Acute kidney failure

Acute Kidney Failure

Acute kidney failure (also known as acute renal failure or ARF) is a rapid loss of kidney function.

Pronunciation

The term is pronounced as /əˈkjuːt ˈkɪdni ˈfeɪljər/.

Etymology

The term "acute" comes from the Latin word "acutus" meaning sharp or pointed, referring to the sudden onset of symptoms. "Kidney" is derived from the Old English word "cwið", meaning womb or belly, due to the organ's location in the body. "Failure" comes from the Old French word "faillir", meaning to lack or be deficient in.

Definition

Acute kidney failure occurs when your kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste products from your blood. This can cause dangerous levels of waste to accumulate, disrupting your body's chemical balance.

Symptoms

Symptoms of acute kidney failure may include:

• Decreased urine output, although occasionally urine output remains normal
• Fluid retention, causing swelling in your legs, ankles or feet
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Seizures or coma in severe cases
• Chest pain or pressure

Causes

Acute kidney failure can occur when:

• There's a sudden, severe drop in blood flow to the kidneys
• There's damage to the kidneys from certain diseases, conditions or agents
• The kidneys' drainage tubes (ureters) become blocked and wastes can't leave the body through urine

Related Terms

• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Renal Failure
• Kidney Disease
• Uremia
• Dialysis
• Nephrology

See Also

• Kidney
• Renal physiology
• Nephron
• Renal function

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Acute kidney failure
• Wikipedia's article - Acute kidney failure

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