Renal failure means worsening or even loss of kidney function. A distinction is made between different courses of action: acute and chronic renal failure.
The most common triggers of acute renal failure are reduced blood flow to the kidneys or direct damage to the kidneys. Rarely are urinary drainage disorders the cause of kidney failure.
In the early phase, the urine production initially decreases, those affected initially divorced only about half a liter a day, later even less. But acute renal failure is not always noticeable due to decreased urinary output. The urine may contain more proteins and blood. In the further course of the urine excretion comes to a complete halt. The result is an over-hydration of the body, which is noticeable by water retention in the tissue (especially leg edema) and in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and sometimes in the brain (brain edema) and can lead to heart failure.
If a fluid deficiency causes acute kidney failure, it must be compensated. Too low a blood pressure is raised by appropriate measures.
If a drug has led to acute renal failure (ANV), the drug - after consultation with the doctor! - be discontinued immediately. For example, certain antibiotics, analgesics, and X-ray contrast agents may trigger an ANV.
If there is a urinary drainage obstruction (for example, stones, enlarged prostate), this should be eliminated.
In the rare case of an immunologically-related severe inflammation of the glomeruli ("rapid progressive glomerulonephritis") with rapid loss of kidney function, the doctor treats with special medications (immunosuppressants). They stop the destruction of the kidney corpuscles.
If the triggers of the acute renal failure are corrected as much as possible, the doctors may try to stimulate the kidney function again: You can give medications that "boost" the excretory function again. First and foremost are the so-called loop diuretics. High doses must be avoided. Failure to get the kidney function working again will be bridged with a renal replacement procedure until kidney function recovers.
