People over 60 are “more likely than not to develop kidney disease. As people age, so do their kidneys.” In addition, “More than 50% of seniors over the age of 75 are believed to have kidney disease” and it’s more common in those over the age of 60 than in the general population, reports the National Kidney Foundation. Mayo Clinic discusses next steps after a kidney disease diagnosis.
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have high blood pressure and just received a chronic kidney disease diagnosis. I am disheartened by this news, but I also am determined to do more to improve my health. I know I may not be able to reverse my condition, but I am hoping to avoid dialysis or a kidney transplant for as long as possible.
ANSWER: Your determination will help you manage your chronic kidney disease by following recommended treatments and making lifestyle changes.
As you know, kidneys remove waste and fluids from the body through urination. With chronic kidney disease, kidney function is gradually lost. End-stage renal failure is when dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed to stay alive.
Similar to how high blood pressure is called a silent killer, many people don’t know they have chronic kidney disease until it is discovered during a lab test for another reason. Because kidney disease usually doesn’t cause symptoms in earlier stages, it often is not discovered until later in the course of the disease process. In fact, one in nine people may not know they have chronic kidney disease, but it affects about 14% of the population. That’s more than 30 million people in the U.S.
After a chronic kidney disease diagnosis
Your healthcare professional will discuss what’s best to help slow progression of the disease in your situation, but some recommendations typically include:
Follow a kidney diet
After a kidney disease diagnosis, you can adjust your diet to support kidney health.
- One key dietary adjustment to prevent the development or progression of chronic kidney disease is sodium restriction. Some people cook with a lot of salt and often add more salt at the table. Many processed foods also have added salt. Reduce sodium intake by limiting convenience foods, salty snacks and processed meats and cheeses. Overall, try to eat fresher foods rather than foods that come out of a can or a bag. You can still enjoy many foods.
- Increase fluid intake as well. Lack of fluid can lead to disease progression and affect how well medications work.
Address underlying conditions
Treatments for chronic kidney disease usually involve tackling the underlying issue. One of the most common causes of the disease is high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
High blood pressure relates to the pressure inside of blood vessels when the heart is pumping and when it relaxes. That pressure can increase as we age. A number of medical problems are associated with increases in blood pressure over time, which can lead to cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Controlling those disease processes is extremely important.
High blood pressure responds to our lifestyle choices, including getting regular exercise, avoiding processed foods, reducing sodium intake and eating more fruits and vegetables. All of these things reduce high blood pressure without medications.
Sometimes those lifestyle changes aren’t enough. These are the patients who need medications to help with blood pressure control. The patient with the disease typically has a goal blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.
Some risk factors for kidney disease we can’t control, such as our age and race. Being Black, Native American or Asian American, for example, increases the risk of kidney disease. But some risk factors can be controlled. Managing diabetes, quitting smoking or tobacco use and maintaining a healthy weight are important steps to help control kidney disease.
— Ivan Porter II, M.D., Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. This Mayo Clinic Q&A represents inquiries this healthcare expert has received from patients. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.
©2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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