Acute Renal Failure


Acute renal failure means that your kidneys have suddenly stopped working. Your kidneys remove waste products and help balance water, salt and other minerals in your blood. When your kidneys stop working there is an imbalance in these products within the blood. This can cause problems that can be deadly.

Acute renal failure has three main causes:
A sudden, serious drop in blood flow to the kidneys due to heavy blood loss from an injury or infection
Damage from some medicines, poisons, or infections
A sudden blockage that stops urine from flowing out of the kidneys. Kidney stones, a tumour, an injury, or an enlarged prostate gland can cause this type of blockage.

Symptoms of acute renal failure may include:
Little or no urine when you urinate.
Swelling, especially in your legs and feet.
Not feeling like eating.
Nausea and vomiting.
Feeling confused, anxious and restless, or sleepy.
Pain in the back just below the rib cage.

A doctor will diagnose you with Acute Renal Failure, based on your symptoms, what medicines you take, and what tests you have had. Your symptoms can also help point to the cause of your kidney problem.