Acute Renal Failure (ARF) is the sudden loss of kidney function. It occurs when the kidneys stop working over a period of hours, days, or in some cases, weeks. ARF develops from 5% to 7% of all patients in the hospital. 
Causes–
Pre-renal
- Hypovolemia
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Fever
- Poor intake of fluids
- Medication(diuretics )
- Abnormal blood flow to and from the kidney due to obstruction of the renal artery or vein.
Renal
- Sepsis
- Medications
- NSAID’s(ibuprofen,naproxen)
- Antibiotics (aminoglycosides)
- Iodine-containing medications
- Lithium
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Multiple myeloma
- Acute glomerulonephritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Wegener’s granulomatosis
- Goodpasture syndrome
Post renal
- Obstruction of the bladder or the ureters
- Prostrate –hypertrophy/cancer
- Tumors in the abdomen
- Kidney stones(if single kidney is present)
Symptoms And Signs–
- Anuria
- Bloody stools
- Breath odor
- Bruising easily
- Changes in mental status or mood
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased sensation (hands or feet)
- Fatigue
- Flank pain (between the ribs and hips)
- Frequent urination
- Hand tremor
- Hypertension
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Nausea or vomiting, may last for days
- Nosebleeds
- Oliguria
- Persistent hiccups
- Prolonged bleeding
- Seizures
- Slow, sluggish movements
- Swelling(generalized)
- Swelling of the ankle, feet, and leg swelling
Investigations—
- Blood tests—
- creatinine
- BUN (Blood urea nitrogen)
- CBC
- Urine C/E
- USG
Treatment—-
- Diet (high in carbohydrates and low in protein, salt and potassium)
- Ayurvedic Medicines
- Dialysis
Complications—-
- Recurrent Infection
- Uremic syndrome (uremia)
- Increased potassium in the blood