02 Mar Chronic Kidney Disease Cases on the Rise: Is Your Aging Relative at Risk?
Over the past three decades, the number of people dying due to kidney disease has risen sharply. Sadly, many of these deaths could have been avoided. Chronic kidney disease, which is sometimes called chronic kidney failure, happens when the kidneys slowly lose their ability to do the job of filtering waste products from the blood. If the disease progresses too far, it can lead to dangerous amounts of fluid and electrolytes in the body. Knowing more about kidney disease and its risk factors can help you to know if your older family member is at risk.
Causes and Risk Factors
Chronic kidney disease is caused by another condition that damages the kidney. So, if your older family member has one of these conditions, they are more likely to get kidney disease:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Polycystic kidney disease.
- Kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or certain cancers that cause the urinary tract to be obstructed for a long period of time.
- Recurring kidney infections.
Other things that increase the risk for developing kidney disease are:
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
- Being of African-American, Asian-American, or Native American descent.
- Having a family history of kidney disease.
- Old age.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
When kidney disease first begins, your older family member may not have any noticeable signs of symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, they may experience:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Loss of mental sharpness.
- Muscle cramps and twitches.
- Swollen feet and ankles.
- Appetite loss.
- Itching that doesn’t go away.
- Pain in the chest due to fluid building up around the house.
- Difficulty breathing due to fluid collecting in the lungs.
- High blood pressure that is not easily controlled.
How to Prevent Kidney Disease
There are ways that your aging relative can prevent kidney disease. To reduce the risks of kidney disease, the Mayo Clinic suggests following these tips:
- Use Over the Counter Medicines Carefully: When your aging relative uses over the counter medicines, it’s important that they use only the amount in the instructions. Taking too much can tax the kidneys and lead to kidney disease.
- Avoid Obesity: Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight helps to keep the kidneys healthy.
- Quit Smoking: If your aging relative smokes, they should quit.
Home care can help older adults to reduce their risks of kidney disease. A home care provider can help to read the instructions on bottles of over the counter medicines to ensure the senior takes the proper amount. Home care providers can also prepare balanced meals that promote reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Care in Millwood, WA please contact the caring staff at Care To Stay Home – Spokane today at (509) 340-1359.
Sources
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chronic-kidney-disease-is-on-the-rise
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521