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acute renal failure
Acute Renal Failure Symptoms |
Acute Renal Failure SymptomsRenal failure occurs when the kidneys fail to perform their function to filter out bodily wastes.
Because of this, the body accumulates toxins because of fluid retention. Without seeking proper treatment, the condition of ARF patients is both fatal and critical.
Generally humans can survive normally with a single kidney.
However, the capacity of a single kidney to function greatly diminishes with the occurrence of ARF. Knowing the signs and symptoms of Renal Failure and proper and prompt treatment, ARF can be reversible.
Symptoms in ARF patients depend on the level of infection or obstruction that occurs in their bladders, urethras, as well as in their kidneys.
These symptoms are carefully studied in order to determine what course of action can be taken or when, in very severe cases, renal replacement or kidney transplant can be recommended. Sudden incapacitation of the kidneys is usually accompanied by the rapid and progressive manifestation of symptoms. In extreme cases, renal failure can also result in the deterioration of organ functions.
A major symptom of ARF is the accumulation of large amounts of protein in the urine output and low levels in the blood, a condition called nephrotic syndrome. This condition results from the damage to the glomerulus or the tiny blood vessels that screen excess water and waste from the blood and excretes them in the form of urine.
As large amounts of protein are excreted in the urine, the amount of protein in the blood where it is needed in order to nourish the body, start to diminish. This lack of protein in the blood makes the fluid to leak out of bloodstream and into the tissue resulting in edema or swelling the extremities.
This condition can also cause the foaming of urine caused by the high level of protein.
ARF patients may start to display confusion, fatigue, fluid retention, intestinal bleeding or tissue swelling. ARF can also result in a dramatic decrease of urine production or oliguria.
In very severe cases, ARF patients can experience coma or seizures. When kidney functions are greatly reduced, symptoms such as sudden weight loss, nausea, and vomiting and headaches with no apparent cause can occur.
Once the kidneys are able to perform less than 10% of its functions, they cannot process wastes effectively to sustain life. This condition is called end stage renal disease. In such extreme cases, dialysis or a kidney transplant is required.
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