Coping with... KIDNEY FAILURE

Acute kidney failure is a medical emergency, chronic kidney failure is a long-term condition

- Dr Gill Jenkins

In acute kidney failure (or acute kidney injury, AKI), your kidneys suddenly stop working properly, ranging from mild failure to complete failure. AKI usually happens due to another serious illness, including infection, dehydration, inflammatory or metabolic disorders. Early detection is vital – without prompt treatment, abnormal levels of salts and chemicals build up, preventing other organs working work properly.

If the kidneys shut down completely, temporary support from a dialysis machine may be needed, or the condition can be fatal. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea, dehydration, confusion and drowsiness. Diagnosis is made clinically and blood tests show high levels of waste products that the kidneys should be clearing, as well as any underlying disorders

Coffee and colorectal cancer

A BMJ review several years ago concluded that the effects of coffee were more likely to be beneficial than harmful to health. Recent research suggests this is true even for people with advanced bowel cancer. Among 1,000 patients with colorectal cancer, coffee drinking was associated with a lower risk of disease progression and death. The median survival of those drinking four or more cups daily was 39 months, compared with 31 months in people who didn’t drink coffee.

Treatments

These involve managing the causes, such as rehydration, controlling diabetes, managing infection and stopping drugs that could have caused it, such as anti-inflammatories or blood pressure treatments. Once stabilised, regular follow-up is needed of the AKI and underlying causes, to prevent it recurring.