Definition
Acute Kidney Failure is also known as a Acute Renal Failure and ARF. Acute means sudden and renal means kidneys so we can say that the sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to conserve electrolytes, excrete wastes and concentrate urine. A rapid breakdown of renal function is known as a ARF or Acute Kidney Failure. There are three types of Acute Kidney Failure-
1) Prerenal ARF - it occurs when an inadequate blood circulation to the kidneys, which leaves them unable to clean the blood properly.
2) Post renal ARF - an acute obstruction that affects the normal flow of urine out of both kidneys.
3) Intrinsic ARF - Involves damage or injury within both kidneys.
Causes of Acute Kidney Failure -
Acute Kidney Failure occurs when high levels of uremic toxine accumulate in the blood or when the kidneys are not capable to discharge the daily load of toxins in the urine. We can devide the patient with ARF into two groups which is based on the amount of urine discharged over a 24-hour period .Oliguric and Nonoliguric.In Oliguric, patients discharge less than 500 milliliters per day.Patients who discharge more than 500 milliliters per day are in Nonoliguric.In Group.In this group of patient the blood is not well filtered so the urine is of poor quality. There are various causes of Acute Kidney Failure which are given below -
1) Extremely Low Blood Pressure.
2) Direct injury to the Kidney.
3) Some Infections (Acute pyelonephritis or Septicemia).
4) Blood Disorders.
5) Autoimmune Disorders
6) Over-Exposure to the radiographic contrast materials, solvents, metals, antibiotics and medications.
Signs And Symptoms -
There are some common symptoms of Acute Kidney Failure-
1) Bad taste in mouth or Bad breath
2) Anemia
3) Bone and Joint Problems
4) Edema
5) Rapid Urination
6) Headaches
7) High Blood Pressure
8) Increased Fatigue
9) Itching
10) Nausea
11) Bloody Urine
Treatment of Acute Kidney Failure -
Acute Kidney Failure can be treated by preventing excess accumulation of fluids and wastes. The treatment is required to identify and treat any opposite causes of the kidney failure. This treat can be done by use of kidney -toxic medications, volume depletion and obstructive uropathy.For monitoring and treatment, hospitalization is required. To prevent infection, antibiotics are mostly used. To remove fluid from kidney, diuretics may be used. The main thing in treatment is to control the blood potassium levels. Several types of medications are also used such as insulin or glucose, intravenous and kayexalate.
To remove excess fluids and waste, Dialysis may be used. It is not necessary for every people but is very benifitial if serum potessium is very high.
Prevention -
Prevention is difficult, because there are many cause of acute kidney failure. It is necessary that medications should be given very cautiously. For better treatment results there is need to carefully monitoring for patient with kidney failure complications. Procedures and Treatments that may put them at risk for kidney failure such as diagnostic tests requiring radio contrast agents or dyes should be used with extreme caution.
