{"id":391,"date":"2014-10-23T23:22:01","date_gmt":"2014-10-23T22:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thinkkidneys.nhs.uk\/aki\/?page_id=391"},"modified":"2024-02-20T16:26:14","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T16:26:14","slug":"information-for-the-public","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thinkkidneys.nhs.uk\/aki\/information-for-the-public\/","title":{"rendered":"Information for the public"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Archived Content Notice<\/h2>\n

You are currently accessing the Think Kidneys website. Please be aware that this site is an archive and contains content from the Think Kidneys project, which concluded in 2019. As a result, the information presented here is no longer being updated or maintained.<\/p>\n

For the most current and relevant information, we encourage medical professionals to visit the UK Kidney Association<\/a> for comprehensive resources and updates in the field. Patients and their families can find valuable, patient-centric information and support at Kidney Care UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We thank you for your understanding and invite you to explore these recommended resources for up-to-date insights and guidance in kidney care and health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Click here to see a short animation: Think Kidneys Awareness Campaign<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Acute kidney injury and what you need to know<\/strong><\/p>\n

Think Kidneys increases awareness of the prevention, detection and treatment of acute kidney injury for health and care professionals.<\/p>\n

Click here to see our infographic poster: Think Kidneys \u2013 (Almost) everything you need to know about your kidneys <\/a><\/p>\n

What is acute kidney injury and what causes it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your kidneys are vital organs in your body and are responsible for keeping you healthy. Acute kidney injury is a sudden and recent reduction in a person\u2019s kidney function. It is often referred to as AKI. Kidney function is measured by blood tests and acute kidney injury is identified in the same way. Acute kidney injury can be caused by a number of things. It might be because of stress on the kidneys, due to other illnesses or infection. It might be due to severe dehydration or it could be the result of the side effects of some drugs, when you are unwell. Sometimes it\u2019s due to a combination of factors. Acute kidney injury can get better in a few days or weeks, but sometimes it causes ongoing problems. Although called acute kidney injury it is not caused as a result of a physical blow to the body. Nor is it caused by excessive intake of alcohol, yet it should be remembered that too much alcohol can damage your other organs, and cause you to be dehydrated.<\/p>\n

If you are being cared for by a doctor for a long term illness, you should check when you next see him\/her whether or not your illness makes you more likely to develop kidney disease in some circumstances. If so, then if you become dehydrated, which can happen if you have been vomiting or you’ve had diarrhoea, you should seek medical advice. This applies particularly to the elderly.<\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of acute kidney injury?<\/h3>\n

Sometimes there are no real symptoms or signs. A blood test is needed to detect it. Acute kidney injury can have the following symptoms<\/p>\n