Acute renal failure (ARF), also known as acute kidney failure, is a medical condition that is characterized by a sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to perform their most significant functions: eliminating the various nitrogenous wastes present in the body, and also helping maintain the electrolyte balance inside the body. Due to the loss of functioning of the kidneys, various waste and toxic products accumulate, leading to many health risks such as the acidification of the blood, imbalances in the electrolyte levels and more.
Causes or Risk Factors Leading to ARF
The risk factors of acute renal failure are generally classified into three major categories:, prerenal risk factors, intrinsic or renal risk factors and post-renal risk factors.
Prerenal risk factors are those risk factors that cause obstruction to the flow of blood reaching the kidneys. Intrinsic or renal risk factors are those factors that directly cause damage to the structure of the kidneys, leading to acute renal failure.
Post-renal risk factors are those conditions that cause obstruction in the pathway through which various nitrogenous wastes as well as urine are eliminated from the body. If this condition is left untreated and unnoticed for a long period of time, it can ultimately lead to ARF.
Prerenal Risk Factors Causing ARF
Prerenal factors that often lead to acute renal failure in individuals include acute dehydration and shock, severe blockages in the arteries in the heart and infections like sepsis. Dehydration and shock generally lead to the constriction of the arteries carrying blood throughout the body, reducing the volume of blood reaching various organs including the kidneys and ultimately leading to ARF. Infections and blockages in the heart lead to a reduction in the pumping effect of the heart, reducing the amount of blood reaching the kidneys and other organs.
Intrinsic or Renal Risk Factors
One of the most common intrinsic or renal factors leading to the development of ARF in individuals includes excessive usage of certain drugs like NSAIDs and aminoglycosides. These chemicals, when taken in excess, damage the structure of the kidneys, thereby reducing the blood flow through it and increasing the probability of developing ARF. Another common intrinsic factor leading to acute renal failure is the increased levels of hemoglobin in an individual's body, as elevated hemoglobin causes damage to the tubules present in the kidney, ultimately leading to ARF.
Post-renal Risk Factors
Some of the most common post-renal risk factors leading to the development of acute renal failure include kidney stones and the excessive use of certain drugs like anticholinergics. These factors obstruct the emptying of the bladder, thus causing acute renal failure.
Other Common Risk Factors
Numerous other risk factors like acute dehydration, lung disorders, blood loss and other renal disorders are considered to be prime factors or conditions that often lead to ARF.
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