Acute Kidney (Renal) Failure: Symptoms, Causes, Stages And Risk Factors

Do you know why kidneys are one of the most resilient organs in your body? It is because, even after undergoing damage, they try to revive their lost functioning. However, this often means your body receives the warning signs much later. Acute renal failure is a medical condition. It affects more than 10% of the global population. Around 5% of hospitalized patients can develop it.

What exactly does this condition mean? Acute renal failure is the deterioration of kidney function over a certain period. It leads to the failure of the kidneys to remove nitrogenous waste efficiently and maintain internal body stability (homeostasis). 

Often, it accompanies other chronic health issues, such as diabetes and hypertension. The good news is that this condition is not permanent. You can reverse it by starting acute renal failure treatment early. Read this article to explore the causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and prevention of acute kidney failure.

Identifying the Symptoms of Acute Kidney Failure

Individuals with acute renal failure may live for years without knowing they have the condition. Watch out for the following signs and symptoms:

• Lesser than usual urine output
• Swelling (oedema) in legs, feet, and around the eyes due to fluid retention
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained fatigue
• General weakness and confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle cramps
• Chest pain
• Bloody stools
• Metallic taste in your mouth

Causes of Acute Renal Failure

While some forms of acute renal failure may be temporary, some turn chronic. The primary causes of acute kidney failure are as follows:

• Low Blood Supply 

Shock or trauma can lead to low blood pressure. It causes a decreased blood flow to the kidneys. Due to this, the kidneys do not receive enough oxygen to carry out blood filtration efficiently, causing acute renal failure. 

• Effects of Medications and Toxins

Certain medicines, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, can harm the kidneys. Chemotherapy drugs, toxins like chemicals and metal solvents, imaging drugs, and intravenous dyes pass through the kidney and may damage them.

• Kidney Infections and Injuries

Infections like nephritis and septicemia can injure the kidneys. Other conditions that cause intrinsic kidney damage include blood clots in the kidney's blood vessels, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and kidney stones. 

• Renal Obstructions

A leading cause of acute kidney failure is renal artery or urinary tract blockage. Urinary tract obstructions can occur due to an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, or nerve damage. These blockages cut off the oxygen supply to the kidneys.

• Underlying Health Conditions

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels that can damage the kidneys. If you have hypertension, the extra force with which blood flows through your kidney vessels may lead to acute renal failure. 

• Pregnancy Complications

Placental abruption and placenta previa may lead to acute kidney failure.

What are The Risk Factors Involved?

African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians are at a higher risk of developing acute renal failure. Moreover, if an individual has undergone the condition earlier, they are prone to face it again. Here are some factors that increase your risk of developing acute kidney failure:

• Being above 60 years of age

• Having a family history of kidney disease

• Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or heart and liver diseases

• Being hospitalized in the intensive care unit for a long time

• Undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapies for cancer

• Blood vessel blockages in arms and legs

• Having a history of taking anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers

• Abnormal kidney structure

• Having prior heart or abdominal surgery and bone marrow transplants

Stages of Acute Renal Failure

The following table illustrates the five stages of acute kidney failure based on the functioning capacity of the kidneys:

Diagnosis and Tests For Acute Renal Failure

The key to successful acute renal failure treatment is early diagnosis. Your healthcare provider may ask you to run some kidney function tests if you are at high risk of developing the condition. In some cases, you may require a kidney biopsy (removing a sample of kidney tissue for testing). The common diagnostic renal function tests are:

• Urine Tests - Urine analysis and urine output measurements (for instance, measuring the quantity of urine urinated in 24 hours) are common methods of diagnosing kidney failure.

• Blood Tests - Measuring urea and creatinine levels in blood determine the status of kidney function and help in the early diagnosis of kidney failure.

• Imaging Tests - A renal ultrasound or urogram CT scan reveals details about the kidneys, enabling the doctors to diagnose your condition better.

• Renal Scintigraphy - Radiotracers and gamma cameras help in evaluating kidney function.

Acute Renal Failure Treatment and Prevention

Here are some remedial measures to prevent and manage further complications:

• Administering intravenous fluids can help regain the electrolytic balance of your body.

• Prescribed medications restore your blood potassium and calcium levels.

• Dialysis may be necessary to remove the toxin build-up from your bloodstream.

• Kidney transplantation is an option in severe cases. 

Some steps to prevent acute kidney failure include regularly monitoring kidney function, preserving a healthy weight, and following up with your healthcare provider. Maintain adequate fluid intake. Keep your sugar and blood pressure levels in check. Avoid tobacco products and foods rich in sodium.

Conclusion

Acute renal failure does not affect just the kidneys. Multiple organs may feel its effects. However, by maintaining healthy sugar and cholesterol levels and regulating blood pressure, you can manage acute kidney failure effectively. Supportive therapies to preserve fluid and electrolyte balances help improve the condition further. It is possible to recover nearly normal kidney function with intensive treatment.

If you want to know about your kidney's functional status, choose Metropolis Labs for your renal function tests. Our technicians also conduct kidney biopsies and kidney stone analyses. Receive your test reports in the next 24 hours. 

Healthcare providers trust our testing facilities. Our pricing structure is transparent and there are no hidden charges. Visit our website or download the Metropolis TruHealth app to get further details and read associated articles. Contact us here for any queries.