Risk Factors of Kidney Failure

Risk Factors of Kidney Failure

Risk Factors of Kidney Failure

The elderly are at a higher risk of kidney disease. Since it can be difficult to detect kidney disease, and an individual can lose up to 90 percent of kidney function before symptoms develop, it is important that older Americans and their caregivers are vigilant.

An article from the Mayo Clinic, Acute Kidney Failure, outlines some of the risk factors that put people at a higher than normal risk of acute kidney failure. These risk factors include:

  1. Advanced age
  2. Being hospitalized for a serious medical condition
  3. Diabetes
  4. Heart failure
  5. High blood pressure
  6. Liver disease
  7. Peripheral artery disease

Acute kidney failure occurs when kidneys suddenly are unable to filter waste products from the blood. Also called acute renal failure or acute kidney injury, the condition develops rapidly over a few hours or few days.

Acute kidney failure can be deadly but may be reversible if a patient is in otherwise good health. If you have any questions or would like more information on kidney failure in the elderly, call Physician’s Choice Private Duty at 402-331-2273.