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Kidney Health 101: Kidney Diseases in Seniors - Causes, Types, and Treatment
Lisa Reisman • Aug 28, 2019
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Kidney Health 101
Our kidneys are important for many reasons. Just like the rest of our organs, they can become complicated with age. The kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs found in our lower back, and they perform a variety of important functions. One of them function as a filter for waste produced by normal processes like protein breakdown. Kidneys also maintain a balance of acids and electrolytes in your blood and tissues. Additionally, they’re responsible for eliminating the fluid and byproducts of foods and medicines that our bodies don’t need. Maintaining healthy kidneys can be vital to a controlled blood pressure and the production of red blood cells.
Understanding Kidney Disease
One-third of older people have kidneys that function steadily throughout life. For the rest of us, our kidneys start to decline after the age of 35 years old based on increasing structural and hormonal changes. Since kidneys perform such an intense filtration system, the older ones become stressed and at times less effective in carrying out their roles. The result may be higher risk of fluid imbalances, build-up of waste products, and other serious consequences in later years. Doses of medications must also be reduced if kidney function has declined, since your body can accumulate “overdose” levels if your kidneys cannot get rid of drugs efficiently.
According to an article on kidney disease on Health in Aging’s website, if your kidneys are not working well, you may eventually develop these problems that arise with kidney disease:
-Fluid and electrolyte imbalance – for example, having too much or too little sodium, potassium, or water in your body
-Build-up of waste products in your body—for example, urea or acids
-Loss of protein through your kidneys
-High blood pressure from too much fluid in your body
-Anemia, or low blood counts
-Brittle bones
Chronic Kidney Disease & Treatment
There are several different types of kidney disease, however, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common. CKD affects more than 20 million adults in this country, where 35% of them are diabetes patients and about 20% are adults with high blood pressure. Chronic kidney disease forms when there’s a reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and/or the presence of proteinuria is in the kidneys. Chronic kidney disease also refers to kidney damage that lasts for more than 3 months, and can be classified into 5 stages based on how well your kidneys are able to filter out your blood. In stage 1, your kidneys maintain the ability to filter your blood, where in stage 5 the filtration rate is inadequate and you may go into kidney failure. Many people won’t notice symptoms of CKD until it has become more advanced; however, some things you may notice are muscle cramping at bedtime, swollen feet and ankles, dry itchy skin, and the need to urinate more often.
In addition to CKD, kidney failure can be caused by other health problems over time. Kidney failure is usually permanent. In terms of CKD however, it is the last and most severe stage. It can also be referred to as end-stage renal disease, or ESRD. Dialysis comes into the equation when kidneys go into failure and is a treatment administered by health professionals that helps kidneys to perform some of their lost functions.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, there are two types of dialysis— hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. In hemodialysis, an artificial kidney is used to replace the functions of your kidney that were once responsible for waste and chemical removal. Hemodialysis needs an entrance into your blood vessels in order to get blood flow to the new artificial kidney, which can be done by having minor surgery to your arm or leg. Peritoneal dialysis is a type of dialysis in which your blood is cleaned inside your body. Minor surgery is also required peritoneal dialysis; the doctor will need to place a plastic tube called a catheter into the patient’s abdomen to make an access. During peritoneal dialysis, the abdominal area is filled with dialysate, which helps clean out the extra waste and fluids.
Maintaining a Healthy Kidney
As we mentioned before, kidney disease usually stems from high blood pressure and diabetes. If you’re caring for a senior or are approaching an older age yourself, maintaining a healthy kidney is very important to reduce your risk of developing kidney disease, in addition to overall wellness for those who are in the beginning stages of high blood pressure or diabetes.
An article
by the National Institute of Health on Kidney Health and Disease provides these tips for kidney health:
-Make healthy food choices. This is especially important for those undergoing dialysis. Choosing foods that are heart healthy and low in cholesterol and saturated fats should be incorporated into each meal. If you do the grocery shopping or tag along with your caregiver, whole grains, leafy greens, and high protein is a smart place to start. Additionally look at your sugar and sodium intake and make adjustments where and when you can.
-Make physical activity part of your routine. If you can, try adding morning or nighttime walks into your schedule with a family member or caregiver. Any sort of physical activity helps keep blood pressure low which can ultimately help decrease your chances of developing kidney disease.
-Manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. As mentioned above, physical activity for about 30 minutes each day (or however many times a week possible), helps keep blood pressure in a healthy zone. Additionally keep blood glucose numbers close to your goal. Checking your blood glucose, or blood sugar, level is an important way to manage your diabetes. Your health care team may want you to test your blood glucose one or more times a day. To help manage these health issues, make sure you or your loved one is taking all medications as prescribed and on schedule if there is any. Talking with your health care provider about certain blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors and ARBs is another option, because they may help protect your kidneys from damage.
Atlanta has some wonderful kidney specialists. Your health care provider can provide a referral to a local nephrologist in order to better take care of your kidney health. Remember that taking care of your body is important no matter how old or young you are. Family or caregivers are a good resource for helping you make the changes you need, and helping you get the care you deserve.
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