1. A Medical Emergency
Acute renal failure is a medical emergency that occurs when there is a sudden drop in function involving both kidneys. Although most cases occur in patients who are already in the hospital for some other illness, some of the causes for otherwise healthy kidneys may be a sudden decrease in blood volume, an accident injuring the kidneys, poisoning or damage from particular drugs. Whatever the cause, your kidneys rapidly lose the ability to excrete waste products, causing a buildup of toxins in the blood. Permanent loss of kidney function may result; however, acute renal failure is reversible if your kidneys have not suffered serious damage.
2. When Kidney Function Declines
Kidney function declines over a few days or weeks and may not produce any noticeable symptoms. When symptoms are present, they may include swelling of the hands and feet, nausea and vomiting, flank pain and possibly confusion, anxiety and exhaustion. A decrease in urinary output occurs 70 percent of the time, but a diagnosis of acute renal failure usually depends on blood and urine tests. These include a blood chemistry test to see if your levels of sodium, potassium and calcium are normal and a test to check the blood levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Your doctor may also schedule an ultrasound of your kidneys to get a better idea of what is going on.
3. Cause and Treatment
Treatment depends on what caused the acute renal failure in the first place. It involves removing or treating the cause, supporting the kidneys during the healing process and preventing, or treating damage to the kidneys. To prevent dehydration and fluid overload, you'll have your intake and output monitored closely and you'll follow a specialized diet that causes less stress on the kidneys while meeting all of your nutritional needs. You may or may not receive intravenous medication to increase urinary output, depending on the severity of your illness.
4. Support for Your Kidneys
Sometimes dialysis is necessary to support the kidneys until they recover enough to function on their own. It's is a way of filtering wastes and removing extra fluid from the blood and may be either hemodialysis, which is used most often, or peritoneal dialysis. The first involves filtering the blood through a machine, and the other filters it through the permeable peritoneal membrane in your abdomen. The latter can be done at home after you learn the proper technique.
5. Recovery Phase
Acute renal failure may last a few days or a few months, depending on how long it takes to discover the source of the problem. Your chances of recovery depend on the cause, how long the failure lasted and what other medical problems you might have. There is a 50 percent chance of a full recovery if there are no other complications. However, a few people may require long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant, in which case your doctor will discuss dietary guidelines based on your remaining kidney function and existing health conditions, as well as other aspects of your care while on dialysis.
