Swanand Kidney Clinic is a renowned healthcare facility specialising in diagnosing and treating kidney diseases, including acute kidney failure. Our team of experienced nephrologists and skilled healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing comprehensive care tailored to your individual needs.
Early Signs of Acute Kidney Injury :
- Decreased Urine Output: Producing less urine than usual or experiencing no urine output at all is a significant warning sign.
- Swelling: Fluid retention can lead to swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet due to the kidneys' inability to remove excess fluid.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Feeling sick or vomiting can indicate kidney distress.
- Fatigue: Unusual tiredness or weakness may occur as the body struggles to manage waste products.
- Confusion or Mood Changes: Altered mental status, including confusion or changes in mood, can be a sign of toxin buildup in the body.
- Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing may arise from fluid buildup in the lungs, a complication of AKI.
- High Blood Pressure: Elevated blood pressure can occur as the kidneys fail to regulate fluid and electrolyte balance properly.
- Flank Pain: Pain in the lower back, particularly on the sides, may indicate kidney issues.
- Loss of Appetite: A decreased desire to eat can also be a symptom of kidney dysfunction.
Symptoms :
Because the kidneys are needed to properly balance ratios of water, salt and other minerals (called electrolytes) in the blood, kidney failure symptoms are very dangerous and often even life-threatening. However, it’s not always obvious to patients that kidney damage is contributing to their health problems — since the underlying reasons that the kidneys fail can cause all sorts of symptoms.
For some patients with unhealthy kidneys, no obvious symptoms are felt at all. Only suddenly “failure” of the kidneys occurs and then causes an emergency.
Kidney failure symptoms normally include:
- Kidney pain, which feels like throbbing or tenderness below the rib cage or in the back/abdomen (sometimes called “flank pain”)
- Producing less urine than usual or sometimes not at all. A warning side of kidney disease, however, may be frequent urination, sometimes with blood or other colour changes.
- Fluid retention and swelling due to an imbalance of electrolytes, especially in the lower extremities, such as the legs, ankles or feet. The face and eyes may also appear puffy and swollen.
- Indigestion, nausea, loss of appetite and sometimes vomiting.
- High blood pressure
- Cognitive and mood changes, mostly due to shifting electrolyte levels and dehydration. These can include confusion, trouble sleeping, anxiety, fatigue, trouble concentrating, weakness and brain fog.
- Rhabdomyolysis is a rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle that causes muscle proteins and other muscle constituents to leak outside of cells and into the bloodstream.
While kidney failure is very serious, it doesn’t always mean that someone needs to be put on dialysis forever or they’re necessarily at risk of dying. Depending on the state of someone’s overall health — along with age and how many risk factors the person is up against — it’s possible to live a fulfilling life even with severely damaged/failed kidneys.
Sometimes severe kidney injuries can be resolved by treating the underlying problem causing the patient’s symptoms, but other times this unfortunately isn’t the case. Permanent kidney damage and chronic kidney disease cause a low percentage of patients to need ongoing dialysis treatments for the remainder of their lives, and with elderly patients, this often shortens their life expectancy. For patients who wind up in the intensive care unit due to emergency kidney failure, it’s estimated that the risk of mortality is between 50 per cent and 80 per cent.
Research has shown that several natural products can play a role in preventing and treating acute kidney injury. These products often possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation—two key factors in kidney damage.
- Herbal Remedies:
- Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can help reduce inflammation in the kidneys and improve overall kidney function.
- Garlic: Garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve kidney function. It may also help reduce the risk of kidney damage.
- Ginseng: This herb is known for enhancing kidney function and protecting against kidney injury.
- Pomegranate: Rich in antioxidants, pomegranate can help reduce oxidative stress and improve kidney health.
- Phytochemicals:
- Flavonoids and Polyphenols: Found in fruits like berries, apples, and grapes, these compounds have protective effects on the kidneys and can reduce inflammation.
- Turmeric: Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has potent anti-inflammatory properties and may help protect against kidney damage.
- Natural Supplements:
- Cranberry Extract: Known for its ability to prevent urinary tract infections, cranberry extract may also support kidney health by reducing urinary calcium levels.
- Magnesium: This mineral helps prevent the formation of kidney stones and supports overall kidney function.
- Vitamin E: An antioxidant that may help lower calcium-oxalate levels in the urine, reducing the risk of kidney stones.
While acute kidney failure treatment in Pune is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention, incorporating natural remedies and lifestyle changes can play a supportive role in kidney health and recovery. By working closely with healthcare professionals at Swanand Kidney Clinic, patients can explore a comprehensive treatment approach combining conventional therapies with natural supplements, dietary modifications, and lifestyle adjustments tailored to their needs.