Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, happens when the kidneys stop working properly. Their main job is to remove waste and extra fluid from the body.
When they can’t do that anymore, harmful substances build up in the blood and cause health problems. This condition can affect anyone, but it is especially common in older adults. As we age, our kidneys slowly lose some function. For some seniors, this loss becomes serious and leads to major health issues.
The problem is that early signs of kidney failure in older adults are often easy to miss. They can look like normal aging or be confused with other health conditions.
One of the first signs is feeling tired all the time. When the kidneys stop removing waste from the blood, people feel weak and sleepy. They may also have trouble focusing or thinking clearly.
Another early sign is swelling in the legs, feet, ankles, or around the eyes. This is called edema. It happens because the kidneys can’t remove fluid as they should. The fluid settles in the lower parts of the body due to gravity, and it’s often one of the first visible signs of kidney trouble.
Changes in urination are another warning. Some seniors may go to the bathroom more often, especially at night. Others may urinate less than usual. The urine may be foamy, dark, or have blood in it. These changes are easy to miss unless someone is paying close attention, which is why regular health check-ups are important.
People with early kidney failure may lose their appetite or feel sick to their stomach. Waste building up in the blood can make food taste strange or cause bad breath that smells like urine. It can also cause stomach upset and lead to weight loss.
Dry and itchy skin can be another clue. It shows the body is having trouble balancing minerals, like phosphorus. Some people may also feel cold all the time, even in warm rooms. This can happen because kidney disease often leads to anemia—a condition where the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells.
Mental symptoms like confusion, memory loss, or mood changes can appear too. These signs can look like dementia but may actually be due to poor kidney function. Studies show that kidney problems are linked to mental decline in older adults.
As the disease gets worse, breathing problems can start. This could be due to fluid building up in the lungs or anemia. In some cases, people may feel chest pain or have an irregular heartbeat. That’s because the kidneys help manage important minerals in the blood, like potassium, which affects heart health.
Kidney failure can sometimes happen suddenly after an injury or illness. But in older adults, it usually develops slowly. Many people don’t feel very sick until the disease is already advanced.
The most common causes of kidney failure in older people are long-term health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. These conditions damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys over time. That’s why regular check-ups and simple blood or urine tests are important—they can catch kidney problems before they become serious.
In summary, signs of kidney failure in seniors include fatigue, swelling, urination changes, poor appetite, confusion, and trouble breathing. Because these signs are often mistaken for normal aging, they are easy to overlook.
But if caught early, kidney disease can be slowed down. With the right care, symptoms can be managed and quality of life improved for older adults.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about pesticide linked to chronic kidney disease, and this drug may prevent kidney failure in people with diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about drug duo that may treat kidney failure, and results showing these vegetables may protect against kidney damage.
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