Inside your kidneys are small tube-shaped structures that remove salt, excess fluids, and waste products from your blood. When these tubules are damaged or destroyed, you develop acute tubular necrosis (ATN), a type of acute kidney injury. The damage may result in acute kidney failure.

SYMPTOMS

• Feel drowsy even during the day
• Feel lethargic or physically drained
• Be excessively thirsty or experience dehydration
• Urinate very little or not at all
• Retain fluid or experience swelling in your body
• Have episodes of confusion
• Experience nausea or vomiting

CAUSES

• The most common cause of ATN is a lack of oxygen reaching the cells of your kidneys. If blood can’t reach your kidneys due to a blockage or decreased flow, your kidneys can be damaged or destroyed. This lack of blood flow can be caused by hypotension and certain drugs.
• Harmful substances in your blood can also damage tubules. Toxins may change the way cells in the tubules function.
• Certain chemicals and medications such as antibiotics, anesthetics, and radiology dyes may cause ATN if your body reacts negatively to them.

RISK FACTORS

• Recent injury to your body, especially the kidneys. The trauma may cause blood clots or another blockage in the blood vessels servicing your kidneys.
• A bad reaction to a blood transfusion. Your body may reject or destroy the blood cells in transfused blood. This may lead to problems if your body can’t get sufficient blood supply to the kidneys.
• Septic shock. Sepsis can cause a drastic drop in your blood pressure and slow blood circulation to your kidneys. This is very dangerous if you already have low blood pressure problems.
• A major surgical procedure. This can cause complications with your blood supply or circulation.
• Urinalysis to look for abnormal cells in your urine, the color of the urine, and signs of infection from bacteria and other organisms
• blood urea nitrogen and creatinine urine tests since both levels increase with kidney failure
• biopsy to examine your kidney tissue
• Blood tests to measure sodium and creatinine
• ct scans of the inside of your kidneys

TREATING ACUTE TUBULAR NECROSIS

• It’s possible you’ll need to regulate the amount of water you drink to avoid excess fluid retention. Too much fluid can lead to abnormal swelling in your arms, legs, and feet.
• Depending on your condition, dialysis could be another treatment option. This procedure helps your kidneys filter out excess fluids and waste.

PREVENTION

To avoid ATN, treat conditions that decrease oxygen and blood flow to the kidneys. Control existing disorders such as diabetes, heart conditions, and liver disease. Drink plenty of water after using any contrast dyes. Ask your doctor to monitor your blood if you take medications that may be toxic to your kidneys.

CONCLUSION

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Media Contact:

John Robert                               
Assistant Managing Editor

Journal of Kidney Treatment and Diagnosis