Acute Kidney Injury Treatment in Sharjah

What is acute kidney injury?

Acute kidney injury, usually shortened to AKI, is a sudden slowdown in the kidneys' filtering work. Waste products such as creatinine and urea build up in the blood, and the balance of water, potassium and acid can drift. It develops over hours or days, which sets it apart from chronic kidney disease, where function changes slowly over months and years.

Most AKI is picked up on a blood test rather than by a symptom. A creatinine result that has jumped compared with an earlier test is often the first clue, which is why an older result is so useful to the nephrologist. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, acute kidney injury treatment is led by the nephrology team on the ward and in clinic after discharge. People who are critically unwell receive kidney care within intensive care, described on the acute kidney injury care in ICU page.

Who needs it

Treatment is for anyone whose kidney function has dropped suddenly. Doctors usually group the triggers by where the problem starts:

• Too little blood reaching the kidneys. Dehydration is the classic cause here. Long hours outdoors in the UAE summer, heavy sweating at the gym, vomiting, diarrhoea or a fasting day in the heat can all leave the kidneys short of fluid.
• Damage inside the kidney. Infections, some antibiotics, contrast dye used in some scans, regular anti-inflammatory painkillers and certain herbal or slimming preparations can injure kidney tissue directly.
• A blockage to urine flow. Kidney stones, an enlarged prostate or other narrowing can back urine up into the kidneys. Blockages are treated alongside the Urology department.

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure or existing kidney disease have less kidney reserve, so a smaller trigger affects them more. Two or three triggers at once, such as a stomach bug in someone already taking blood pressure tablets and a water tablet, is a very common pattern.

What happens

The nephrologist works through three questions: how severe the drop is, what caused it, and whether the blood chemistry needs correcting now.

Finding the cause. Blood tests check creatinine, urea, potassium, sodium and acid levels. A urine test looks for protein, blood and infection. A kidney ultrasound shows whether the kidneys are blocked and gives a view of their size, which helps separate a new injury from long-standing disease.

Reviewing every medicine. This is often the single most useful step. Medicines that strain the kidneys during illness, including some blood pressure tablets, water tablets and anti-inflammatory painkillers, are paused. Medicines cleared by the kidneys have their doses adjusted to match current function, and the plan is written down so every doctor involved follows it.

Getting fluids right. People who are dry receive fluids by drip or by mouth to restore blood flow to the kidneys. People holding too much fluid are managed the other way, with careful fluid limits and treatment to help the body clear it. Daily weights and a record of what goes in and comes out guide each adjustment.

Correcting salts and acid. Treatment brings a high potassium or a rising acid level back into a safe range, as described on the electrolyte imbalance treatment page.

Treating the trigger. Infections are treated, and a blockage is relieved with the urology team. If the kidneys need temporary support from dialysis, the nephrologist arranges it at a dialysis centre, and hospital transfer is planned where needed.

Preparing for it

The nephrologist makes faster decisions with the right information. Bring:

• Every medicine you take, in the original packs, including painkillers, herbal remedies, slimming products and protein or pre-workout supplements
• Any previous blood test results, even from years ago or from another clinic
• Details of recent scans with contrast dye, operations or hospital stays
• A note of recent illness, heat exposure, reduced drinking, vomiting or diarrhoea

If your doctor has referred you with a raised creatinine, drink normally unless advised otherwise and keep your appointment promptly.

Afterwards

Many people's kidney function improves once the trigger is removed, sometimes fully and sometimes partly. Recovery is followed with repeat blood tests after discharge, and the nephrologist decides which paused medicines to restart, in what order and when. Some people are then reviewed in clinic for longer-term kidney care.

Protect your kidneys from here on: drink steadily through hot days, take extra care during illness and Ramadan fasting, and tell every doctor, dentist and pharmacist about your kidney injury before a new medicine or a scan with contrast dye. Ask your nephrologist for a written sick-day plan listing which tablets to pause if you have vomiting, diarrhoea or a fever.

Contact the hospital on 06 599 7777 promptly if you pass much less urine than usual, notice new swelling of the legs or face, or have vomiting or diarrhoea that stops you keeping fluids down. Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department if you pass little or no urine, become breathless, feel palpitations with severe weakness, or become confused or very drowsy.

Cost and insurance

Most UAE health insurance plans cover nephrology consultation, blood and urine tests, kidney ultrasound and inpatient treatment for acute kidney injury. Admission usually needs insurer notification or pre-approval, and any dialysis is arranged within your plan's approved centre network with its own approval. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.