Acute kidney failure

Causes and risk factors:

Acute renal failure is one of the common complications of underlying diseases seeking admission in hospital. Severely ill patient and people with low immune system are more prone for it. Direct injury to the kidney due to trauma or accident is one of the common causes of kidney failure. Severe kidney infection can lead to acute kidney failure. Arterial blockage of the kidney due to tumor or kidney stone can complicate the condition leading to failure. An individual with extensive burns, suffering from falciparum malaria, acute pancreatitis, and severe gastrointestinal illness is at high risk for developing kidney failure. Excessive exposure to medications like some antibiotics, or excess exposure to metals is other contributing factor. Liver diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure can predispose renal failure.

Clinical presentations:

Decrease urine output is one of the most important symptoms seen. As a result retention of fluid occurs leading to edema on lower extremities (ankle).Nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue and drowsiness occurs. Numbness both at the physical and mental level along with irregular heartbeat, anemia, confusion, seizures, chest pain, weakness of muscles are other symptoms seen. The person can land up in coma. Acute renal failure increases the risk for death also.

Diagnosis and investigations:

Diagnosis is done on the basis of symptoms narrated by the patient and the palpation of the abdomen carried out by the doctor. Certain investigations which are recommended are urine analysis (Urine Routine and urine culture), complete blood count and renal function test. Renal ultrasound or CT scan, intravenous urogram and Cystoscopy are the other investigations which can be done. Certain other test can be done to monitor the other underlying causes and other affections.

Treatment:

Acute renal failure is a fatal disease and needs prompt treatment. Treating the underlying cause is the main line of treatment. The person is hospitalized and is kept under close monitoring. IV fluids are started, diuretic agents are administered. Fluid replacement therapy along with Hemodialysis is done to remove the waste products of the body. Avoidance of nephrotoxic substances is the most important measure to be implemented. Well balance nutrition intake is mandatory for patients with acute renal failure.

Other modes of treatment:

The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating kidney failure. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms.

Recent update:

An analysis carried out by the experts of the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences have concluded that treating kidney failure by removing waste products from the blood did not improve survival chances for people who suddenly developed the condition.