Acute Kidney (Renal) Failure - Symptoms And Treatment

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a very serious, but treatable condition, and is a result of the loss of kidney function. There are various symptoms and treatments for acute renal failure or otherwise known as Acute Kidney Failure, or Acute Kidney Injury.

So What is Acute Renal Failure?

Acute kidney failure, as stated before, is the sudden loss of kidney function. As you may well be aware, your kidneys are responsible for removing waste products from the body, and help to balance other minerals in your body and bloodstream. They are an essential part of the body, as the body can not work at all without them. With acute kidney failure, if your kidneys stop working, your body will soon build up with a large amount of waste products, toxins and other fluids and can, as a result, turn fatal.

How is Acute Renal Failure Caused?

There are various causes of acute renal failure. Some of which related to other causes in the body, which can affect the kidneys, while others are directly related.

Blockage of urine flow.

This can cause kidney failure by blocking the excretion of waste in the kidneys. It can be caused by a tumor, swollen prostate, urinary tract blockage or infection, an injury, or very commonly - kidney stones.


Loss of blood flow to the kidneys.

Any type of bodily injury, but more specifically, localized injuries to the kidneys can cause sudden blood flow loss, which can result in serious damage to the kidneys. This can also be the result of an infection, commonly known as sepsis. Extended dehydration can also cause serious damage.

Certain medications can cause acute kidney failure.

There are some medications, which can have some very large side affects on the kidneys. This is not a related medication, but usually from people suffering other extended illnesses. Many of these types of medications can be found in some antibiotics, blood pressure medications, certain dyes used in CT scans, and more commonly some pain killers. All of these can have a poisoning effect on the kidneys and must not be taken for extended periods of time. If you suffer from any of these conditions, it is important to try to find other means of coping, including finding ways to fix the first cause of the problem.

Who is at risk of Acute Kidney Failure?

Some people may be more at risk of acute kidney failure. For those suffering chronic conditions such as heart conditions, obesity, liver disease, high blood pressure and other organ conditions, they will have more chance at suffering from acute renal failure. Again, as mentioned earlier, it is essential to look at ways to reduce stress on the kidneys if suffering the above condition to help avoid any chances of acute renal failure or kidney disease.

What are the common symptoms of Acute Renal Failure?

Prior to any form of kidney disease being clear, symptoms can be seen to be very mild, and may even remain unnoticed by some until it is too late. It is important that if you have any of these common symptoms, to act immediately. Common symptoms of acute renal failure may include fluid retention (swelling in the body - usually the feet and hands), loss of appetite, urinating problems, some vomiting and nausea, dizziness, pain in the lower back and general feelings of restlessness. For people who are already suffering other long-term medical conditions, these symptoms may go unnoticed and may be thought to be related to the current illness. It is important to remember that the slightest sign of acute renal failure symptoms, steps must be take to help treat the condition.

How is tell if you have Acute Kidney Failure

Acute kidney failure is determined by simple medical tests. On consultation of your symptoms with your doctor, urine and blood samples must be taken. These can help show the toxicity of your blood and urine, and can help decide if you are now at risk of acute renal failure. Other tests such as monitoring your fluid intake and loss are very important, to help indicate if there is any fluid retention being caused.

How to treat Acute Kidney Failure

Acute renal failure has some forms of treatment which require a hospital stays and ongoing treatments. This is all dependent on severity of the acute renal failure and the symptoms or causes of the renal problems. These treatments can range from dialysis, medications and surgery. Depending how far along the renal failure is will depend upon which treatment is selected. Many doctors are now discovering however, that acute renal failure is primarily caused due to poor nutrition and lifestyle factors, as with almost all medical conditions. Some of our preferred western foods contain preservatives and chemicals that are not able to be processed by our body.

Along with this, they usually contains large amounts of sodium, and potassium, which are not at all good for anyone battling with kidney disease. The kidney diet was created based on eastern diets (who now have very rare cases of genetic related renal failure) and has proven to help treat and even reverse the onset of acute kidney failure.

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