Acute kidney disease, or acute kidney injury (AKI), is characterized by a rapid and often severe decline in kidney function, typically occurring within hours to days. Triggered by diverse factors—severe dehydration, blood loss, sepsis, certain medications like antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, and impaired renal blood flow—AKI disrupts the kidneys' ability to filter waste, regulate fluid - electrolyte balance, and maintain blood pressure. Symptoms manifest as decreased urine output, swelling, fatigue, nausea, and confusion. Without timely treatment, it can progress to life-threatening complications, including electrolyte disorders, fluid overload, and multi-organ failure. Yet, with prompt diagnosis and proper medical care, many patients can regain normal or near-normal kidney function.
