Acute kidney failure  – Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Kidney failure is a severe health complication that results in the inability of your kidneys to filter waste products from your blood. When the kidneys lose their filtering ability, it leads to the accumulation of wastes at dangerous levels in your body. So, it creates an imbalance in the blood’s chemical makeup triggering several complications. The condition, also referred to as acute renal failure or acute kidney injury can develop in a person rapidly. Within a few days, affected people can see their health deteriorating. This condition has become common in people spending time in hospitals due to underlying health conditions. It is particularly common in critically ill patients requiring intensive care in the hospital.

It is a serious health condition requiring immediate medical intervention and treatment. Affected patients need to undergo intensive treatment to save their lives. It is a fatal condition. Hence, people need to take it seriously. But, with proper treatment, it becomes possible for an otherwise healthy person to reverse the problem. With care and treatment, you can recover the almost normal or normal kidney function. Do you wish to know more about it? Then, you are at the right place to learn more.

Acute Kidney Failure Symptoms

How can you know whether a person suffers from this fatal condition or not? The body can provide a clue to it. When a person experiences acute kidney failure, they can experience the following signs or symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Decreased urine output
• Swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs due to fluid retention
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Nausea
• Chest pain or feeling tightness in the chest region
• Coma or seizure (severe cases)

In some cases, a person may not know about the problem unless they undergo some lab tests to uncover another problem. Such people may not see any signs or symptoms related to the condition.

See A Doctor For Acute Kidney Failure

As soon as you see one or more symptoms suggested, make an appointment with the doctor. Only a doctor can diagnose the underlying problem accurately. In some cases, the symptoms may point to another disease. With proper diagnosis, it becomes possible to determine the exact cause of the condition and get the necessary treatment.

Causes Of Acute Kidney Failure

There are several underlying reasons for acute kidney failure. The prominent ones include the following:

An underlying health condition slowing down the blood flow to the kidney

Suffering direct damage to the kidneys

The urine drainage tubes known as ureters in the kidney suffer blockage causing the waste filtration process to become stalled.

Any one of the above-mentioned problems can trigger issues leading to damage to the kidneys. Let’s see each of the problems in detail.

Impaired Blood Flow To The Kidneys Triggering Kidney Failure

People may develop diseases or conditions leading to the slowing down of blood flow to the kidney. It can result in kidney injury and damage resulting in acute kidney failure. The problems may include:

• • Fluid or blood loss
  • Taking blood pressure medications
  • Suffering from a heart attack

 

• Developing an infection
• Suffering from liver failure
• The excess use of ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen sodium, or related drugs
• Suffering from severe burns
• Developing severe dehydration

Damage To The Kidneys

There are certain diseases, conditions, or agents triggering issues to the kidney. It can lead to kidney damage. This results in acute kidney failure. The conditions triggering the problem include:

• Developing blood clots in the arteries and veins in and around the kidneys
• Deposition of cholesterol blocks the blood flow in the kidneys
• Suffering from inflammation of the glomeruli, the tiny filters in the kidneys lead to glomerulonephritis.
• The premature destruction of red blood cells causes the hemolytic uremic syndrome.
• Suffering from infection with a virus such as SARS-Cov-2 causing COVID-19.
• Develop an immune system disorder such as lupus triggered due to glomerulonephritis.
• Taking medication such as antibiotics, certain chemotherapy drugs, and dyes used for imaging tests.
• Suffer from scleroderma, the group of rare diseases causing problems to skin and connective tissues.
• Develop a rare blood disorder known as Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Presence of toxins in the body such as heavy metals, alcohol, and cocaine.
• Breaking of muscle tissue due to rhabdomyolysis leads to the generation of toxins that result in kidney damage
• The breakdown of tumor cells due to tumor lysis syndrome leads to the release of toxins triggering acute kidney failure.

Blockage Of Urine In The Kidneys

Diseases and certain conditions can result in the blocking of urine passage. Due to urinary obstruction, the toxins remain in the body. It can lead to acute kidney injury. The conditions include:

• • Bladder cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Blood clots in the urinary tract

 

• • Colon cancer

 

• • Kidney stones

 

• Enlarged prostate
• Prostate cancer
• Nerve damage to the nerves involved in controlling the bladder

Risk Factors Linked To Acute Kidney Failure

Not all people have an increased risk of suffering from acute kidney failure. Some people have more risk compared to others. The condition increases the risk of a kidney problems including:

• • Advancing age
  • Remain in hospital for treating serious conditions requiring intensive care
  • Suffer from diabetes
  • Develop blocks in the blood pressure in the arms or legs due to peripheral artery disease
  • Develop heart failure
  • Suffer from high blood pressure

 

• Develop liver diseases
• Suffer from kidney diseases
• Have cancer or undergo treatments for the disease
• Kidney diseases
• Liver diseases
• Certain cancers and their treatments

Complications Of Acute Kidney Failure

Why should you seek treatment for acute kidney failure? There are certain complications linked to the condition. Here are some of the reasons why you need to take the problem seriously:

Fluid Buildup Due To Acute Kidney Failure

Acute kidney failure can lead to a buildup of fluid in the lungs. When fluid buildup, it can result in shortness of breath.

Chest Pain

The kidney damage can affect other parts of the body such as the pericardium, the lining covering the heart. Due to kidney damage, the pericardium can become inflamed. It can lead to chest pain.

Acidic Blood

Also known as metabolic acidosis, the condition occurs when the blood has a high amount of acid. It occurs due to kidney damage. The condition can trigger several health issues such as vomiting, nausea, breathlessness, and drowsiness.

Muscle Weakness

Due to kidney damage, the blood chemistry in the body can become out of balance. It causes an imbalance in the fluids and electrolyte levels in the body. It results in muscle weakness. People suffering from the problem can also experience heart rhythm problems or paralysis.

Permanent Kidney Damage

In some cases, acute kidney failure can result in permanent kidney function loss. It can lead to end-stage renal disease. Such people require permanent dialysis to flush out the toxins from their bodies. It is because the kidneys cannot filter the wastes from the body. The doctors can also suggest a kidney transplant due to permanent kidney damage.

Death

In serious cases, acute kidney failure can lead to death. It occurs due to permanent loss of kidney functions.

Diagnosing Acute Kidney Failure

When you suspect some problem with your kidneys or see any of the symptoms suggested above, make an appointment with the doctor. The doctor can make an accurate diagnosis by suggesting certain tests and procedures. It will help verify the diagnosis. The test suggested for detecting acute kidney failure includes:

Blood Tests

A blood test is the main used to determine acute kidney failure. The test measures urea and creatinine. These are the two components that can indicate the normalcy of kidney function. Creatinine is the waste product produced by the body in the blood. The doctor usually measures the creatinine and BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) levels to determine the problem. It also depends on the following factors of the patients:

• Age
• Weight
• Gender
• Ethnic group

Considering all the factors, the doctor can determine the exact millimeters of waste the kidneys can filter in a minute. The calculation is referred to as eGFR or estimated glomerular filtration rate. In normal people, the kidneys must filter more than 90mi/min. But, anything less can point to a kidney problem. The doctor also checks the BUN levels to confirm the diagnosis.

Urine Tests

The doctor suggests submitting a sample of the affected person’s urine. There are urine tests to determine the damage to the kidneys. Here are some of them:

Urine Output Measurements

As the name suggests, the test measures the number of times a person can urinate in 24 hours. It is a test that you can take at home. The doctor may provide containers to collect urinate during the 24-hour time window. The test will help the doctor determine the exact cause of kidney damage.

Urine Test To Detect Urea

A urinalysis can help the doctor detect several issues indicating a kidney problem. The doctor can suggest a urinalysis or microalbumin test. Albumin refers to the protein found in the blood. In a healthy person with no kidney problem, the urine may not show the presence of albumin. But, a damaged kidney allows albumin to pass into the urine. The presence of albumin in the urine can lead to albuminuria. A healthcare professional can detect the presence of albumin in the urine in two ways:

Use Dipstick Test To Detect Albumin

The healthcare provider may use the urine sample provided to check for albumin present in the urine. The technicians use the urine collected in the lab or doctor’s office and insert a dipstick. It is the chemically treated paper changing color when it detects the presence of albumin in the urine.

Urine Albumin-To-Creatinine Ratio (UACR)

It is a test to measure and compare the albumin amount with the creatinine levels in the urine sample submitted. Your healthcare providers use UACR to determine the albumin levels that can pass into the urine within 24 hours.

Imaging Tests To Detect Acute Kidney Failure

In some cases, the doctor suggests taking imaging tests to determine the problem with more accuracy. Here are some of the imaging tests for diagnosing acute kidney failure.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is the most common imaging test suggested by the doctor to measure kidney size and its appearance. The imaging test can also detect the presence of tumors or signs of kidney damage. Ultrasound can also locate the blockages developed in the blood or urine flow. Today, doctors have access to the latest technique known as Color Doppler for assessing the clots, ruptures, or narrowing in the veins and arteries of the kidneys.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan To Detect Acute Kidney Failure

CT scan is a sophisticated x-ray imaging technique producing cross-sectional images of the kidney. The scan can help detect any type of issue in the kidney. It can detect the following issues:

• Lesions
• Cancer
• Obstruction
• Kidney stones or other obstructions
• Accumulation of fluid around the organ

It is usually suggested for people with excess body weight. In such people, an ultrasound may not give the doctor a clear picture. Hence, it becomes difficult to detect the problem.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

It is the most sophisticated imaging technique using magnetic waves to generate high-contrast images. It can generate images of the kidneys without exposure to radiation. It can generate high-quality images

Kidney Biopsy

The doctor suggests removing a sample of the kidney tissue to send it for testing. It is required to detect the extent of damage or the presence of malignant cells. The small sent to the lab for testing can determine the issue. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a needle through the skin into the kidney to take the sample for testing.

Treating Acute Kidney Failure

Treatment for acute kidney failure requires staying in the hospital for few days. In most cases, people suffering from the condition already stay in the hospital. The duration of your hospital depends on the reason for taking treatment. It also depends on the recovering capacity of your kidneys. In some cases, you can recover at home. The treatment steps include:

Treating Underlying Cause Of Acute Kidney Failure

You may suffer from acute kidney failure due to an illness or injury damaging the kidneys. Hence, the treatment depends on addressing the cause of kidney damage. The treatment depends on the specific cause of the condition.

Managing Complication Caused Due To Acute Kidney Failure

Apart from addressing the underlying cause of kidney damage, the doctors must also provide treatment to address the complications triggered due to acute kidney failure. The treatments also focus on easing complications until the kidneys can heal. The treatments to address complications include:

Balancing The Fluid Levels In The Blood

Acute kidney failure can occur due to a lack of fluids in the blood. In such cases, you need treatment to get the additional fluids to maintain the balance. The doctor may suggest intravenous fluids to balance the fluid levels in the blood. In other cases, acute kidney disease can result in fluid retention in the body. It results in swelling in the arms and legs. To flush out the excess fluids in the body, the doctors can suggest diuretics. Also known as water pills, they can expel the excess water accumulated in the body.

Medication To Control Potassium Level

When the kidneys fail to filter toxins, they can also fail to flush out potassium from the blood. To prevent the accumulation of high potassium levels in the blood, the doctor can prescribe medication. Excess potassium levels can cause several health problems including muscle weakness and irregular heartbeats (also known as arrhythmias). The medications prescribed to address the problem include:

• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
• Calcium
• Glucose

Medication To Restore Calcium Levels

Due to renal failure, the kidneys find it difficult to filter the extra phosphorous from the body. Phosphorous at the right levels keep the calcium in the blood under check. Due to high levels of phosphorous, calcium can go down. It leads to the deposition of phosphorous in the tissues and bones. Also, kidney failure can cause low absorption of Vitamin D. Healthy kidneys can convert vitamin D from food and sunlight to active vitamin D aiding in balancing calcium levels. To overcome the deficiency of calcium due to kidney disease, the doctor can suggest medications.

Dialysis To Remove Toxins From The Blood

With acute kidney failure, the body can experience a buildup of toxins in the blood. It occurs due to the failure of the kidneys to filter the toxins from the body. It starts accumulating and triggering several problems. In some cases, the patient may require to undergo the procedure to remove toxins known as hemodialysis temporarily. The procedure can also remove excess fluids accumulated in the body until the kidneys heal. It can also flush out the excess potassium from the body. The procedure involves a dialysis machine pumping out blood from the body through a dialyzer. It performs the work of a kidney and filters the toxins. The machine returns the blood to the body.

Lifestyle And Home Remedies To Manage Acute Kidney Failure

A person who has undergone the treatment for acute kidney failure needs to follow some special steps at home. You need to follow the instructions of the doctor regarding diet and other changes you need to make. After the treatment, you need to limit the amount of work you do. It is not good to stress as it can affect your health. The doctor can also suggest you see a dietitian. A dietitian can analyze your current diet to suggest changes. These changes are essential for good kidney health. Depending on your specific condition, the dietitian can recommend the following changes:

Include Low Potassium Foods

Since you have already suffered from acute kidney failure, you need to limit the intake of potassium in your diet. Hence, avoid foods with high potassium levels such as:

• Potatoes
• Oranges
• Bananas
• Spinach
• Tomatoes

You can include foods with low potassium levels. There are fruits and vegetables containing less levels of potassium:

• Apples
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Cauliflower
• Peppers

Avoid Salty Foods

People who have suffered from kidney problems need to avoid products with salt. Reducing the amount of sodium, you consume each day can lower the risk of kidney failure. Here are some of the foods you must avoid:

• Frozen dinners
• Processed foods
• Fast foods
• Canned soups
• Salty snack foods
• Processed meats
• Processed cheese
• Canned vegetables.

Control Phosphorus Intake

People undergoing treatment for kidney disease need to control their phosphorous intake. Phosphorous refers to the mineral found in several food items such as:

• Oatmeal
• Whole-grain bread
• Nuts
• Dark-colored colas
• Peanut butter

The excess intake of phosphorous in the blood can start weakening the bones. It results in skin itching. Consult a dietician to get a recommendation on controlling the mineral in your diet. The doctor can give suggestions on restricting the intake of the mineral depending on your specific situation.

Preventing Acute Kidney Failure

It is not possible to prevent acute kidney failure. There are no sure shot methods to prevent damage to the kidneys. It is because the condition has an unpredictable nature. But, there are certain steps you can take to reduce the risk of damage to the kidneys. Here are some of the tips:

Limit OTC Pain Medication Use

Most people take over-the-counter pain medication to ease the cramps or other discomfort. But, taking such medications without any control can affect your kidneys adversely. Hence, you need to pay attention to the labels while taking the OTC pain medication. Always follow the instruction given to use such medication with caution. Never take too much of the medications. It increases the risk of injury to the kidneys. It is specifically true for people suffering from pre-existing kidney disease or other problems such as diabetes and blood pressure.

Manage Pre-Existing Conditions

It is vital to manage any pre-existing chronic health conditions. Consult a doctor if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney problem. It increases the chances of suffering from acute kidney failure. You need to follow the instructions from the doctor and stay on track with your treatment. By managing the condition, you can lower the risk of suffering from kidney problems.

Practice A Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle can prevent most diseases. You can follow the tips suggested below to ensure you lead a good lifestyle that reduces the chances of developing diseases such as acute kidney failure.

• Try to have an active lifestyle. Include exercises in your routine. Physical workouts can increase blood circulation. It also helps manage the sugar and cholesterol levels in the blood.
• You need to get all the essential nutrients from your diet. Hence, follow a balanced diet containing all necessary nutrients. It nourishes the body and prevents diseases.
• Try to limit alcohol consumption. You need to drink alcohol in moderation to prevent diseases.
• Quit smoking as it can trigger several health problems. It is a bad habit that you need to cut out from your life.

Conclusion

Kidneys are vital organs filtering the blood to flush out the toxins from the body. Kidney damage can lead to losing the ability of the organs to filter waste properly. When the kidneys fail to remove the toxins, it starts accumulating in the body. It can trigger severe side effects. Hence, acute kidney failure is a serious condition leading to fatal complications. It is vital to address the problem immediately to avoid any permanent damage. Hence, if you see the symptoms associated with the condition, take immediate steps to address them. With early intervention, it becomes possible to minimize the damage and avoid complications. If treated early, you can reverse the kidney damage and lead a happy life. Therefore, consult a doctor immediately to get proper treatment.