Sudden and sustained deterioration of the kidney function characterized by decreased glomerular filtration rate, increased serum creatinine or oliguria

Symptoms of Acute Renal Failure

The following features are indicative of Acute Renal Failure:
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abnormal heart rhythms
  • rashes
  • decreased urine output
  • fluid retention
  • swelling in legs, ankles or feet
  • drowsiness
  • shortness of breath
  • confusion
  • seizures or coma in severe cases
  • chest pain or pressure
It is possible that Acute Renal Failure shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Acute Renal Failure

The following are the most common causes of Acute Renal Failure:
  • acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
  • autoimmune kidney disease
  • cholesterol emboli
  • decreased blood flow
  • disorders causing clotting within the kidney blood vessels
  • acute pyelonephritis or septicemia infections

Other Causes of Acute Renal Failure

The following are the less common causes of Acute Renal Failure:
  • pregnancy complications like placenta abruption or placenta previa
  • urinary tract blockage
  • use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin
  • HIV drugs use
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use
  • use of certain blood pressure medicines

Risk Factors for Acute Renal Failure

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Acute Renal Failure:
  • being hospitalized for a serious condition
  • advanced age
  • peripheral artery disease
  • diabetes
  • hypertension
  • heart failure
  • kidney diseases
  • liver diseases

Prevention of Acute Renal Failure

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Acute Renal Failure. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • take over-the-counter pain medications carefully
  • follow doctor's recommendations for any prior kidney disease
  • make a healthy lifestyle

Occurrence of Acute Renal Failure

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Acute Renal Failure cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Acute Renal Failure can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Acute Renal Failure can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Acute Renal Failure

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Acute Renal Failure:
  • Urine output measurements: To determine the cause of kidney failure
  • Urinalysis: To reveal abnormalities regarding kidney failure
  • Serum creatinine test: To measure kidney function
  • Urea test: To measure kidney function
  • Ultrasound: To check kidney functions
  • Computerized tomography: To check kidney functions
  • Kidney biopsy: To check for kidney abnormalities

Doctor for Diagnosis of Acute Renal Failure

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Acute Renal Failure:
  • Nephrologist

Complications of Acute Renal Failure if untreated

Yes, Acute Renal Failure causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Acute Renal Failure is left untreated:
  • fluid buildup in lungs
  • muscle weakness
  • chest pain
  • death

Procedures for Treatment of Acute Renal Failure

The following procedures are used to treat Acute Renal Failure:
  • Dialysis: To remove toxins from blood

Self-care for Acute Renal Failure

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Acute Renal Failure:
  • Lower potassium foods: Intake of low potassium food helps protecting kidneys
  • Avoid high salt food: Helps protect kidneys from further damage
  • Limit phosphorus intake: Helps maintaining bone health and prevents skin itchiness

Patient Support for Treatment of Acute Renal Failure

The following actions may help Acute Renal Failure patients:
  • Consult renal social worker: Provides emotional support
  • Consult mental health counselor or psychiatrist: Helps coping with depression and other mental health issues
  • Family and friends support: Strong support system of family and friends helps dealing with problems and life changes

Time for Treatment of Acute Renal Failure

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Acute Renal Failure to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 6 months - 1 year

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Acute Renal Failure.

Related Topics

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