Facts about Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure, otherwise known as acute kidney failure, occurs when the kidneys quit working. Because the kidneys remove waste from the body, they are essential to health and wellness. They also maintain a balance between salt, water, and electrolytes. When they do not work properly, these substances and waste build up in the body. The result is acute renal failure, which can be lethal.

Causes of Acute Renal Failure

Typically, acute renal failure is caused by one of three things. When the flow of blood to the kidneys suffers an abrupt and serious drop, failure can occur. Extreme loss of blood, certain injuries, and severe infections such as sepsis can cause the lack of blood flow. Dehydration is also a common cause.

Certain medications, certain poisons, and certain other infections can also cause acute renal failure. People with acute, long term problems are generally at risk due to their medications. These include antibiotics, pain medications, blood pressure medications, and the dye which has to be used in certain X-rays.

Finally, any abrupt block which causes urine to quit flowing from the kidneys can also cause acute renal failure. Typical causes in this case include kidney stones, tumors, an enlarged prostate gland, and certain injuries.

Prevention of Acute Renal Failure

The best way to prevent acute renal failure is to keep an eye out for the symptoms. Especially if you have suffered from any of the aforementioned health problems, paying attention is the only way to go.

Symptoms include not being able to urinate properly or easily, swelling in the legs and feet, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, feelings of confusion, anxiety, restlessness, and fatigue, and flank pain, which occurs right underneath the ribcage.

Upon hospitalization, there are a number of other prevention techniques, such as a Foley catheter, which allows caregivers to monitor the exact amount of urine being expelled. Renal ultrasounds and kidney-ureter-bladder X-rays can also be helpful.

Treatment for Acute Renal Failure

The common treatments for acute renal failure range from simple to complex. Certainly, a doctor will prescribe medications and will generally recommend a specialized diet as well. The typical treatment for acute renal failure is dialysis, which allows waste to be flushed from the body with the help of a machine.

Vaccination for Acute Renal Failure

Due to the fact that acute renal failure is often difficult to diagnose before something goes wrong and because it is not a virus or bacterial infection, there is no vaccination for it. However, people who have it should be vaccinated against other things, such as hepatitis.

Sources

WebMD.com from the article: Acute Renal Failure Reviewed June 14, 2007

HealthSquare.com from the article: Kidney Failure, Acute Publication date unknown