This topic provides information about sudden kidney failure. If
you are looking for information about long-term kidney disease,
see the topic Chronic Kidney Disease. Acute renal failure (also
called acute kidney injury) means that your kidneys have
suddenly stopped working. Your kidneys remove waste products and
help balance water and salt and other minerals (electrolytes) in
your blood. When your kidneys stop working, waste products,
fluids, and electrolytes build up in your body. This can cause
problems that can be deadly. Acute renal failure has three main
causes: You have a greater chance of getting acute renal failure
if: Symptoms of acute renal failure may include: Some people may
not have any symptoms. And for people who are already quite ill,
the problem that's causing the kidney failure may be causing
other symptoms. Acute renal failure is most often diagnosed
during a hospital stay for another cause. If you are already in
the hospital, tests done for other problems may find your kidney
failure. If y