Acute Renal Failure Symptoms And Solutions

Seizures Or Coma

Acute renal failure patients may present with seizure or coma. These life-threatening conditions occur due to the fact the kidneys are not able to function. When the function of the kidneys is reduced significantly, certain substances start to build up in the affected individual's blood. Urine is made up of wastes, creatinine, urea, and other compounds. The patient's brain cells also begin to accumulate calcium from renal failure. A seizure occurs when there is a sudden rush of abnormal electrical activity in an individual's brain. When the brain gets toxic from urea and calcium, the patient can have multiple seizures in a row. These toxins also make their get into the bloodstream and cause damage to numerous organs throughout the body. These substances get to the brain because they can diffuse through the blood-brain barrier. The buildup of toxins in the brain and injury from seizures can cause the affected individual to become unconscious for a prolonged period or go into a coma. This occurs because the toxin accumulation stops nerves from being able to communicate with each other. If left untreated, a coma from acute renal failure can be irreversible.

Confusion

Confusion can be an early indicator an individual is being affected by acute renal failure. This malfunction can occur when the kidneys fail to filter out byproducts from normal bodily processes that become toxic in large amounts. This toxicity can cause the patient's heart to work extremely hard in response to their reduced kidney function. When the heart is working too hard, an adequate amount of oxygen may not be able to reach all vital tissues. Brain cells become deprived of oxygen because they are being overwhelmed by toxins, and the heart cannot get enough oxygenated blood to the cells. On the other hand, acute renal failure may also cause low blood pressure, inhibiting enough oxygen from reaching the brain. The brain cells are unable to perform their functions when deprived of oxygen. Nerves in the brain become unable to communicate appropriately as the toxins begin to build up and impair their transmissions. Signals get misfired, and some nerve signals do not get sent or received at all. This malfunction can cause the patient to experience confusion and memory loss. Delirium is a form of confusion that may also manifest in affected individuals.