Maintenance of Healthy Kidney Function in Older People - Problems and Treatment

Introduction

Kidneys play a vital role in keeping the body balanced. They remove toxins and waste from the bloodstream and are carried out of the body. They also help make hormones that produce red blood cells and turn vitamin D into an active form. Kidney diseases are very common in elderly individuals and can significantly diminish the quality of life and even can result in death. Most patients can work with a primary care person to manage the symptoms and complications of decreased kidney function. It is important to consult with geriatric and nephrology specialists. It is important to determine the underlying causes, complications, and worsening symptoms to evaluate the treatment options. Loss of kidney function and abnormalities of urine, and other systemic diseases can affect kidneys and individuals with loss of kidney function and failure.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Problems With Kidney Function?

The signs and symptoms of kidney dysfunction are as follows:

• Hematuria is in which the blood in the urine is most often only detected by a specific urine test.

• Proteinuria is a term given for elevated level of protein in the urine.

• Electrolyte imbalances.

• Hypertension or high blood pressure is difficult to control with medication.

• Increased serum creatinine in the blood.

These symptoms are seen in the elderly; physicians may suspect inflammation of the kidneys, glomerulonephritis, and damage to the filtration unit leading to spilling a large amount of protein in the urine, called nephrotic syndrome. Elderly individuals with the condition may benefit from more specialized geriatric care.

What Do Healthy Kidneys Do?

The healthy kidneys can help in regulating the body’s fluid levels, release hormones that regulate blood pressure, activate vitamin D to maintain healthy bones, release a hormone that regulates blood pressure, keep blood minerals in balance, release the hormones that direct the production of red blood cells, filters waste and toxins from the blood.

What Are the Diseases Caused By the Diseased Kidneys?

The following are the diseases caused by unhealthy kidneys:

• Heart attack and stroke.

• High blood pressure.

• Weak bones.

• Nerve damage.

• Kidney failure (a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to balance fluids and remove waste products from the body).

• Anemia and low red blood cell count.

• End-stage kidney disease, kidney failure.

• Heart diseases.

What Are the Tips for Keeping Kidneys Healthy?

The following are the tips to keep kidneys healthy:

• Lose weight if the individual is overweight.

• Quit smoking.

• Getting active.

• Take medication as prescribed.

• If an individual has diabetes, target blood sugar as much as possible.

• Eat foods with low salt.

• Eat more vegetables and fruits.

• Stay in the targeted cholesterol range.

• Keep the blood pressure low at 140/90 millimeters of mercury.

How to Manage Risk Factors of Kidney Disease in Elders?

Individuals with high blood pressure and diabetes have a higher risk of developing kidney diseases. Preventing diabetic kidney disease by treating individuals who have diabetes with blood pressure-lowering drugs. Along with lowering blood pressure, medications to reduce protein in urine and risk factors for developing kidney disease should also be considered.

• Managing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar are crucial as they are all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

• Kidney disease increases the chance of having a stroke or heart disease. Early detection and treatment of kidney disease are important for individuals with diabetes to prevent delayed cardiovascular death and kidney failure.

How Is a Kidney Disease in Elders Managed?

Once kidney disease is detected, proper management is required:

• Improved lifestyle changes like consulting a dietician to make a healthy kidney-friendly diet plan.

• Avoid conditions and exposures that harm the kidneys and cause a sudden drop in kidney function, like kidney infections.

• Proper use of medications like drugs to lower blood pressure.

• Avoid medications like painkillers such as Naproxen, Ibuprofen, and certain antibiotics.

• Herbal supplements.

What Are the Complications Associated With Kidney Disease in the Elderly?

Kidney damage is irreversible. Potential complications can affect any part of the body and can include the following:

• Heart disease.

• Anemia (a condition in which the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells).

• Fluid retention could lead to swelling in the arms and legs.

• Decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and reduced fertility.

• Malnutrition occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients, these may be due to poor diet, underlying disease and digestive conditions.

• Irreversible damage to the kidneys.

• Pregnancy complications carry risks for the mother and the developing fetus.

• Damage to the central nervous system can cause difficulty concentrating, personality seizures (a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain that can lead to movements, behavior, and levels of consciousness), or changes.

• Pericarditis is an inflammation of saclike membranes that envelops the heart.

• Pregnancy complications carry risks to the growing fetus as well as the mother.

• A sudden rise in potassium levels in the blood could impair the heart’s ability to function and may be life-threatening.

What Are the Preventive Measures That Make Kidneys Healthy?

The preventive measures for preventing kidney diseases are by making healthy lifestyle choices:

• Controlling blood pressure.

• Being active on most days.

• Taking prescribed medications.

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

• Having cholesterol checked every year.

• Quit smoking and using tobacco products.

• Getting regular checkups.

• Controlling blood sugar levels.

• Taking the prescribed medications.

Conclusion

The elderly may be recommended to follow a special diet to support and help the kidneys and limit work to the kidneys. Depending on the situation, kidney function and overall health suggestions are provided, like avoiding products with added salt, choosing lower potassium foods, and avoiding high potassium foods like oranges, potatoes, spinach, bananas, oranges, and tomatoes. Limiting the high protein recommendations like eggs, milk, cheese, and beans. They should include low-protein foods like fruits, bread, and cereals. Lifestyle modifications and a better diet are essential to achieve good kidney health. Dialysis initiation rates among elderly adults above age 75 and older are increasing faster than younger ones. The elderly with advanced chronic kidney disease typically lose renal function slowly and often suffer from significant comorbidity and thus may die from associated comorbidities before they require dialysis.