Acute Kidney Injuries, also referred to as AKIs, are more common than patients may realize. They are the sudden onset of kidney failure or damage, often occurring within hours or days of the incident that caused it.
When AKI occurs, a buildup of waste products in the blood makes it difficult for the body to balance the right type of fluids in the body. Eventually, AKI can affect other organs in the body, such as the lungs, heart, or brain.
Common Symptoms Associated with Acute Kidney Injury
The symptoms may vary depending on the extent of the injury as well as what caused it. Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Infrequent urine output
- Swelling in the extremities
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained fatigue
- Confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizures
- Coma (in severe cases)
There are some instances where AKI has no symptoms until the condition has advanced.
Causes of AKI
AKI occurs for a vast number of reasons, including the overuse of NSAIDs, injuries, burns, major surgery, heart attack, and prescription medications.
Certain medicines, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), may lead to AKI as well. Several studies have been conducted since its discovery, and it has been shown that patients who take PPIs long-term are more likely to develop AKI than patients that do not take PPIs or do not take them as frequently.
How an Accident Lawyer in Hudson Valley Helps Patients
Patients who develop AKI because of a prescription medication may have a claim against their physician or the company responsible for manufacturing the prescription. PPIs are not designed for long-term use unless necessary.
Some research has shown that physicians are prone to prescribing these acid-reducing medications and then never following up with patients; thus, leaving their patients on these prescriptions longer than necessary.
An accident lawyer in Hudson Valley may be able to assist patients that suffer from AKI because of negligent prescribing. When a physician prescribes a medication for their patient, they are required to follow up with that patient. A medical practitioner must adjust the medication when necessary, and stop its use when it is no longer needed.
When a patient develops acute kidney injury or renal failure because of a physician’s carelessness, it is a matter of negligence.
To file a claim against a physician, a patient must speak with an accident lawyer in Hudson Valley to explore their options. A doctor will review medical records, assess the studies, and determine if the manufacturer or physician is responsible.
