Acute kidney failure can be caused by defects in the kidneys, insufficient blood flow, or problems expelling waste products. Symptoms include fatigue, swelling, and inability to urinate, and can lead to seizures, coma, or death if not treated immediately. Dialysis and treatment for underlying problems are necessary to restore kidney function.
Acute kidney failure is a sudden and very dangerous loss of kidney function. When the kidneys stop filtering blood properly, toxins and waste fluids can build up in the bloodstream in potentially lethal quantities. Acute kidney failure can be caused by defects within the organs themselves, insufficient blood flow to the kidneys, or problems expelling waste products after they leave them. An individual suffering from sudden kidney failure many feel tired and sleepy and notice swelling in the extremities and inability to urinate. Seizures, coma or death can occur if dialysis procedures and treatments for underlying problems are not addressed immediately.
Blood flow in the kidneys can be affected by low blood pressure or heart failure. When the kidneys are starved of new blood, they have nothing to filter and consequently shut down. Kidney problems such as inflammation or damage from alcohol and medicines can also lead to acute kidney failure in some cases. Even if the kidneys process waste properly, problems in the tubes leading to the bladder can cause urine backup and kidney failure. Kidney stones, enlarged prostate or other bladder blockages are the main causes of sudden kidney failure.
Kidney failure often causes immediate symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Most people in the early stages of acute kidney failure notice that they are unable to urinate, feel weak or sleepy, and have difficulty breathing. Serious conditions such as seizures or coma can appear quickly or develop after other symptoms are identified. Emergency treatment is usually needed to prevent total loss of kidney function and other chronic health problems. In some cases, acute kidney failure can be fatal if you don’t seek immediate medical attention.
Doctors and nurses usually check for acute kidney failure by doing physical exams and checking blood and urine samples for unusual concentrations of minerals. Specialists may also perform ultrasound or computed tomography scans to confirm a diagnosis and attempt to determine the exact causes of kidney failure. Understanding the underlying cause of kidney problems is essential in deciding the most appropriate treatment procedures.
The first treatment measure in many cases is dialysis, a procedure in which a patient’s blood is filtered by an external machine. The dialysis machine temporarily takes over the function of damaged kidneys until doctors can treat the underlying causes and restore proper blood flow to the organs. Doctors may need to stabilize heart function and blood pressure or remove kidney stones through invasive surgery. By following treatment procedures, many people are able to partially or fully restore healthy kidney function.
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