Acute kidney injuryAcute kidney injury (AKI), previously called acute renal failure, is a sudden decrease in kidney function that develops within seven days, as shown by an increase in serum creatinine or a decrease in urine output, or both. Causes of AKI are classified as either prerenal (due to decreased blood flow to the kidney), intrinsic renal (due to damage to the kidney itself), or postrenal (due to blockage of urine flow).
Chronic kidney diseaseAbnormal kidney structure or gradual loss of kidney functionMedical conditionChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a type of long-term kidney disease, defined by the sustained presence of abnormal kidney function and/or abnormal kidney structure. To meet the criteria for CKD, the abnormalities must be present for at least three months. Early in the course of CKD, patients are usually asymptomatic, but can be diagnosed via proteinuria.
HypertensionLong-term high blood pressure in the arteriesMedical conditionHypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a long-termmedical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms itself. It is, however, a major risk factor for stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, vision loss, chronic kidney disease, and dementia.
KidneyIn humans, the kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped blood-filtering organs that are a multilobar, multipapillary form of mammalian kidneys, usually without signs of external lobulation. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about 12 centimetres (4+1⁄2 inches) in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blood exits into the paired renal veins.
HyperkalemiaHyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium (K) in the blood. Normal potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0mmol/L (3.5 and 5.0mEq/L) with levels above 5.5mmol/L defined as hyperkalemia. Typically hyperkalemia does not cause symptoms. Occasionally when severe it can cause palpitations, muscle pain, muscle weakness, or numbness. Hyperkalemia can cause an abnormal heart rhythm which can result in cardiac arrest and death.
EdemaEdema (American English) or oedema (Commonwealth English), also known as dropsy, hydropsy, fluid retention, or simply swelling, is the buildup of fluid in a bodily tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. Besides observable swelling, symptoms may include skin that feels tight, the area feeling heavy, and joint stiffness. Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause.
AnemiaAnemia (also spelt anaemia in British English) is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen. This can be due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin available for oxygen transport, or abnormalities in hemoglobin that impair its function. When anemia comes on slowly, the symptoms are often vague, such as tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, headaches, and a reduced ability to exercise.
UremiaIn medicine, uremia is the presence in the blood of high levels of urea (one of the primary components of urine). It can be defined as an excess in the blood of such end products of amino acid and protein metabolism as urea and creatinine, which would normally be excreted in the urine. By comparison, uremic syndrome can be defined as the terminal clinical manifestation of kidney failure (also called renal failure).
VomitingVomiting (scientifically known as emesis, and otherwise known as puking, and throwing up) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose. The vomited contents are known as vomit or vomitus.
ConfusionIn psychology, confusion is the quality or emotional state of being bewildered or disoriented. The term acute mental confusion is often used interchangeably with delirium in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and the Medical Subject Headings publications to describe the pathology. These refer to the loss of orientation, or the ability to place oneself correctly in the world by time, location and personal identity.
Volume overloadVolume overload refers to the state of one of the chambers of the heart in which too large a volume of blood exists within it for it to function efficiently. Ventricular volume overload is approximately equivalent to an excessively high preload. It is a cause of cardiac failure.
Cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease (CVD) is any disease involving the heart or blood vessels. CVDs include coronary artery diseases (e.g. angina, heart attack), heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, carditis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, thromboembolic disease, and venous thrombosis. The underlying mechanisms vary depending on the disease.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.