The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs you simply can’t live without. Although you can live with just one, they are critical for removing waste products from the blood and balancing fluid within the body.
Acute kidney injury happens when the kidneys suddenly stop working over the period of hours to days. Although it’s sometimes reversible, it can be deadly without prompt emergency care.
At Metro Renal Associates, our team of three board-certified nephrologists offers expert kidney care for conditions such as acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, and blood in the urine.
Whether you require dialysis, a kidney transplant, or help managing high blood pressure, our compassionate team has the tools to help.
Acute kidney injury, or AKI, happens when the kidneys suddenly stop working. It can happen over a few hours or take a few days, but the result is detrimental to your health.
AKI used to be synonymous with acute renal failure – with one major difference. We can often reverse AKI with prompt treatment, whereas acute renal failure was often irreversible.
The major issue with AKI is that the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste from the blood, leading to electrolyte and fluid imbalances and health issues caused by excess waste products.
Various issues lead to AKI, including kidney stones that block urine flow, direct kidney damage, and dehydration or severe blood loss.
AKI typically leads to symptoms very quickly, though the symptoms depend on the cause and severity of the kidney problem. One significant symptom of AKI is a significant reduction in urine output, or the inability to urinate. Other symptoms include:
In severe AKI cases, people may experience chest pain or seizures. Without fast and proper treatment, AKI can lead to a coma and even death.
If you’re living with any type of kidney disease or suffer an injury to the flank area, it’s essential to know when to seek emergency help. The key signs you need immediate treatment for AKI include:
Getting emergency care as soon as possible is the best way to ensure the symptoms reverse. Without proper care, waste products continue to build up, blood pressure rises, and electrolyte imbalances worsen, leading to permanent damage.
Emergency care for AKI includes properly diagnosing the problem by measuring urine output and a serum creatinine. We also look for electrolyte imbalances and fluid imbalances.
An ultrasound is another way we diagnose what’s happening with the kidneys. If nothing else gives us an answer, we may perform a kidney biopsy or other testing.
Treating AKI involves treating the underlying cause of the kidney injury. That’s the best way to reverse symptoms. We also address fluid and electrolyte imbalances and perform dialysis if there’s severe kidney impairment.
To find out more about care for AKI, call our Washington, D.C., or Capitol Heights offices, or visit our website to request an appointment online.
