How to Manage Acute Renal Failure
Prevention Methods and Home Treatment Options for ARF
May 15, 2009
Physicians may be capable of preventing renal (kidney) failure by identifying individuals who are at greater risk and avoiding medicines that can bring about acute kidney failure.
Prevention of Acute Renal Failure
Illnesses that increase a person's chance of developing renal failure are diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, obesity, and chronic kidney illness (long-term renal insufficiency). If you suffer from any of these conditions, take additional precautions when beginning to take new drugs. Commonly used drugs, like acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and ibuprofen, which is an NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, may make renal function worse in patients who already have diminished kidney function, diabetes, hypertension, or heart failure.
If you are at the hospital and have a greater risk for experiencing acute kidney failure due to surgery, another medical situation, or a severe injury, your physician will take precautions to help you keep away from acute renal failure:
- Fluid balances will be cautiously monitored.
- Your intake and output will be calculated, and you may be weighed each day.
- Your blood pressure will be watched occasionally. You may be given IV fluids to help keep normal blood pressure.
- You will have regular blood exams to make sure the electrolytes are in the appropriate balance.
- Your diet may be managed to make sure that you get at least 100 grams of carbohydrates every day. The amount of protein in the diet may be controlled.
- Your medications may be carefully monitored. Drugs that have magnesium may be completely stopped, and the dosages of your other drugs could be modified.
Home Therapy of Acute Renal Failure
If you have had ARF (acute renal failure) and your kidneys have not healed fully, you should follow a special diet that keeps the kidneys from being forced to work too much. A nutritionist will work with you lay out a diet that best accommodates your needs.
Looking at the severity of the kidney damage, other illnesses you may suffer from, and whether you are getting dialysis, you may need to restrain your consumption of minerals (electrolytes) and fluids. You may also have to control how much protein you eat.
Consuming an excessively amount of salt (sodium) may cause you to retain fluid, and it enhances your chances of heart failure, pulmonary edema, and hypertension. It may be difficult to keep away from sodium. To decrease the level of salt in the diet, learn to search for hidden sodium in foods, and pick out fewer processed foods and more organic foods at the grocery store.
Potassium is contained in salt substitutes, potassium pills, and a few fruits and vegetables. An excessive amount of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia) may cause muscle fatigue and irregular heart beats.
Watch the phosphorus intake. Phosphorus is contained in milk, cheese, meat, and fish. Large amounts of phosphorus in the bloodstream (hyperphosphatemia) may cause calcium to be drawn out from the bones, leading to bone issues.
Being on dialysis produces some extremely special needs. It is essential to consume the right amount of calories and nutrients to stay as fit as you can. A dietitian could assist you in creating the right meal plan.
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References:
Shaver MJ, Shah SV (2005). "Acute renal failure." In: DC Dale, and DD Federman. "ACP Medicine." 10; 6. New York.
Phu NH, et al. (2002). "Hemofiltration and peritoneal dialysis in infection-associated acute renal failure." New England Journal of Medicine. 347: (12); 895–902.
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