Kidney failure, how can this happen in marathon runners?

It was so sad to hear that someone so young died following London's marathon. I heard he died of kidney failure. What exactly caused this?

I understand about dehydration and hyperthermia etc, but was wondering chemically, physiologically what happens. Thanks.

Hi.

He is unlikely to have died as a result simply of kideny failure -unless the diagnosis was not made or he was not admitted to hospital - which seems unlikely. Once diagnosed dialysis would have been expected to correct his metaboloic upset.

The cause here is "pre-renal" renal failure - ie a problem "before" the kidney ( as opposed to a disease of the kindey itself or a blockage to the out flow of urine).

A comination of dehydration and low blood pressure will have caused a reduction in blood flow to the kidneys ( the kidneys have a high blood flow reflecting their need for a high supply of oxygen) this reduction in blood flow will have damaged the kidney cells ( nephrons) causing ATN ( acute tubular necrosis) ( the death of tubules , the basic working unit of the kidney) and the development of kidney "failure."

Kidney failure results in a rapid rise in blood potassium levels - this is toxic to the heart and if unrecognised or not treated can cause death.

I hope that makes sense to you!

Maybe because he wasnt taking in enough water for the sweat he was exerting? This is just a guess.. you lose alot of water when you are exercising.

hypotension (decreased blood supply), usually from shock or dehydration and fluid loss.

I think hunnybunny's right. Because your kidneys clean the water so it can be used for whatever your body needs it for (general hydration), if your kidneys fail then either the water isn't clean when your body uses it or the water just doesn't get past your kidneys so you die of de-hydration.

Don't quote me on that, it's along time since I did biology!

Well, going on my past experience as an ICU nurse I would imagine he became very dehydrated during the event which led to hypotension caused by hypovolaemic shock (a decreased circulatory volume) which in turn resulted in an insult to his kidneys which responded by shutting down, sadly in this man's case irretrievably.

Yes it was very sad I saw today a piece that said according to The Times he died from hyponatraemia following kidney failure caused by a sodium deficiency it scared me as I have this condition and nearly died with it 2 years ago was in a coma for 11 days, I am very lucky as it was a young doctor who had me tested the next stage for me would have been kidney failure and death,I have been told that you are normally dead when this is found out. I have to have my bloods checked every month and if sodium is low I am on fluid restrictions. I am lucky to be here, my thoughts are with the loved ones of the young man.

Please see the web pages for more details on Sudden adult death syndrome in athletes.

any one can have kidney failure even if they are as fit as a fiddle .i myself have had kidney disease since i was 5 years old i have just recently had a transplant

* i found you a site explaining about kidney failure and death.i hope it helps you.
Highlight 3/04 Kidney
... of kidney failure were diagnosed, and 99,000 deaths from kidney failure were recorded. ... kidney failure, and related disability, premature death, and ...
www.cdc.gov/omh/Highlights/2004/HMar04...