Acute Kidney Injury

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When your kidneys abruptly cease functioning, typically within a span of two days or less, this condition is termed Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). AKI is also referred to as acute renal failure or acute kidney failure, and it demands immediate attention.

In contrast to kidney failure that stems from gradual deterioration, AKI often exhibits the potential for reversibility when promptly identified and treated. If you were in good health prior to the sudden onset of kidney failure and received immediate treatment for AKI, there's a strong likelihood that your kidneys may regain normal or near-normal functionality following the treatment. Nevertheless, some individuals may experience enduring kidney damage post-AKI, a condition known as chronic kidney disease. Without appropriate measures to prevent further deterioration of kidney health, this chronic kidney disease could eventually progress to kidney failure.

If you are seeking treatment for Acute Kidney Injury or chronic kidney disease, especially in the Faridabad area, it's essential to consult with specialized medical professionals, such as Acute Kidney Injury Treatment Doctors in Faridabad. These experts can offer tailored acute renal failure treatments and chronic kidney disease treatments to address your specific needs and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Who gets acute kidney injury?

People who are in the intensive care unit (ICU) are more likely than people who are in other units of the hospital to have AKI. This is because people who need to be in the ICU are already very sick.

Other things that can increase your risk of having AKI include:

  • Being age 65 or above
  • Having a kidney disease or kidney problem
  • Having high blood pressure
  • Having a chronic disease, such as heart disease, liver disease or diabetes
  • Having peripheral artery disease (a condition that makes it hard for your blood to get to your arms and legs)
What are the symptoms of acute kidney injury?

Symptoms may include:

  • Not enough urine
  • Swelling in your legs, ankles or feet
  • Feeling tired
  • Trouble catching your breath
  • Feeling confused
  • Nausea
  • Pain or pressure in your chest

If you have very severe AKI, you may have seizures or fall into a coma.

What causes acute kidney injury?

Acute kidney injury (AKI) usually happens when your kidneys are damaged suddenly. The damage that leads to AKI may be caused by:

  • Not enough blood flowing through your kidneys
  • An injury directly to your kidneys or a problem with your kidneys
  • A blockage in your ureters, the tubes that take urine from your kidneys to your bladder

Some examples of problems that can cause you to have too little blood flowing through your kidneys are:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Bleeding too much
  • Having severe diarrhea
  • Heart disease or heart attack
  • Infection
  • Liver failure
  • Using NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen
  • Serious burns
  • Being very dehydrated (not having enough fluid in your body)
  • Severe allergic reaction

Some examples of problems that can cause direct damage to your kidneys are:

  • Blood clots in or around the kidneys
  • Diseases that affect the kidneys, such as glomerulonephritis and lupus
  • Infection
  • Certain medicines, such as some chemotherapy drugs, some antibiotics and contrast dyes used during CT scans, MRI scans and other imaging tests
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Some blood or blood vessel disorders

Some examples of problems that could cause a blockage in your urinary tract are:

  • Some cancers
  • Blood clots in or around the kidneys
  • Kidney stones
  • Bladder problems
  • Enlarged prostate (in men)
What is the treatment for acute kidney injury?

The treatment for AKI depends on what caused it to happen. Most people need to stay in the hospital during treatment and until their kidneys recover. While you are being treated for the problem that caused your AKI, you may also have treatments to prevent problems that can make it harder for your kidneys to heal. Some possible treatments include:

  • Temporary hemodialysis to do the work that your kidneys should be doing, until they can recover
  • Medicines to control the amounts of vitamins and minerals in your blood
  • Treatments to keep the right amount of fluid in your blood

When you return home, your doctor may ask you to follow a kidney-friendly diet plan to help your kidneys continue to heal. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a dietitian, who can help you make a kidney-friendly diet plan that works for you.

How can I prevent acute kidney injury?

Because AKI happens suddenly, it can be hard to predict or prevent it. But taking good care of your kidneys can help prevent AKI, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure/ESRD. Follow these general rules to keep your kidneys as healthy as possible:

  • Work with your doctor to manage diabetes and high blood pressure.
  • Live healthy! Eat a diet low in salt and fat, exercise for 30 minutes at least five days per week, limit alcohol and take all prescription medicines as your doctor tells you to.
  • If you take over-the-counter pain medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, do not take more than is recommended on the package. Taking too much of these medicines can hurt your kidneys and can cause AKI.