Acute Renal Failure

What is Acute Renal Failure?

renal failure associated with burns or other trauma or with acute infection or obstruction of the urinary tract.Means that your kidneys have suddenly stopped working.

Causes of Acute Renal Failure

3 of the main reasons for kidney failure are :1. A sudden serious drop in blood flow to the

kidneys. A bad infection called sepsis can reduce blood flow. Dehydration can also harm the kidneys

2. Damage from some medications, poisons or infections. Most people don’t have issues with medications but those who have long-term health problems are more likely to.

Some items that can cause this are:Antibiotics such as gentamicin and

streptomycinPain medicines such as aspirin and

ibuprofenSome blood pressure medicationsSome dyes used in some x ray tests.

3. A sudden blockage that stops urine from flowing out of the kidneys. Some examples of this would be: Kidney stones Tumor An injury Enlarged prostate

Kidney tumors

Greater risk for Acute Renal Failure

You are at greater risk for ARF if : You’re an older adult Have long-term health problems such as

Kidney or liver disease Diabetes High blood pressure Heart failure Obesity If your already very ill

Having surgery on your heart or belly or even bone marrow transplants can make kidney failure more likely.

Symptoms

Little or no urine when you urinate Swelling in legs/feet Loss of appetite Nausea or vomiting Confusion, anxious or restless, sleepy Pain in back just below rib cage ( flank pain)Some more causes of Acute Renal Failure can be:cont….

(ATN) Acute tubular necrosis which is blood clots caused from cholesterol (cholesterol emboli)Hemorrhage, injury, septic shock.

There are some infections that can directly injure the kidneys such as: Acute pyelonephritis or septicemia There are also conditions in pregnancy that can affect the kidneys. The two main one are: Placenta abruptio and Placenta previa.Some of the symptoms you can experience from these types of complications may be:

Flank pain Hand tremors Slow, sluggish movements Bloody stools Bruising easily Metallic taste in mouth Seizures Decreased sensation ( hands and feet) Nose bleeds Changes in urination

Some tests that can be done to check kidney functions are: BUN Creatinine clearance Serum creatinine Serum potassium Urinalysis

Kidney Rejection

Treatments

Treatments relays a lot on whether the cause can be found. You may need antibiotics to prevent infection. You may also be given a diuretic or medicines through a vein to control blood potassium levels. For some patients Dialysis may be needed.

Dialysis could be needed if:

o You develop pericarditiso Retain to much fluido You cannot eliminate nitrogen waste products

from your body.

Acute Tubular Necrosis

Acute Tubular Necrosis

Is a kidney disorder involving damage to the tubule cells of the kidneys, which can lead to ARF( acute renal failure).ATN is caused by a lack of oxygen to the kidney tissues. Which can also occur if the cells have been damaged by poison or harmful substances. ATN is one of the most common causes of kidney failure.

Risks of ATN include:

Blood transfusion reaction Injury or trauma that damages the muscles Low blood pressure lasting longer then 30 minutes Recent major surgery Septic shock due to severe infectionHaving liver disease or diabetes can make you more susceptible for this condition.

Symptoms and test that can be done:

o Coma o Delirium or confusiono Decreased urine output or no urine outputo Nausea or vomiting

Bun/ serum creatinine Fractional excretion of sodium Kidney biopsy

As well as a Urine specific gravity and Osmolarity urine.

Treatments

Treatments may include :Restricting fluid intake to a volume equal to the volume of urine produced.Taking medications to help control potassium levels in bloodstream.

Referenceshttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/acute-renal-failure-topic-overviewhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000501.htmhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000512.htm