Acute renal failure is the sudden loss of kidney function. When
acute renal failure occurs, the kidneys are unable to remove waste products and
excess fluids, which then build up in the body and upset the body's normal
chemical balance.
The most common causes of acute renal failure are dehydration,
blood loss from major surgery or injury, or medicines such as nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, or the dyes (contrast agents)
used in X-ray tests.
Symptoms depend on the cause of the problem and can include:
- Little or no urine
output.
- Dizziness upon standing.
- Swelling, especially
of the legs and feet.
- Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
- Feeling confused, anxious and restless, or sleepy.
- Pain in the flank, which is felt just below the rib cage and above the waist on one or both sides of the back.
The treatment of acute renal failure includes correcting the
cause and supporting the kidneys with dialysis until proper
functioning is restored. Most people who develop acute renal failure are
already in the hospital.