Acute renal failure, also called acute kidney injury (AKI), means your kidneys stop working suddenly. It can show up in hours or days. You might feel tired, notice less urine, or see swelling. Sometimes lab tests catch it before you feel sick. Treating AKI quickly often prevents long-term damage.
AKI can come from three main problems: not enough blood flow to the kidneys, direct kidney damage, or blockage of urine flow. Low blood flow happens with severe dehydration, major surgery, serious infection, or a sudden drop in blood pressure. Direct damage can be from certain medicines, infections, or toxins. Blockage could be an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, or tumors.
Look for signs such as reduced urine output, swelling in legs or face, shortness of breath, confusion, nausea, and chest pain. Lab findings include rising creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and abnormal electrolytes like high potassium. Symptoms do not always match test results, so doctors rely on both exams and lab data.
If you suspect AKI, get medical care fast. Diagnosis starts with history, physical exam, and blood and urine tests. Doctors may order ultrasound or CT to check for blockages. Treatment depends on the cause. Restoring blood flow and fluids helps when dehydration or low perfusion is the issue. Stopping or changing medicines that harm kidneys is a common fix. If an obstruction is present, removing it usually restores kidney function.
In more severe cases, temporary dialysis may be needed to remove waste and control potassium and fluid. Antibiotics treat infections that caused kidney injury. Hospital monitoring watches urine output, weight, electrolytes, and blood pressure to guide therapy. Early action gives the best chance of recovery.
Preventing AKI means staying hydrated during illness or hot weather, avoiding unnecessary NSAIDs and other risky drugs, and managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Before any major surgery or contrast imaging, tell your doctor about kidney issues so they can use preventive steps like IV fluids or alternative imaging.
Keep a list of your medicines and ask if any raise kidney risk. If you have chronic kidney disease, learn your baseline creatinine so changes are noticed sooner. If you develop sudden swelling, trouble breathing, or very little urine, go to the emergency room right away—these signs can mean severe AKI or dangerous electrolyte changes.
This tag page collects articles and guides about kidney health, medications that affect kidneys, and practical tips for patients and caregivers. Browse the posts below to find detailed drug guides, treatment options, and real-world advice to protect your kidneys.
Simple steps help a lot: check urine output daily when sick, avoid combining multiple painkillers, ask for kidney-safe alternatives, and follow fluid plans after surgery. Caregivers should watch for confusion or rapid weight gain. Early talk with a doctor often keeps AKI short and reversible. Act fast—kidneys can recover. Seek help without delay.
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