Acute Kidney Injury

• Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden loss of kidney function that occurs over hours to days.
• After acute kidney injury, kidney function usually improves, but in some cases patients may not fully recover. These patients may go on to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• Acute kidney injury can occur from a lower blood flow to the kidneys, direct damage to the kidneys, or blockage of urine coming out of the kidneys.

Common Causes

• Serious infections (known as sepsis)
• Blockage of urine (kidney stones)
• Pain Killers such as NSAIDS or herbal supplements
• Dehydration such as from vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding

• People with diabetes
• People with chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• People undergoing cardiac bypass surgery
• People with heart failure
• People with liver disease
• The elderly

• Rise in blood levels of the protein creatinine.
• The amount of urine made also is used to detect problems with kidney function. Little or no urine suggests damage to the kidney.

• Damage to the kidneys results in the buildup of waste products and fluid in the body because the kidneys cannot effectively remove them.

• The treatments for AKI depend on how severe it is and the reason that caused the injury.
• The most common treatment is to try to remove or limit what is causing injury to the kidneys.
• If AKI is severe, dialysis may be needed short term to remove waste and fluid from the body. Sometimes, dialysis may be needed long term.
• However, some people may develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) problems later in life. Continue to talk to our team about your current kidney health.