Beware of Sudden Decline in Kidney Function

What is Acute Kidney Injury 
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a condition where the kidneys suddenly lose function and cannot filter waste products from the blood. This condition can occur within hours or days.

Symptoms of Acute Kidney Injury 
Signs and symptoms of AKI can vary, depending on many factors such as the cause, severity, and other health conditions. If symptoms occur, they may include one or more of the following conditions:

• Increased kidney function (creatinine ≥0.3 mg/ dl in 48 hours or Increased creatinine up to ≥ 1.5 times the normal value
• Reduced urine production (urine volume <0.5 ml/kgbb/hour for 6 hours)
• Seizures or coma in severe cases.
• Fluid buildup, which can cause shortness of breath and swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet.
• Fatigue.
• Confusion or blurred vision.
• Nauseous.
• Pain in the stomach or on the side under the ribs.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Itchy.
• Loss of appetite.
• Pain or pressure in the chest.
• Seizures or coma in severe cases.

Causes of Acute Kidney Injury 
Most cases of acute kidney failure are caused by reduced blood flow to the kidneys, usually in someone who is already unhealthy due to other health factors or conditions.

The following conditions can cause AKI:

• Prerenal AKI
  • The most common case of fluid loss from the gastrointestinal system such as vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Fluid loss from the skin such as burns
• Intrinsic AKI
  • Patients diagnosed with leukemia or lupus
• Post renal AKI
  • Blockage in the bladder, etc.
     

Acute Kidney Injury Treatment Management

AKI Treatment depends on the cause of the disease and how severe it is. Hermina friends may need to go to the hospital for some treatment.

Some people may continue to experience chronic kidney disease or long-term kidney failure as a result. In severe cases, hemodialysis is needed to treat acute kidney failure. Hemodialysis is a procedure to filter the blood to cleanse the body of harmful waste, salt and additional water.

So immediately consult a specialist in internal medicine to get treatment, if necessary, hospitalization and fluid administration will be carried out when the condition is severe. In addition, blood transfusions can also be given according to the patient's needs. If the condition worsens, clinical shock and shortness of breath will arise so that medication needs to be given.

References:
Acute Kidney Failure Consensus of the Indonesian Nephrology Association 2023
Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions. Acute Kidney Failure. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20369048
National Kidney Foundation. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/acute-kidney-injury-aki