Understanding Acute Renal Failure
Acute renal failure is a more severe form of acute kidney injury (AKI). While the terms are frequently used interchangeably, acute kidney injury is a broad term that can refer to a range of conditions.
Acute renal failure happens when kidney function is severely impaired, while urine output is less than 500 mL/day (average is between 800 and 2000 mL/day). Because it is urgent, acute renal failure may require immediate dialysis treatment to remove waste products from the blood. It is also associated with a higher risk of complications, including infection, and heart failure. Put simply, it is a serious condition that requires expert, specialized care.
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- High blood pressure
- Decreased urine output (oliguria) or no urine output (anuria)
- Dark or foamy urine
- Fluid retention, resulting in swelling the feet, ankles, legs or face
Causes
- Decreased blood flow to the kidneys
- Heart failure
- Sepsis
- Low blood pressure
- Injury
- Infection
- Autoimmune disorders
- Kidney stones
- Tumors
- Enlarged prostate
Treatment Options
Treatment options for acute kidney injury and acute kidney failure depend on what causes the conditions. Finding the root cause is critical, and requires an expert’s care. Some common treatment options include:
- Fluid injection
- Antibiotics
- Placing a urine catheter
- Dialysis
Depending on the cause and severity of the acute renal failure, some of these treatments may be temporary, while others may be longer term. Drawing from their years of experience, our expert nephrologists will diagnose the exact cause of the acute renal failure, and develop a personalized treatment plan for your condition.
How We Help
At KidneyCare Oklahoma, our treatment doesn’t stop when you leave our clinic. As your trusted partner in kidney health, we provide ongoing support, including medication (if needed), monitoring, and education.