Acute kidney injury
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
Philadelphia GLP-1 weight loss and GLP-1 clinic NYC
| Acute kidney injury | |
|---|---|
| File:Kidney – acute cortical necrosis.jpg | |
| Synonyms | Acute renal failure (ARF) |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Decreased urine output, fluid retention, fatigue, confusion, nausea, seizures |
| Complications | Chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis |
| Onset | Sudden |
| Duration | Days to weeks |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Ischemia, nephrotoxins, sepsis, obstruction |
| Risks | Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, liver disease, advanced age |
| Diagnosis | Blood tests, urinalysis, ultrasound, biopsy |
| Differential diagnosis | Chronic kidney disease, prerenal azotemia, postrenal azotemia |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Fluid management, dialysis, medications |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Variable, depending on cause and severity |
| Frequency | Common, especially in hospitalized patients |
| Deaths | N/A |
Acute kidney injury (AKI), previously known as acute renal failure, is a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. It causes a build-up of waste products in the blood and makes it hard for the kidneys to maintain the right balance of fluid in the body.
Causes[edit]
AKI can be caused by a variety of factors, which are generally categorized into three main types:
Prerenal causes[edit]
Prerenal causes are due to decreased blood flow to the kidneys. This can occur due to severe dehydration, heart failure, or shock.
Intrinsic renal causes[edit]
Intrinsic renal causes are due to direct damage to the kidneys themselves. This can be due to inflammation, toxins, drugs, infection, or reduced blood supply.
Postrenal causes[edit]
Postrenal causes are due to obstruction of urine flow. This can occur due to kidney stones, tumors, or an enlarged prostate.
Symptoms[edit]
The symptoms of AKI can vary depending on the underlying cause and severity. Common symptoms include:
- Decreased urine output
- Swelling due to fluid retention
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Nausea
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of AKI is based on laboratory tests and imaging studies. Key diagnostic tests include:
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels
- Urinalysis
- Ultrasonography
Treatment[edit]
Treatment of AKI focuses on addressing the underlying cause and supporting kidney function. This may include:
- Fluid management
- Medications to control blood pressure
- Dialysis in severe cases
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis of AKI depends on the underlying cause and the promptness of treatment. Some patients recover completely, while others may develop chronic kidney disease.
Prevention[edit]
Preventive measures include:
- Adequate hydration
- Monitoring and managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension
- Avoiding nephrotoxic drugs when possible
Related pages[edit]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page. |
