Acute kidney failure

Acute kidney failure (also known as acute kidney injury or AKI) is a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. AKI causes a build-up of waste products in your blood and makes it hard for your kidneys to keep the right balance of fluids in your body.

Causes

Acute kidney failure can occur when:

• There is a sudden, serious drop in blood flow to the kidneys. Heavy blood loss, an injury, or a bad infection called sepsis can reduce blood flow to the kidneys. Not enough fluids in your body (dehydration) also can harm the kidneys.
• Damage from some medicines, poisons, or infections. Most people don't have any kidney problems from taking medicines. But people who have serious, long-term health problems are more likely than other people to have a kidney problem from medicines.
• A sudden blockage that stops urine from flowing out of the kidneys. Kidney stones, a tumor, an injury, or an enlarged prostate gland can cause a blockage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of acute kidney failure may include:

• Decreased urine output, although occasionally urine output remains normal
• Fluid retention, causing swelling in your legs, ankles or feet
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain or pressure
• Seizures or coma in severe cases

Treatment

Treatment for acute kidney failure typically requires a hospital stay. Most people with acute kidney failure are already in the hospital for another reason when they develop kidney failure.

Treatment options include:

• Dialysis: This helps to remove toxins from your body when your kidneys can't.
• Medications: These are used to balance the amount of fluids in your blood.
• Treating the underlying cause: This could include stopping any medications that could be causing your kidney failure.

Prevention

Prevention of acute kidney failure can include:

• Avoiding certain medications that can cause AKI
• Managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
• Regular check-ups with your doctor if you are at risk

See also

• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney disease
• Kidney failure
• Dialysis
• Sepsis