Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden decline in the ability of your kidneys to work and perform their normal functions. AKI is sometimes called acute kidney failure or acute renal failure.
AKI is very serious and needs to be treated right away to prevent lasting kidney damage. If AKI is treated early, most people will return to their previous kidney function. If you were healthy before AKI and you get treated right away, your kidneys could work normally or almost normally after treatment.
AKI can sometimes lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This usually happens if the AKI causes severe damage to the kidneys. In time, CKD can cause your kidneys to stop working altogether. This is known as kidney failure, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Who has a higher chance of getting AKI?
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden decline in the ability of your kidneys to work and perform their normal functions. AKI is sometimes called acute kidney failure or acute renal failure.
AKI can sometimes lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This usually happens if the AKI causes severe damage to the kidneys. In time, CKD can cause your kidneys to stop working altogether. This is known as kidney failure, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Who has a higher chance of getting AKI?
People who are sick and in the hospital have a higher chance of AKI. People who are in the intensive care unit (ICU) are even more likely to have AKI.
You have a higher chance of AKI if you:
Just had bypass (or other major) surgery
Were in the hospital for COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Are age 65 or older
Have heart disease, congestive heart failure or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Have a history of kidney disease
Have severe, uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Take insulin for diabetes.
Have peripheral artery disease (a condition that makes it hard for your blood to get to your arms and legs)
Are severely dehydrated or unable to keep fluids in your body.
What are the symptoms of AKI?
In milder forms of AKI, there may not be any signs or symptoms and your doctor may find it when doing tests to look for other things.
In more severe forms of AKI, signs and symptoms may include:
Urinating (peeing) less often
Swelling in your legs, ankles or feet
Feeling weak and tired
Feeling like you cannot catch your breath
Feeling confused
Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling pain or pressure in your chest
Seizures or coma (in severe cases of AKI)
There is direct damage to your kidneys (intrarenal)
Some conditions can cause damage to your kidneys and lead to AKI, including:
Blood clots in your kidneys
Diseases that affect the kidneys, such as glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis.
Infection
Medicines, such as:
Some chemotherapy drugs
Some antibiotics
Contrast dyes used in CT scans, MRIs and other imaging tests.
Alcohol or drug abuse
Some blood or blood vessel disorders, such as vasculitis
It can be hard to predict or prevent AKI. But living healthy and taking good care of your kidneys can help. If you have any of these causes, talk to your doctor about how you can prevent AKI. Swanand Kidney Clinic specializes in the acute kidney failure treatment in Pune. Our team of experienced nephrologists provides comprehensive care using advanced diagnostic tests and personalized treatment plans.
