What can cause damage to your kidneys?

Diseases and conditions that may slow blood flow to the kidneys and lead to kidney injury include: Blood or fluid loss. Blood pressure medications. Heart attack. Heart disease. Infection. Liver failure. Use of aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) or related drugs. More items... •

mayoclinic.org - Acute kidney failure - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Are colonics a good idea?

Non-prescription colon cleanses may make big promises, but the truth is that they're more likely to cause harm than good. Some of the risks...

Last updated Feb 23, 2021

Can I take vitamin C and D together?

They have complementary effects, which means that taking them together can better support your health. They're particularly beneficial to the...

Last updated Apr 29, 2021

Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Overview

Kidney cross section Open pop-up dialog box Close Kidney cross section Kidney cross section The kidneys remove waste and excess fluid from your blood through filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron contains a filter (glomerulus) that has a network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. When blood flows into a glomerulus, tiny molecules — water, essential minerals and nutrients, and wastes — pass through the capillary walls. Large molecules, such as proteins and red blood cells, do not. The filtered solution then passes into another part of the nephron called the tubule. The water, nutrients and minerals your body needs are transferred back to the bloodstream. The excess water and waste become urine that flows to the bladder. Acute kidney failure occurs when your kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste products from your blood. When your kidneys lose their filtering ability, dangerous levels of wastes may accumulate, and your blood's chemical makeup may get out of balance. Acute kidney failure — also called acute renal failure or acute kidney injury — develops rapidly, usually in less than a few days. Acute kidney failure is most common in people who are already hospitalized, particularly in critically ill people who need intensive care. Acute kidney failure can be fatal and requires intensive treatment. However, acute kidney failure may be reversible. If you're otherwise in good health, you may recover normal or nearly normal kidney function.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of acute kidney failure may include:

Decreased urine output, although occasionally urine output remains normal

Fluid retention, causing swelling in your legs, ankles or feet

Shortness of breath

Fatigue

Confusion

Nausea

Weakness

Irregular heartbeat

Chest pain or pressure

Seizures or coma in severe cases

Sometimes acute kidney failure causes no signs or symptoms and is detected through lab tests done for another reason.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor immediately or seek emergency care if you have signs or symptoms of acute kidney failure. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

Causes

How much B12 should I take for adrenal fatigue?

Because vitamin B12 is a stimulatory compound by nature, it is widely used to increase energy. Improper dosage can lead to a sense of being “wired”...

Last updated Sep 6, 2019

What drink increases potassium?

Drinking fruit and vegetable juices is another easy way to increase your potassium intake. Citrus juices seem to provide the most potassium ( 3 )....

Last updated Mar 6, 2021

Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Acute kidney failure can occur when:

You have a condition that slows blood flow to your kidneys

You experience direct damage to your kidneys

Your kidneys' urine drainage tubes (ureters) become blocked and wastes can't leave your body through your urine

Impaired blood flow to the kidneys

Diseases and conditions that may slow blood flow to the kidneys and lead to kidney injury include:

Blood or fluid loss

Blood pressure medications

Heart attack

Heart disease

Infection

Liver failure

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Severe burns

Severe dehydration

Damage to the kidneys

These diseases, conditions and agents may damage the kidneys and lead to acute kidney failure:

Blood clots in the veins and arteries in and around the kidneys

Cholesterol deposits that block blood flow in the kidneys

Glomerulonephritis (gloe-mer-u-loe-nuh-FRY-tis), inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli)

Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that results from premature destruction of red blood cells

Infection, such as with the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Lupus, an immune system disorder causing glomerulonephritis

Medications, such as certain chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics and dyes used during imaging tests

Scleroderma, a group of rare diseases affecting the skin and connective tissues

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare blood disorder

Toxins, such as alcohol, heavy metals and cocaine

Muscle tissue breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) that leads to kidney damage caused by toxins from muscle tissue destruction Breakdown of tumor cells (tumor lysis syndrome), which leads to the release of toxins that can cause kidney injury

Urine blockage in the kidneys

Diseases and conditions that block the passage of urine out of the body (urinary obstructions) and can lead to acute kidney injury include:

Bladder cancer

Blood clots in the urinary tract

Cervical cancer

Colon cancer

Enlarged prostate

Kidney stones

Nerve damage involving the nerves that control the bladder

Prostate cancer

Risk factors

Acute kidney failure almost always occurs in connection with another medical condition or event. Conditions that can increase your risk of acute kidney failure include:

Being hospitalized, especially for a serious condition that requires intensive care

Blockages in the blood vessels in your arms or legs (peripheral artery disease)

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Heart failure

Kidney diseases

Liver diseases

Certain cancers and their treatments

Complications

Potential complications of acute kidney failure include:

Fluid buildup. Acute kidney failure may lead to a buildup of fluid in your lungs, which can cause shortness of breath. Acute kidney failure may lead to a buildup of fluid in your lungs, which can cause shortness of breath. Chest pain. If the lining that covers your heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed, you may experience chest pain.

What vegetable juice is good for high blood pressure?

Spinach juice Spinach juice is a delicious way to reap most of spinach's health properties. The leafy veggie is an excellent source of potassium....

Last updated Feb 8, 2021

Which form of vitamin C is best absorbed?

Liposomal Vitamin C Form: Liposomal Vitamin C This form is the best absorbed and is great for those with digestive problems because it can be...

Last updated Jun 1, 2019

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

If the lining that covers your heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed, you may experience chest pain. Muscle weakness. When your body's fluids and electrolytes — your body's blood chemistry — are out of balance, muscle weakness can result. When your body's fluids and electrolytes — your body's blood chemistry — are out of balance, muscle weakness can result. Permanent kidney damage. Occasionally, acute kidney failure causes permanent loss of kidney function, or end-stage renal disease. People with end-stage renal disease require either permanent dialysis — a mechanical filtration process used to remove toxins and wastes from the body — or a kidney transplant to survive. Occasionally, acute kidney failure causes permanent loss of kidney function, or end-stage renal disease. People with end-stage renal disease require either permanent dialysis — a mechanical filtration process used to remove toxins and wastes from the body — or a kidney transplant to survive. Death. Acute kidney failure can lead to loss of kidney function and, ultimately, death.

Prevention

Acute kidney failure is often difficult to predict or prevent. But you may reduce your risk by taking care of your kidneys. Try to:

mayoclinic.org - Acute kidney failure - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Can I eat pineapple while detoxing?

Pineapples contain flavonoids, carotenes and polyphenols, which help to neutralize and remove toxins from the bloodstream and liver. Your liver...

Last updated Jul 24, 2021

What causes a fatty liver?

Causes of fatty liver disease. Eating excess calories causes fat to build up in the liver. When the liver does not process and break down fats as...

Last updated Feb 19, 2022

Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

Promotion

How fast can I realistically lose 10 pounds?

We recommend losing no more than 1 to 2 pounds per week for sustainable weight loss, which means you could potentially lose 10 pounds in five...

Last updated Aug 14, 2018

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

Promotion

What is the best juice to drink at night?

Cherries are a great source of tryptophan and melatonin. Drinking 2 cups (480 ml) of cherry juice per day may increase your melatonin levels and...

Last updated Mar 11, 2021