Kidney disease can develop quietly, and many people do not know they have it until their kidneys have already lost much of their ability to work.
This is especially important for older adults because some possible signs, such as tiredness or changes in sleep, can easily be blamed on aging.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located toward the back of the body, below the ribs. They filter the blood, remove waste and extra water, balance important minerals, help control blood pressure and produce hormones needed for healthy red blood cells and bones.
Kidney function can gradually decline with age, but aging alone does not mean a person will develop serious kidney disease. Diabetes and high blood pressure are among the major causes of chronic kidney disease, and the risk also rises in people with heart disease or a family history of kidney problems.
One reason chronic kidney disease is difficult to spot is that its early stages often cause no clear symptoms. A person can feel normal even while kidney function is slowly declining, which is why testing is particularly important for people at higher risk.
When symptoms do appear, changes in urination can be one warning sign. A person may urinate more often, especially at night, notice foamy urine, or occasionally see blood in the urine.
Swelling can also occur when damaged kidneys have trouble removing extra salt and fluid. This fluid may collect around the ankles, feet or legs, although swelling can also have many other causes, including heart or circulation problems.
Unusual tiredness and weakness may develop as kidney disease becomes more advanced. Healthy kidneys produce a hormone that tells the body to make red blood cells, so damaged kidneys can contribute to anemia and leave a person feeling exhausted or short of energy.
Some people develop dry or itchy skin when kidney function becomes poor. Kidney disease can disturb the balance of minerals in the blood, and waste products may build up when the kidneys can no longer remove them efficiently.
Poor sleep, muscle cramps and a reduced appetite may also occur as the disease progresses. Some people experience nausea or vomiting, while severe kidney problems can make it difficult to concentrate or think clearly.
None of these symptoms proves that someone has kidney disease. Many are caused by other conditions, and early kidney disease may produce no symptoms at all, so laboratory tests are much more reliable than waiting for warning signs.
Doctors commonly use a blood test to estimate how well the kidneys filter blood. They may also test urine for albumin, a protein that can leak into urine when the kidney’s filtering system is damaged.
Finding kidney disease early can give people more time to protect the kidney function they still have. Treatment often focuses on controlling blood pressure and diabetes, reviewing medicines, following appropriate dietary advice and reducing other risks for heart and kidney disease.
Regular testing is especially valuable because chronic kidney disease is common in older adults and is often discovered during routine medical care. Major health organizations, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, emphasize that many people with chronic kidney disease are unaware they have it.
In severe cases, the kidneys may eventually become unable to remove enough waste and fluid to keep the body healthy. Some people then need dialysis, which filters the blood using a machine or special fluid, or a kidney transplant.
For older adults, the most useful message is not to rely on symptoms alone. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or other kidney risk factors can ask their doctor whether regular blood and urine tests are appropriate, while new swelling, blood in the urine or major changes in urination should be medically assessed.
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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