Acute Kidney Failure

What is acute renal failure?
Acute renal failure (also called acute kidney injury) means that your kidneys
have suddenly stopped working. Your kidneys remove waste products and help balance water and salt and other minerals (electrolytes) in your blood. When your kidneys stop working, waste products, fluids, and electrolytes build up in your body. This can cause problems that can be deadly.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of acute renal failure may include:
· Little or no urine when you urinate.
· Swelling, especially in your legs and feet.
· Not feeling like eating.
· Nausea and vomiting.
· Feeling confused, anxious and restless, or sleepy.
· Pain in the back just below the rib cage. This is called flank pain.
Some people may not have any symptoms. And for people who are already quite ill, the problem that's causing the kidney failure may be causing other symptoms.
Treating Acute Kidney Failure
Treatment will depend on the cause of your acute kidney failure. The goal is to restore normal kidney function. Preventing fluids and wastes from building up in your body while your kidneys recover is important.
Your doctor will restrict your diet and the amount of liquids you eat and drink. The goal is to reduce the buildup of toxins that are normally eliminated by the kidneys. A diet high in carbohydrates and low in protein, salt, and potassium is usually recommended.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat or prevent any infections that occur at the same time. Diuretics may be used to help your kidneys eliminate fluid. Calcium and insulin can be given to help avoid dangerous increases in your blood potassium levels.

Dialysis might be needed, but is not always necessary. Dialysis involves diverting blood out of your body into a machine that filters out waste. The clean blood is then returned to your body. If potassium levels are dangerously high, dialysis can save your life. Dialysis is used if there are changes in your mental status, or if you stop urinating. You may also need dialysis if you develop pericarditis, inflammation of the heart. Dialysis can help eliminate nitrogen waste products from your body.