Acute kidney injury (AKI), previously known as acute renal failure, is a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. AKI causes a buildup of waste products in the blood and prevents the kidneys from keeping chemicals in the body balanced. This can lead to various complications if it is not treated promptly. AKI is usually reversible if the underlying cause is treated in time but prolonged or severe AKI can lead to permanent kidney damage and even death.
Causes of Acute Kidney Injury
There are various possible causes for AKI to develop:
Dehydration: Dehydration due to loss of water and electrolytes through vomiting, diarrhea or reduced fluid intake can result in pre-renal or functional Acute Kidney Injury . The reduced blood flow to the kidneys hampers their normal functioning.
Toxic medications: Certain medications like antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, chemotherapy drugs are known to cause AKI due to direct toxicity to the kidney tubules. The mechanisms include obstruction of renal blood flow, direct tubular toxicity, and tubular obstruction by casts.
Trauma or surgery: Major trauma or surgery involving the kidneys, skeletal muscles or other tissues can lead to Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) due to ischemia and necrosis of tubular cells caused by reduced blood flow or nephrotoxic drugs or dyes.
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