AKI

Last Updated on December 10, 2024 by Analgesia team

AKI Medical Abbreviation

AKI is a medical abbreviation for Acute kidney injury, which is a sudden and often reversible decline in kidney function. AKI can range from minor to complete kidney failure. It’s usually a complication of another serious illness and is important to detect and treat early.

AKI is characterized by: A sudden decrease in urine output and An increase in serum creatinine. 

 

  • Causes

  Acute kidney injury can be caused by a number of conditions, including infections, reduced blood flow to the kidneys, or kidney-damaging medications. It can also be caused by urinary obstruction, such as kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or blood clots in the urinary tract.

  • Symptoms

    Acute kidney injury is often difficult to detect because there are rarely any symptoms until kidney function is severely damaged. However, when symptoms do occur, they include a buildup of waste products in the blood, such as creatinine and urea. 

  • Diagnosis

    AKI is diagnosed based on changes in serum creatinine and/or a reduction in urine output. 

  • Treatment

    Early detection and quick treatment of Acute kidney injury is essential. Many cases can be easily managed with the right treatments. 

  • Complications
    Complications of AKI include hyperkalaemia, metabolic acidosis, fluid overload, uraemia, and chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Risk factors for AKI include:
  • Age
  • Diabetes
  • History of AKI or urological obstruction
  • History of chronic kidney disease, heart failure, liver disease, or diabetes 
AKI is different from chronic kidney disease, which is a gradual and irreversible loss of kidney function. 

 

 

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