Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Quiz
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Not urinating much
Passing much less urine than normal
Loss of appetite
Fatigued
Swelling
Passing slightly less urine than usual
Swollen feet
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
Acute kidney (renal) failure happens when the kidneys suddenly can't filter waste products from the blood. This can cause dangerous waste levels to build up and the blood's chemical balance to be disrupted. Acute kidney failure can be life-threatening and it usually develops over a few hours or days.
Typical Symptoms of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
- Having difficulty urinating or producing less urine
- Recently started a new medication, from 3 days to 1 month ago
- History of chemotherapy in the last one year
- Passing much less urine than normal
- Unintentional weight gain of more than 4.4lbs/2kg in a month
- Seizure
- History of sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage
- Swelling in any body part
Diagnostic Questions for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you been experiencing difficulty urinating or producing less urine?
- Have you started a new medication recently?
- Did you have cancer treatment in the past year?
- Are you urinating less than usual?
- Have you gained more than 4.4lbs/2kg in one month without trying?
Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Treatment for acute kidney failure involves identifying and treating the illness or injury that initially damaged the kidneys. It's also important to manage complications and give the kidneys time to heal.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Jan 14, 2025
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Decreased urine output
- Not peeing enough
- Drinking lots of water but not urinating much
- No urine output in 12 hours
- Unexplained weight gain
- Urinating less than normal
- Very difficult to urinate
- Reduction in urine volume
- Unable to empty bladder completely
- Experienced sudden weight gain without a clear reason
- Unintentional weight gain of more than 4.4lbs/2kg
- Significant weight gain over the last month
- I gained more than 5% of my weight in one month
See full list
Symptoms Related to Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Diseases Related to Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
FAQs
Q.
Is it Renal Failure? Why Your Kidneys Fail and Your Medical Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider: renal failure means the kidneys are underperforming and can be acute, often reversible if treated quickly, or chronic from long-term issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, with warning signs such as swelling, decreased or foamy urine, fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath that warrant prompt testing of creatinine, eGFR, and urine. Your next steps are to see a clinician soon for labs and a review of medicines, seek urgent care for red flags like chest pain, severe breathlessness, confusion, or very little urine, and follow cause-specific treatment that may include fluids, stopping harmful drugs, relieving blockages, blood pressure and sugar control, diet changes, and if advanced, dialysis or transplant; see below for complete details that can shape the right plan for you.
References:
* Kelly M, Rosner MH. Chronic Kidney Disease: A Synopsis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2023 Apr;34(4):541-557. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2022030310. Epub 2022 Nov 22. PMID: 36414704.
* Bikbov B, Purcell CA, Levey AS, Smith M, Abd El Aziz M, Adeseun OA, Adebayo OM, Adingupu DD, Akere A, Al-Rifai RH, Alahdab F, Alhabib KF, Alhalabi F, Alipour V, Alvis-Guzman N, Ancuceanu R, Anjum Latif A, Arabi M, Aryal KK, Asgedom SW, Asojo OA, Assefa B, Athari SM, Aujayeb A, Ayala C, Ayano G, Ayodele OE, Azam S, Azari S, Azzopardi PS, Barac A, Barnes TR, Barnighausen TW, Bayati M, Bazie F, Bedi N, Behzadifar M, Bennett DA, Bhaumik S, Bhattacharyya K, Bikoghli F, Bilano V, Biondi A, Bijani A, Boosani CS, Brady OJ, Bragazzi NL, Brazinova A, Breusov O, Car J, Carrero JJ, Carter A, Chandan JS, Chang JC, Cho DY, Choi J, Christopher DJ, Chu DT, Collison ML, Corben N, Cuevas-Suárez CE, D'Souza M, Dahiya M, Dahlawi SMA, Dai X, Dandona L, Dandona R, Das J, Dasa TT, Dávila-Cervantes CA, De Neve JW, Demoz GT, Denova-Martínez E, Dharmaratne SD, Djalalinia S, Do HT, Doku DT, Draz M, Düzel B, Ebrahimi H, Edmonds A, El-Mokhtar MA, Elhadi M, Elmonem MA, Emamian MH, Eskandarieh S, Etemadi A, Ezzikouri S, Faraon EJA, Faris P, Fatahi Y, Feigin VL, Fekadu GA, Fernández-Peña S, Filip I, Fisher JL, Foigt NA, Foroutan M, Gad MM, Gaidhane AM, Gallus S, Gao W, Garcia-Gordillo MA, Georgiou A, Getacher L, Ghaffarifar F, Ghashghaee A, Golechha M, Goli S, Gona PN, Gopalani SV, Gupta L, Haile MT, Haile TG, Hamidi S, Hankey GJ, Hao Y, Haque S, Hay SI, Heidari B, Heilesen VA, Hiluf MK, Hoang HT, Horita MH, Horita N, Hussain S, Ilic IM, Ilic MD, Irvani SN, Islam SMS, Jabbari H, Jacobs H, Jain R, Janodia MD, Jauregui A, Jha RP, Jochumsen KM, Johnson SC, Jonas JB, Jozwiak JJ, Jungari SB, Kagaruki GB, Kahsay AB, Kalani R, Kallestrup P, Kanchan T, Karch A, Kareem MA, Karimi S, Kasa AS, Kassa BG, Kassebaum NJ, Katikireddi SV, Kazemeini H, Kebede KM, Kebede S, Keita MM, Keykhaei M,
Q.
Worried? Why Your Kidneys Are Struggling & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Kidney problems can come from sudden injury or slow chronic disease tied to dehydration, infections, medications, diabetes, or high blood pressure, and warning signs include swelling, foamy or bloody urine, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, or very low urine that may need urgent care. Next steps typically include testing creatinine, eGFR, and urine albumin, tightening blood pressure and blood sugar control, avoiding NSAIDs unless approved, staying appropriately hydrated, and seeing a nephrologist if eGFR is under 60, there is significant protein in urine, kidney function is falling quickly, or electrolytes are abnormal; there are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your plan are explained below.
References:
* Webster AC, et al. Chronic kidney disease. Lancet. 2023 Oct 14;402(10410):1360-1372. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01332-9. Epub 2023 Sep 8. PMID: 37703597.
* Kim HJ, et al. Mechanisms of CKD Progression: A Role for Cell Senescence. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 16;23(16):9141. doi: 10.3390/ijms23169141. PMID: 36015509; PMCID: PMC9408642.
* Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int. 2024 Jan;105(1S):S1-S217. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.002. Epub 2023 Oct 23. PMID: 37622839.
* Turestky L, et al. Early Detection and Prevention of Progression in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Narrative Review. Adv Ther. 2022 Sep;39(9):4173-4188. doi: 10.1007/s12325-022-02237-7. Epub 2022 Aug 2. PMID: 35920367; PMCID: PMC9344400.
* Haneda M, et al. Recent Advances in the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 11;24(18):14050. doi: 10.3390/ijms241814050. PMID: 37703600; PMCID: PMC10531502.
Q.
Is It Kidney Pain? Why Your Kidneys Struggle & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Kidney pain is usually a deep ache in the flank under the ribs that can radiate to the abdomen or groin, and red flags like fever, blood in the urine, severe or one-sided pain, vomiting, or little urine require prompt medical care. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand how kidney infections, stones, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease present differently. Medically approved next steps include not self diagnosing, getting blood, urine, and imaging tests, reviewing medications that can stress the kidneys, keeping sensible hydration, and tightly managing diabetes and blood pressure, especially if you have risk factors like older age, NSAID use, or heart disease. Complete details and decision points that can affect your next steps are outlined below.
References:
* Eisenstein RA, Geller SP. Acute Flank Pain: A Systematic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2014 Aug;32(3):575-88. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2014.04.004. PMID: 25060233.
* Kerns JL, Holden RM, Rosner MH. Chronic Kidney Disease: An Overview. Am Fam Physician. 2020 Feb 15;101(4):216-224. PMID: 32053123.
* Limdi VK, Bell C, Krouss M, Bakhit T, Singh A. Acute Kidney Injury: A Narrative Review. Mayo Clin Proc. 2023 Nov;98(11):1733-1748. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.06.015. PMID: 37923485.
* Levin A, Tonelli M, Bonventre JV, Coresh J, Davids MR, Dong J, Gansevoort RT, Gill JS, Jardine MJ, Kane-Gill SL, Kirwan JP, Komenda P, Layman DL, Luo N, Ma S, Manns B, Montez-Rath ME, Murty S, Naganathan S, Ong AC, Poggio ED, Saxena AB, Schmid H, Sharma K, Smith SC Jr, Srivastava A, Waikar SS, Wheeler DC, Zoccali C, Eknoyan G. Chronic kidney disease: global perspectives and future directions. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2023 Mar;19(3):171-185. doi: 10.1038/s41581-022-00669-7. PMID: 36627497.
* Horn JM, Kim ED, Lee KS. Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Urol Clin North Am. 2019 Aug;46(3):281-291. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2019.04.004. PMID: 31279262.
Q.
High Creatinine Levels? Why Your Kidneys are Straining & Medical Next Steps
A.
High creatinine often signals your kidneys are under strain from reduced function like chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury, but it can also rise from temporary issues such as dehydration, certain medications, or increased muscle-related production. There are several factors to consider; see the complete guidance below to understand what applies to you. Next steps typically include repeating the test, checking eGFR and urine, reviewing medications and hydration, treating the cause, and seeking urgent care for red flags like very low urine, severe swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath. For important details that can change your next steps, see below.
References:
* Kidney Int. 2024 Mar;105(3):421-502. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.016. Epub 2023 Dec 15. PMID: 38221679.
* Lancet. 2022 Jan 8;399(10320):183-196. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00452-3. Epub 2022 Jan 8. PMID: 35028043.
* Mayo Clin Proc. 2018 Nov;93(11):1646-1658. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.017. Epub 2018 Sep 26. PMID: 30455850.
* N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):1038-1050. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2024253. PMID: 33737380.
* J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019 Nov;30(11):2267-2283. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2019050478. Epub 2019 Dec 5. PMID: 31802928.
Q.
Kidney Pain? Why Your Kidneys Are Failing & Medically Approved Important Next Steps
A.
Kidney pain can signal a reversible acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease; doctors confirm with creatinine, eGFR, urinalysis, and imaging, especially when symptoms like fever, vomiting, urinary changes, swelling, or very low urine are present. Important next steps include seeking prompt care, getting blood and urine tests, reviewing medications, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, staying hydrated, adopting kidney friendly habits, and seeing a nephrologist when appropriate. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including when to seek emergency care and how AKI vs CKD affect treatment and dialysis decisions.
References:
* Webster AC, Nagler EV, Morton RL, et al. Chronic kidney disease. Lancet. 2017 Jan 21;389(10064):123-133. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32064-5. Epub 2016 Oct 27. PMID: 27806899.
* Ronco C, Bellomo R, Kellum JA. Acute kidney injury. Lancet. 2019 Jun 22;393(10190):2618-2630. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30259-3. Epub 2019 Jun 10. PMID: 31196422.
* Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. KDIGO 2012 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int Suppl. 2013 Jan;3(1):1-150. PMID: 23378252.
* Wong MG, Abeyaratne G, Langham RG. Symptoms in chronic kidney disease and their relationship to patient-reported quality of life. J Ren Care. 2016 Sep;42(3):144-51. doi: 10.1111/jren.12188. Epub 2015 Oct 13. PMID: 26462788.
* Chawla LS, Kimmel PL. Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease: an integrated clinical syndrome. Kidney Int. 2012 May;81(9):839-45. doi: 10.1038/ki.2012.2. Epub 2012 Feb 1. PMID: 22297746; PMCID: PMC3667448.
Q.
Kidney Pain? Why Your Kidney Is Aching & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Kidney pain is typically a deep ache in the upper back or flank and is most often due to a kidney infection or kidney stones, though dehydration or acute kidney injury and, less commonly, trauma or structural disease can also be to blame; seek urgent care now for severe pain, fever, persistent vomiting, blood in urine, little or no urination, confusion, chest pain, or shortness of breath. There are several factors to consider, and medically approved next steps include hydrating if safe, reviewing kidney-stressing medications, monitoring urine changes, watching for infection signs, and seeking timely evaluation, with a symptom checker to help triage; see the complete guidance below so you do not miss important details that could change your next steps.
References:
* Sharma S, Agrawal M, Agrawal M, Kumar A. Acute Flank Pain: Review of Diagnostic Approaches and Differential Diagnoses. Indian J Nephrol. 2018 Sep-Oct;28(5):343-351. doi: 10.4103/ijn.ijn_370_17. PMID: 30429676; PMCID: PMC6219356.
* Guan T, Wu Y, Yang J, Yang Z, Cui Y. Acute renal colic: current trends in diagnosis and management. BJU Int. 2021 Jan;127(1):68-76. doi: 10.1111/bju.15175. Epub 2020 Sep 9. PMID: 32666795.
* Piccoli GB, Converso ME, Marcuccio E, Mazzaferro S, Paoletti E, Regolisti G, Garavelli G, Verna N, Roccatello D. Acute Pyelonephritis: A Review of Clinical Aspects, Diagnosis and Treatment. Clin Ther. 2019 Jul;41(7):1266-1279. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.05.022. Epub 2019 Jun 15. PMID: 31227129.
* Lewthwaite H, Prowle J. Chronic kidney disease and associated pain: an underrecognized entity. Pain. 2021 Jul 1;162 Suppl 1:S74-S77. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002242. PMID: 34181907; PMCID: PMC8219194.
* Khan S, Caskey FJ. Assessing Suspected Renal Disease in Primary Care. Clin Med (Lond). 2018 Apr;18(2):104-108. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2018-0020. PMID: 29631940; PMCID: PMC6334057.
Q.
Are there antibiotics that can harm the kidneys?
A.
Yes, some antibiotics can damage the kidneys, which is called nephrotoxicity. See below to understand more.
References:
Savoldi S. (2012). [Kidney damage by antibiotics and chemotherapy]. Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia, 23059939.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23059939/
Campbell RE, Chen CH, & Edelstein CL. (2023). Overview of Antibiotic-Induced Nephrotoxicity. Kidney international reports, 38025228.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38025228/
Morales-Alvarez MC. (2020). Nephrotoxicity of Antimicrobials and Antibiotics. Advances in chronic kidney disease, 32146999.
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Lameire N, Van Biesen W, Vanholder R. Acute renal failure. Lancet. 2005 Jan 29-Feb 4;365(9457):417-30. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17831-3. PMID: 15680458.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)17831-3/abstractBellomo R. Acute renal failure. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2011 Oct;32(5):639-50. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1287872. Epub 2011 Oct 11. PMID: 21989699.
https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0031-1287872Boydstun II. Acute renal failure. Adolesc Med Clin. 2005 Feb;16(1):1-9, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.admecli.2004.09.002. PMID: 15844380.
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1547336804000695Acute Kidney Injury - National Kidney Foundation
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/AcuteKidneyInjury#:~:text=Acute%20kidney%20injury%20(AKI)%2C,of%20fluid%20in%20your%20body.