Yes, kidney disease often worsens with age because kidney function naturally declines as we get older, with a loss of filtering units (nephrons) and stiffening of blood vessels, increasing risk for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and infections, which further damage kidneys, though many older adults manage CKD well, it's crucial to monitor kidney health due to increased susceptibility and slower recovery from illness.
For someone around 60, stage 1 stage 2 kidney disease life expectancy will be approximately 15 years. That figure falls to 13 years, 8 years, and 6 years in the second, third, and fourth stages of kidney disease, respectively.
Lifestyle changes
The most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults are diabetes and high blood pressure.
Limit or avoid packaged and processed foods and drinks that have added phosphorus, such as deli meats, flavored drinks, and other processed foods. Check Nutrition Facts labels for added phosphorus.
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Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.
Water is the best option, followed by kidney-friendly drinks like lemon water, cranberry juice, herbal teas, and coconut water. Avoid alcohol, sugary beverages, and excessive caffeine.
“The biggest risk factors are if you have high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus. Those are the main conditions that can lead to chronic kidney disease when uncontrolled,” Dr. Correa said. “Other risk factors are autoimmune conditions, which the most common is lupus.
More tips to manage CKD
Smoking can make kidney disease worse and interfere with medicine that lowers blood pressure. Limit how much alcohol you drink. Alcohol can increase your risk of high blood pressure. Keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg (or the target set by your doctor).
You can check kidney function at home using at-home test kits for urine (detecting protein/albumin) or finger-prick blood tests (checking creatinine/eGFR), often with smartphone apps for analysis, or by monitoring symptoms like increased nighttime urination (nocturia), swelling, or changes in urine (blood, foam) and discussing results with a doctor, as home tests screen but don't replace professional diagnosis.
Outlook (Prognosis) End-stage kidney disease leads to death if you do not have dialysis or a kidney transplant.
With chronic kidney disease, the damage tends to happen over the course of several years. High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes are the two most common causes of chronic kidney disease. Other causes and conditions that affect kidney function and can cause chronic kidney disease include: Glomerulonephritis.
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Extreme, on-going tiredness, together with a lack of energy, is often called fatigue. There are lots of reasons why you may experience fatigue with CKD. If your kidneys are not working well, toxins (waste products) build up in your blood and this can make you feel tired and weak.
A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease.
An ultrasound of the kidneys also may help determine whether kidney problems are acute or chronic. Normal-sized kidneys may be present in either condition, but when both kidneys are smaller than normal, chronic kidney disease is usually the problem.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, while also managing blood pressure and blood sugar to prevent damage.
End-stage Kidney Disease (ESKD)
Males are 1.6 times more likely to develop ESKD than females. Black people are more than 4 times more likely to develop ESKD. Hispanic people and Native American people are more than twice as likely to develop ESKD. Asian people are 1.6 times more likely to develop ESKD.
Soda is one of the worst drinks for kidney health. Regular soda is packed with sugar and caffeine. Dark sodas also contain phosphorus additives. These can be harmful to people with kidney problems because they can cause bone and heart issues.
Here's a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health.
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Lemon juice also filters blood and washes out waste and other toxins from the body, helping to maintain a healthy body. Diluted intake of lemon juice can reduce the rate of kidney stone formation and dissolve calcium oxalate crystals that are the most common component of kidney stones.