RENAL FAILURE, ACUTE

(Kidney Failure, Acute)

 Basic information

description

Acute renal failure is a sudden failure of the kidneys to function. Kidneys have several important functions. They produce certain hormones and help rid the body of waste products. When kidneys fail, the waste products build up and cause symptoms that vary in severity. This disorder usually has a short, sometimes severe course.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Reduced urine output and increased thirst.
• Fluid build-up causing swelling in legs, ankles, or feet .
• Fatigue, drowsiness, or shortness of breath.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite loss.
• Mental (e.g., confusion) or mood changes.
• Bruising.
• Convulsions or coma in severe cases.
• The symptoms of the underlying cause will also be present.

causes

• Conditions in the kidney, or in other areas of the body, that cause the kidneys to stop functioning. This leads to a buildup of waste products in the blood and tissues. Underlying conditions include:
  • Shock with very low blood pressure.
  • Blood poisoning (septicemia).
  • Congestive heart failure.
  • Fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
  • Blood-transfusion reaction.
  • Severe accident with severe muscle injury.
  • Acute glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation).
  • Multiple myeloma (bone cancer).
  • Obstruction of blood vessels that supply the kidney.
  • Kidney stones that obstruct the ureters or the urethra.
  • Prostate enlargement.
  • Use of certain drugs.
  • Overdose of poisons or drugs (e.g., drugs of abuse).

risk increases with

• People with one kidney.
• Recent surgery.
• Accidents with severe injuries.
• Medical history of conditions that affect the kidney, such as diabetes, gout, multiple myeloma, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures. Seek medical care for causes and risk factors when possible.

expected outcomes

If the underlying condition can be controlled and the kidney failure can be treated promptly, complete recovery is likely. Recovery time may take days to weeks.

possible complications

Shock, infections, uremia, seizures, coma, heart or lung problems, chronic kidney failure, or death.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and activities. Medical tests may include blood and urine studies that measure kidney function and fluid and electrolyte balance. Ultrasound, x-ray, heart studies, and other tests may be done to diagnose any complications.
• Emergency hospital care may be needed to provide fluid and electrolyte therapy and dialysis.
• Treatment will be determined by cause of the failure.
• Surgery, if the cause can be corrected by surgery.
• Dialysis (artificial method of removing waste products from the blood) may be required until the kidneys recover their function.
• To learn more: National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd St., New York, NY 10016; (800) 622-9010; website: www.kidney.org.

medications

• Diuretics (to remove excess fluid) and drugs to treat the underlying condition may be prescribed.
• Antibiotics may be given to treat or prevent infection.
• Other drugs will be prescribed as needed.

activity

Rest in bed until the condition is cured. Then resume your normal activities as soon as symptoms improve.

diet

Food and water intake is controlled to stop fluid and electrolyte imbalance and to reduce build-up of body wastes. A diet high in carbohydrates and low in protein (main source of waste products), to reduce kidneys' work load, may be a part of the treatment.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has renal failure symptoms.
• Symptoms recur after treatment.

Special Notes: