Acute kidney failure

What is it?

Every person has 2 kidneys in her body from birth. Kidney failure, also called renal failure, is a condition where 1 or both of your kidneys stop working as they should. When the kidney failure is sudden, that means that it is acute kidney failure. If your kidneys are progressively getting worse over time, this is called chronic (long-term) kidney disease leading to kidney failure.

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that are very important and are located below the backside of the ribcage. The role of the kidneys is to help filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. When they stop working, harmful substances can build up in your body.

Acute kidney failure

Acute kidney failure can also be called acute kidney injury. Acute kidney failure has different risk factors than chronic kidney disease (CKD), and this is because acute means that the condition happens suddenly, sometimes within hours. There are a few different things that can happen in your body to cause acute kidney failure:

• ureteral blockage - Waste from the kidneys is part of what we call pee, and it comes out through tubes connected to the kidneys. These tubes are called ureters, and when they get blocked, waste can't leave the kidneys.
• damage to kidneys - This can happen from other diseases or conditions.
• blood not getting to the kidneys

Who's at risk?

Acute kidney failure may happen from one of the above issues, however there are many different things that can cause one of the above issues to happen with your kidneys. This includes:

• certain medications - blood pressure medication, chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, or NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve)
• dye (contrast) used in imaging tests, such as a CT scan with contrast
• severe dehydration
• severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• blood loss or fluid loss
• heart disease or heart attack
• liver failure
• severe burns to your body
• blood clots that happen near the kidneys or urinary tract
• certain infections
• glomerulonephritis - This is where the tiny filters in the kidneys, called glomeruli, become inflammed or swollen
• hemolytic uremic syndrome
• scleroderma
• thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
• alcohol use
• heavy metals in the bloodstream
• cocaine use
• cancer - bladder cancer, cervical cancer, or colon cancer
• nerve damage
• kidney stones

How do I know if I have it?

If you have symptoms of acute kidney failure, your doctor will run a few tests to diagnose the condition. They may ask for a pee sample to check if there is any blood or proteins in your pee. Blood tests can also be done to measure the levels of waste products in your blood.

Additionally, your doctor may order imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to get a closer look at your kidneys. By analyzing these results, your doctor can determine if you have acute kidney failure and what might be causing it.

Treating acute kidney failure

To treat acute kidney failure, your medical team will try to figure out the underlying cause of the issue. Once this has been discovered, your medical team will focus on treating the underlying cause as well as and supporting kidney function. During this time, it is likely that you will be kept in the hospital so that the doctors can monitor your health and work to prevent any further damage.

Depending on your case, you may also need dialysis. This is where a machine helps to filter the toxins out of your blood when your kidneys are unable to do this properly. There are 2 types of dialysis, so make sure to ask your medical team which is right for you.

If the condition is caused by a blockage, your doctor may need to remove the blockage through surgery or other procedures.

I have risk factors of the condition. How can I prevent acute kidney failure?

There are several preventive measures you can take to reduce the risk of developing acute kidney failure.

1. Staying hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day is important to keep your kidneys functioning well.

2. Exercise and eating healthy - By doing these things, you can avoid chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. By steering clear of these chronic conditions, you can also avoid the risk of kidney problems.

3. Be careful with how many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) you take. If you have a headache, try drinking more water before immediately turning to ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).