizures
- Slow, sluggish movements
- Swelling - generalized (fluid retention)
- Swelling of the ankle, foot, and leg
- Urination changes:
- Decrease in amount of urine
- Excessive urination at night
- Urination stops completely
Many patients have generalized swelling caused by fluid retention. The doctor may hear a heart murmur, crackles in the lungs, or signs of inflammation of the lining of the heart when listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope.
The results of laboratory tests may change suddenly (within a few days to 2 weeks). Such tests may include:
A kidney or abdominal ultrasound is the preferred test for diagnosing kidney failure, but abdominal x-ray, abdominal CT scan, or abdominal MRI can tell if there is a blockage in the urinary tract.
Blood tests may help reveal the underlying cause of kidney failure. Arterial blood gas and blood chemistries may show metabolic acidosis.
TreatmentOnce the cause is found, the goal of treatment is to restore kidney function and prevent fluid and waste from building up in the body while the kidneys heal. Usually, you have to stay overnight in the hospital for treatment.
The amount of liquid you eat (such as soup) or drink will be limited to the amount of urine you can produce. You will be told what you may and may not eat to reduce the buildup of toxins normally handled by the kidneys. Your diet may need to be high in carbohydrates and low in protein, salt, and potassium.
You may need antibiotics to treat or prevent infection. Diuretics ("water pills") may be used to help the kidneys lose fluid.
Calcium, glucose/insulin, or potassium will be given through a vein to help avoid dangerous increases in blood potassium levels.
Dialysis may be needed, and can make you feel better. It is not always necessary, but it can save your life if your potassium levels are dangerously high. Dialysis will also be used if your mental status changes, you stop urinating, develop pericarditis, retain too much fluid, or cannot eliminate nitrogen waste products from your body.
Support GroupsThe stress of having an illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.
See: Kidney disease - support group
Expectations (prognosis)Acute kidney failure is potentially life-threatening and may require intensive treatment. However, the kidneys usually start working again within several weeks to months after the underlying cause has been treated.
In some cases, chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease may develop. Death is most common when kidney failure is caused by surgery, trauma, or severe infection in someone with heart disease, lung disease, or recent stroke. Old age, infection, loss of blood from the intestinal tract, and progression of kidney failure also increase the risk of death.
Complications- Chronic (long-term) kidney failure
- Damage to the heart or nervous system
- End-stage kidney disease
- High blood pressure
- Loss of blood in the intestines
Call your health care provider if your urine output slows or stops or you have other symptoms of acute kidney failure.
PreventionTreating disorders such as high blood pressure can help prevent acute kidney failure.
ReferencesClarkson MR, Friedewald JJ, Eustace JA, Rabb H. Acute kidney injury. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner & Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap. 29.
What else can I help you with?
What is the difference between acute renal failure and chronic renal failure?
The difference between acute renal (kidney) failure and chronic kidney failure, is that acute is a sudden onset. Something like a medical condition, trama, or surgery can cause the failure within days or even hrs. Chrinic kidney failure is slow damage to the kidney over a few years, resulting in the kidneys not being able to filter blood properly.
What has the author Jonathan D Mendoza written?
Jonathan D. Mendoza has written: 'Acute kidney injury' -- subject(s): Acute renal failure, Acute Kidney Injury
What is the use of the acute nephritis?
Acute nephritis basically is another term for acute renal failure, or ARF. Some cases of kidney stones can lead to acute renal failure, until the stone is passed or extracted.
Complications of nephritic syndrome?
* Acute kidney failure * Chronic kidney failure * End-stage kidney disease * High blood pressure * Congestive heart failure * Pulmonary edema * Chronic glomerulonephritis * Nephrotic syndrome
Is kidney failure and kidney insufficiency mean the same thing?
Kidney failure is an acute stage, and can often be a secondary complication to another condition or situation, such as from a reaction to medication or from dehydration. Chronic kidney disease is a chronic illness. Acute kidney failure has a good chance of being 100% reversible if caught early. Chronic kidney disease is manageable with dialysis, but is not reversible.
35yrs Acute kidney failer has any chance to become a father?
If the person survives there is no obvious reason related to acute kidney failure (which is often reversible) that he should not be able to father children.
How long would it take to go into acute kidney failure if drinking at least 32 oz of water in 12 houres?
Your not going to go into acute kidney failure , the rule of thumb is we all should drink six to eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day. Cheyzer
How do you differentiate between acute renal failure and chronic renal failure?
A recent acute cause like severe bleeding and hypovolaemia or acute urinary tract obstruction usually point to an acute type of renal failure. Chronic diabetes or hypertension, poly-cystic kidney disease etc on the other hand makes the chronic renal failure more likely. An ultrasound can be helpful, as a chronic renal disease can lead to a shrunken kidney. So the size of the kidney can be helpful. Serial measurement of serum creatinine is the preferred measure, but generally if in doubt, it is better to treat as acute renal failure, which is usually reversible, as opposed to the chronic form which is not. Other biochemical abnormalities like hyperphosphataemia, hyperkalemia and low erythropoetin can also favor the chronic form of renal failure, but are generally less reliable.
How is the cause of acute kidney failure determined?
X rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography scan (CT), ultrasound, renal biopsy, and/or arteriogram of the kidneys may be used to determine the cause of kidney failure
Is renal failure and renal insufficiency the same?
yes,Renal failure or kidney failure (formerly called renal insufficiency) describes a medical condition in which thekidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood. The two forms are acute (acute kidney injury) and chronic (chronic kidney disease); a number of other diseases or health problems may cause either form of renal failure to occur.
Why did manute bol die?
Manute Bol died on June 19, 2010 from acute kidney failure and stevens-johnson syndrome.
What can help prevent acute kidney failure?
Medications that may impair kidney function should be given cautiously. Patients with pre-existing kidney conditions who are hospitalized for other illnesses or injuries should be carefully monitored
