If the decreased kidney function in elderly is due to a fluid or electrolyte imbalance, it can be dealt with by changing your water intake or consuming additional electrolytes. For more serious kidney issues, temporary dialysis may be necessary to avoid severe complications.
Kidney-Friendly Foods
Veggies like bell peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, radishes, and turnips. Seafood rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Low-potassium fruits like blueberries, red grapes, cranberries, and pineapples. Easier-to-digest proteins like egg whites or skinless chicken.
While it's not possible to reverse kidney damage, you can take steps to slow it down. Taking prescribed medicine, being physically active, and eating well will help. You'll also feel better and improve your overall well-being.
Acute kidney failure can be fatal and requires intensive treatment. However, acute kidney failure may be reversible. If you're otherwise in good health, you may recover normal or nearly normal kidney function.
Often, though, chronic kidney disease has no cure. Treatment usually consists of measures to help control signs and symptoms, reduce complications, and slow progression of the disease. If your kidneys become severely damaged, you might need treatment for end-stage kidney disease.
Water: Water is simply the best drink you can have! Water is a zero-calorie, perfectly hydrating, cheap drink. If you are in the earlier stages of kidney disease, choosing water most of the time to quench your thirst will keep your body and kidneys functioning well.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden and recent reduction in the level of kidney function. Doctors usually say AKI is severe when the kidney function, measured by blood tests, has dropped by one half (50%). Acute kidney injury often gets better in a few days or weeks.
Risk factors for kidney disease include: high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney stones, a family history of kidney failure, prolonged use of over-the-counter pain medications, and being over the age of 60.
Kidney dialysis life expectancy in the elderly depends on other medical conditions and how well they follow their treatment plan. The average life expectancy is 5-10 years but many live on dialysis for 20 or 30 years.
Life Expectancy by Age
Consider the life expectancy of 70-year old men and women. For a 70-year old man, his life expectancy for the first four stages of kidney disease would be 9 years, 8 years, 6 years, and 4 years respectively. For a 70-year-old woman, life expectancy is 11 years, 8 years, and 4 years.
Kidney problems are very common in older adults and can significantly diminish the quality of life in one's later years or even be fatal.
Diets high in salt are high in sodium, which can increase blood pressure and, in turn, harm your kidneys. Flavor your foods with herbs and spices instead of salt. Over time, you may find it easier to avoid using added salt (sodium) on your food.
Beets and their juices contain Betaine which increases urine acidity, prevents build-up of struvite and calcium phosphate and reduces the chances of kidney stone formation. Other effective cleansing agents are coconut water, cucumber juice and cherries.
A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure.
Many people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are able to live long lives without being unduly affected by the condition. Although it's not possible to repair damage that has already happened to your kidneys, CKD will not necessarily get worse.
The good news is that acute kidney failure can often be reversed. The kidneys usually start working again within several weeks to months after the underlying cause has been treated. Dialysis is needed until then.