|  | Conditions Treatments | Kidney Disease

What Are the Causes of Acute Renal Failure?

Kidneys play a very important role in the general well-being of a person. They perform various vital functions, among which are elimination of toxic wastes and maintaining electrolytic balance. Acute renal failure (ARF), also referred to as acute kidney disorder, is a condition typified by the sudden loss of functioning of the kidneys. As a result, large amounts of toxic and harmful wastes accumulate inside the body, causing numerous serious health risks, such as electrolyte imbalances and blood acidification.

  1. Causes of Acute Renal Failure

    • The causes of acute renal failure are frequently differentiated into three chief categories: post renal, renal or intrinsic, and prerenal causes.
      Post renal causes are defined as those risk factors that obstruct the pathways through which the toxic nitrogenous wastes are removed from the body of an individual. Consequently large amounts of wastes accumulate, increasing the chances of developing renal failure. Renal or intrinsic causes damage the structural properties and composition of the kidneys thus directly resulting in acute renal disorder. Prerenal causes often disrupt and obstruct the normal blood flow reaching the kidneys thereby increasing the probability of developing the condition.

    Prerenal Causes

    • According to a Mayo Clinic study, common prerenal conditions resulting in acute renal failure include severe dehydration, shock, medical disorders such as blockages in the arteries of the heart, and irregular heart beat. Severe dehydration cause the patient to face constriction and narrowing of the arteries in the heart which can diminish the blood circulation to various organs. Restricted blood flow to the kidneys causes acute renal failure. Other common prerenal conditions resulting in acute renal failure include extremely low blood pressure and infections arising in the blood stream, such as sepsis.

    Intrinsic/Renal Factors

    • According to Mayo Clinic, some of the common renal causes leading to acute renal failure include excessive usage of certain medications such as NSAID's and aminoglycosides. These medications, if taken in excess, often damage the structure of the kidneys. As a result, there is a significant reduction in the amount of blood circulating through the kidneys, hence increasing the chances of developing ARF. Other common factors causing renal failure include elevated hemoglobin levels and inflammation of the kidneys.

    Post Renal Factors

    • Mayo Clinic reports that kidney disorders such as stones, prostate enlargement and bladder constriction are some of the most common post renal factors leading to acute renal failure.

    Other Causes

    • In accordance with research conducted by Mayo Clinic, liver disorders, diabetes, progressing age, and immune system diseases like scleroderma are often considered to be possible risk factors resulting in acute renal failure.

Kidney Disease - Related Articles