Acute Kidneys Diseases
Introduction
Acute kidneys diseases occurs when the kidney suddenly losses its ability to perform essential functions such as eliminating electrolytes and waste materials from the blood. This loss of the kidneys ability causes accumulation of waste materials, electrolytes and other harmful fluids in the body system. Acute kidneys diseases develop very rapidly in a few days or hours. Acute kidneys diseases are fatal but reversible.
Causes of Acute Kidneys Diseases
Acute kidneys diseases occur as a result of various complications or conditions. Some of these conditions that lead to acute kidneys diseases are;
- Blockage or obstruction of the urinary tract.
- Reduced amount of blood flow to the kidneys as result of blood loss or shock.
- Ingestion of medications that causes toxicity to the kidney.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome that is caused by E. coli infection that tends to obstruct the functioning of small vessels and structures in the kidney.
- Glomerulonephritis which is a type of kidneys diseases that causes inflammation of the glomeruli thus impairing the kidney's ability to filter urine.
- Cardiac arrest that tempers with flow of oxygen and blood into the kidneys.
- Complications like placenta previa and placenta abruptio during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Acute Kidneys Diseases
Bad taste or breath in the mouth that may be caused by urea traces in the saliva.
- Anemia that occurs due to the shrinking of the kidney that makes it unable too produce enough red blood cells.
- Bone and joint problems: since the kidneys are responsible for the production of vitamin D that assist the body in the absorption of calcium that keeps the bones strong, Kidneys diseases hinder the production of vitamin D hence weak bones and joint pain.
- Frequent urination.
- Edema which is the swelling of feet, hands, arms and around the eyes.
- Bloody and foamy urine: bloody urine signifies obstruction of the kidneys while foamy urine signifies presence of proteins in the urine.
- High blood pressure: the retention of wastes and fluids in the body due to kidneys diseases causes an increase in blood volumes hence raise of blood pressure.
- Lower back pain: some of the kidneys diseases may cause pain at the kidneys location which is below the ribs and somewhere at the back.
- Fatigue: the presence of toxic materials in the blood combined with anemia makes a person feel exhausted.
- Cola colored urine that is followed by a decrease in urine secretion to no urine secretion at all.
- Itching due to increased levels of phosphorous that is usually removed in the urine.
- Headaches and nausea.
Treatment of Acute Kidneys Diseases
The treatment of kidneys diseases is determined by a qualified doctor based on;
- the age of the affected person
- the cause of the disease
- the type and extent of the kidneys diseases
- the patients tolerance to certain medications and therapies
- expectations of the type of kidneys diseases in question
The treatment will involve;
- hospitalization
- replacement of reduced blood volumes through administration of large volumes of intravenous fluids
- serious monitoring if essential electrolytes
- diet change
- increase of urine output through diuretic therapy and medications
- control of blood pressure
