Did you know that kidney disease affects 37 million Americans and has become the fastest-growing noncommunicable disease in the United States? It is also popular as a “silent epidemic” because its signs and symptoms are often nonexistent until your kidneys are already damaged. Once kidneys fail, people need lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant. Age also plays a major role. The older you are, the higher the risk of kidney function decline and kidney disease. However, some tips can help you keep your kidneys healthy as you grow old. Learn how aging impacts kidney disease and how to keep kidneys healthy as you grow older. If you want to know more about urological health, visit us at Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center and consult with the best nephrologists and urologists in East New York.
Kidney disease and aging
Aging is a natural and inevitable process that affects various organs and bodily functions, including the kidneys. As you age, the kidneys experience certain changes which significantly affect overall function and efficiency. Some people are more at risk of some common kidney diseases:
- Inflammation or swelling of the kidneys: This can occur due to conditions like glomerulonephritis, which occurs when glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering system gets damaged.
- Diabetes: This is the most common cause of kidney disease. It occurs when high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves of the kidneys, even when diabetes is well managed.
- Urinary tract infections: A type of infection that can affect any part of the urinary system including kidneys, bladder, and urethra. If it affects the kidneys, it can cause lasting damage if left untreated. These infections are more common in women, particularly with increasing age.
- Urinary incontinence: This causes uncontrolled leaking of urine from the bladder which increases the risk of urinary tract infections. Your doctor will examine problems associated with passing urine, as it might indicate more serious kidney problems and other conditions such as an enlarged prostate in men.
- Renovascular disease: When fatty deposits, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances are deposited in the inner lining of the arteries, causing narrowing or blockage of the renal artery, it affects kidney filters, and lowers blood flow to the kidneys, resulting in high blood pressure, and reducing kidney function. This is one of the most common causes of kidney failure in the elderly.
- High blood pressure: If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of certain health problems like heart attack, stroke, loss of vision, and kidney damage.
- Hereditary kidney diseases: This can include diseases like polycystic kidney disease.
- Scarring of the kidneys: This mainly affects young children and is caused by a condition called urinary reflux, which occurs when urine backflows from the bladder into the kidneys.
Kidney disease often causes no warning signs. That’s why most people lose up to 90% of their kidney functions before having symptoms. Signs of kidney disease may include:
- High blood pressure.
- Changes in frequency and amount of urine passed.
- Changes in urine appearance.
- Blood in the urine.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Appetite loss.
- Pain in the kidney area.
- Trouble focusing.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Shortness of breath.
- Bad breath with a metallic taste in the mouth.
5 Tips for maintaining renal functions as you grow older
Several strategies help you maintain renal functions as you grow older:
- Manage pre-existing health conditions:
Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of chronic kidney disease. That’s why you need proper management of these conditions to lower the risk of chronic kidney disease. Any risk of diabetes and hypertension grows rapidly with age, some lifestyle changes need to be adopted to manage them better such as choosing complex carbohydrates like brown rice or legumes over simple ones like white bread and pasta which increase blood sugar levels, eating smaller meals instead of large three meals to keep your blood sugar levels in check, losing excess weight through regular exercise and a healthy diet to manage blood pressure.
For proper guidance, consult with a Urologist, call Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center to get a proper consultation!!
- Keep yourself active and fit:
Regular exercise offers many physical benefits such as reducing blood pressure and boosting heart health, both factors help to prevent kidney damage. To get the benefits of exercise, you don’t have to work out intensely. Simple exercises like walking, running, cycling, and even dancing can keep you active and healthy. It is easier to stick with them and achieve great results.
- Drink more water:
Studies found a promising link between healthy kidney function and increased water intake. Drinking water can prevent kidney stones from forming and filter out excess sodium, urea, and waste products from the body. When the body is dehydrated, kidneys produce concentrated urine, which can (over time) result in kidney disease. So, older adults must drink 6 to 8 glasses of plain water each day even if they don’t feel thirsty.
- Avoids foods that are tough for kidneys to process:
Processed foods contain high sodium, sugar, and phosphorus content that strain the kidneys immensely which can lead to kidney disease over time. Similarly, prolonged use of over-the-counter painkillers and beverages like caffeine and alcohol do the same. In comparison, if you eat dark leafy vegetables, berries, and fruits, these are easier for the kidneys to process and help to keep your kidneys healthy.
- Get enough good night’s sleep:
Sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being because it provides more energy to work, makes you more focused, improves your blood pressure, and controls your appetite. New research has also found a link between sleep deprivation and elevated risk of conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney malfunction. People who sleep less at night often experience faster kidney function decline. Researchers also found that kidney function is regulated by the sleep-wake cycle, which helps to coordinate the kidney’s workload.
Aging can significantly affect kidney health by lowering its functionality and increasing the risk of kidney disease. However, following the above-mentioned tips helps to maintain renal function when you’re old. It also lowers the risk of kidney disease and helps you maintain good kidney health.
Need help with kidney disease, visit our Urology center in Brooklyn for professional medical help. Call to book your appointment now!!! At Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center, our team of urologists will work with you in managing your disease and your quality of life. We also offer services, such as renal and bladder ultrasound. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call +1-718-367-2555. You can also visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/.
