MedlinePlus defines acute renal failure as an inability of the kidneys to remove wastes and maintain normal electrolyte levels. Acute renal failure occurs quickly and has several causes. These causes include autoimmune kidney disease, septic shock, injury to the kidneys, burns, pregnancy complications, surgery and dehydration. A special diet helps patients with this condition to avoid complications.
Significance
When acute renal failure impairs kidney function, the kidneys do not filter waste and maintain normal fluid and electrolyte levels. As fluid builds up in the body, water retention causes swelling of the feet, ankles and legs. When waste products accumulate in the blood, they cause itchy skin, nausea, fatigue and other kidney disease symptoms. Without treatment, acute renal failure could progress to chronic renal failure and cause serious medical complications.
Caloric Intake
Patients with acute renal failure have different calorie needs than those without this condition. Acute renal failure can lead to nutritional deficiencies, so the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends consuming 30 to 45 calories per kg of body weight each day. Using this recommendation, a 150-lb. person would consume 2,046 to 3,069 calories each day. The AAFP further recommends that people with this condition should restrict their protein intake to 0.6g of protein per one kg of body weight each day. A 150-lb. person would consume no more than 41g of protein each day using this guideline.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Acute kidney failure affects the amounts of sodium and potassium in the body. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University explains that hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels, occurs when the kidneys cannot eliminate potassium properly. Reducing the amount of potassium in the diet helps patients with acute renal failure prevent this condition. Patients should avoid or limit the intake of high-potassium foods such as chocolate, oranges, yams, potatoes, winter squash and tomatoes.
Acute kidney failure also makes it more difficult for the kidneys to maintain normal sodium levels. As sodium accumulates in the blood, it causes the body to retain water. Water retention increases blood volume, which increases blood pressure due to the increased workload of the heart, as reported by MayoClinic.com. Reducing the amount of sodium consumed each day prevents these complications. The acute renal diet limits the amount of table salt, salted snack foods, canned vegetables and soups, cheeses, breads and fast foods eaten each day.
Fluid Restriction
Because acute renal failure causes fluid to build up in the body, a doctor may recommend fluid restriction. This means a patient should limit the intake of beverages and any foods that turn into liquids when eaten. These foods include pudding, gelatin, ice cream, ice pops and soup. Whether a person needs to limit fluid consumption will depend on the severity of the acute renal failure.
Testing
While following a diet for acute renal failure, patients need regular monitoring. Regular testing reveals abnormal electrolyte levels or high levels of waste products in the blood. The tests ordered to monitor the effectiveness of an acute renal diet include the urinalysis and blood tests for blood urea nitrogen and creatinine--waste products produced during the metabolism of protein. The basic metabolic panel also checks the amounts of sodium and potassium in the blood, which could indicate the need for diet modification.
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