Acute Renal Failure (ARF), or Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is when the kidneys suddenly stop working properly.\u00a0 This can be partial or complete. \u00a0If it is complete, you can’t live for very long without some kind of treatment.<\/p>\n
Established ARF that cannot be reversed by getting fluids right or removing toxins because the damage is too severe or the problem too long-lasting. \u00a0This often puts the kidney into a state of ‘hibernation’ during which very little urine is produced.\u00a0 Under the microscope at this time the tubules of each nephron look sick and this appearance is called Acute Tubular Necrosis, or ATN.<\/p>\n
This is the commonest cause of acute renal failure in patients referred to renal units for dialysis for ARF\/AKI.\u00a0 You usually just have to sit it out until the kidneys recover. \u00a0This may take days to weeks. During that time, careful monitoring of fluids and diet is required, and temporary support by dialysis is often necessary, to give time for the kidneys to recover. Nothing is yet know to speed up recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dialysis (removal of toxins from blood) may be necessary when<\/p>\n
When AKI is prolonged, infections and malnutrition can be serious problems.<\/p>\n
Often it is obvious, because the AKI occurs at a time of severe illness. \u00a0However<\/p>\n
Acute interstitial nephritis<\/a> Although many people recover almost completely from AKI, some are left with some kidney scarring and reduced kidney function.\u00a0\u00a0This depends on the cause and the severity, and how young and fit you are when it happens.<\/p>\n A small proportion of people don’t recover and end up with end-stage renal failure<\/a>. \u00a0This is unusual.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Acknowledgements: <\/span><\/strong>The authors of this page were Neil Turner and Caroline Whitworth. It was first published in 2010. The date it was last modified is shown in the footer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
Crescentic nephritis<\/a>
Glomerulonephritis<\/a> – may need special treatments too<\/p>\nWill any damage remain?<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n