What is the difference between acute and chronic kidney failure and their effective treatment methods, Kidney failure is a condition in which damage occurs to the tissues of both kidneys, leading to the cessation of kidney function. There are two types of kidney failure: sudden (acute) and chronic, and their symptoms and causes differ. We will learn about the difference between them in the rest of the article.
what is acute Kidney Failure
Acute kidney failure is a sudden and complete cessation of kidney function and tissue. The damage to the kidneys can be temporary or chronic over time.
what is chronic Kidney Failure
Chronic kidney failure is a slow, gradual deterioration of kidney function that occurs over months or years and often leads to permanent damage and the accumulation of waste and fluid in the body.
Symptoms of Acute and Chronic Kidney Failure
Common symptoms of kidney failure include:
- Edema in the lower extremities and around the eyes due to decreased urination.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Fluid retention.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- General weakness and fatigue.
- Nausea. Causes of Acute Renal Failure
Acute kidney failure may occur as a result of the following:
- Severe blood loss.
- Fluid loss.
- Dehydration.
- Severe burns.
- Urinary obstruction.
- Preeclampsia.
- Toxic poisoning, including medication.
Causes of Chronic Kidney Failure
Causes of chronic kidney failure include:
- Certain diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and various kidney diseases.
- Autoimmune diseases such as familial Mediterranean fever and lupus erythematosus.
- The use of certain medications that have a toxic effect on the kidneys.
- Kidney stones that lead to serious infections.
- A kidney tumor.
- Atherosclerosis, which occurs in adults.
What is the difference between chronic and acute kidney failure
Acute (sudden) kidney failure occurs when kidney function suddenly stops and is often temporary and treatable. Chronic kidney failure, on the other hand, is a gradual deterioration of kidney function and is often irreversible, leading to a dangerous buildup of waste and fluid in the body.
Complications of Acute Kidney Failure
Complications of acute kidney failure include:
- Fluid accumulation and pulmonary edema Fluid retention leads to swelling of the extremities and legs and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
- The kidneys may not be able to produce enough erythropoietin, resulting in reduced red blood cell production.
- Acute kidney failure increases the risk of heart disease, such as heart failure and enlargement, which causes chest pain and shortness of breath.
- High blood pressure due to sodium and fluid retention.
- High blood potassium levels.
Complications of chronic kidney failure
Complications of chronic kidney failure include:
- Heart disease, such as heart failure and heart attacks, due to increased workload on the heart.
- Irregular cholesterol levels as the disease progresses.
- High blood pressure due to sodium and fluid retention.
- Anemia due to decreased production of erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
- Fluid accumulation in the extremities and lungs due to the kidneys' inability to expel fluid.
- Decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures.
What is the treatment for kidney failure
The treating physician prescribes certain medications to control symptoms and complications, and may resort to advanced treatments:
- Prescribing blood pressure medications to maintain kidney function, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.
- Erythropoietin injections to raise hemoglobin levels and treat anemia.
- Vitamin D and calcium supplements to strengthen bones.
- Cholesterol-lowering medications.
- Diuretics to treat fluid retention.
- Dialysis is used to purify the blood of waste and excess fluid.
- Kidney transplants involve replacing the damaged kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor.
Ways to Prevent Kidney Failure
Kidney failure depends on the stage of the disease and lifestyle improvements through:
- Controlling blood pressure and diabetes by adhering to a low-salt diet and taking medications to control high blood pressure and sugar.
- Eating a healthy diet and reducing protein and sodium intake.
- Quitting smoking to support kidney function.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
What is the best treatment for kidney failure
There is no single cure for kidney failure, but available solutions include a kidney transplant, which is the best option, and dialysis, which is a continuous treatment that replaces kidney function.
Lifestyle changes and controlling underlying conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can delay the progression of the disease.
Summary of the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Kidney Failure
The main difference is that acute kidney failure is a sudden cessation of kidney function and is treatable with rapid intervention and can occur within hours.
While chronic kidney failure is a gradual and slow deterioration of kidney function that occurs over months or years and is often untreatable, it causes damage and a dangerous buildup of waste in the body.