Kidney disease can happen to anyone, but it is more common in people with diabetes and people with high blood pressure.
Kidney disease develops very slowly over many years and is most common in people who have had the condition for over 20 years. It follows therefore that older people in care homes may be more likely to have some level of kidney disease.
As well as the checks made at a person’s annual review, it is recommended that the same screening for complications should be carried out when becoming a resident in any type of care home.
These will include:
- a blood pressure measurement which may be taken when lying down as well as standing up (depending on the person’s level of fitness)
- a urine test for protein and albumin/creatinine ratio. Protein in the uring may be due to an infection, so this check is important.
- a blood test which will measure the efficiency of the kidney function and to check the levels of certain minerals in the blood.
Symptoms of kidney disease
- When kidney disease first develops there are often no symptoms (signs) which is why screening and the annual review are so important.
- The first sign which may be noticed is ankle swelling
- If kidney problems are not picked up early the following symptoms may begin to be evident.
- passing much more or much less urine
- tiredness
- itchy skin
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- metallic taste in the mouth
- drowsiness
- darkening skin
- muscle cramps
- anaemia
It is important that the doctor knows about any symptoms as the risk of kidney disease progessing can be reduced by good blood pressure and blood glucose control, so changes may be needed to the person’s medication.
Treatment begins with possible changes in the diet and referral may be necessary to a specialist registered dietitian who can help to plan an appropriate eating programme. Tablets may be prescribed to help the body get rid of extra fluid.
Reviewed March 2010
Next review September 2011