Edmonton Senior Health | March 19, 2018
Symptoms of kidney disease in seniors and older adults are so subtle that the disease often goes undiagnosed. This is why it’s important to understand the symptoms of kidney disease so that symptoms can be spotted early. Take your senior loved one to see a medical professional before the disease advances.
If kidney function decreases, sodium can build up in the body. This can lead to swollen feet and ankles. Swollen feet and ankles can also be a symptom of heart disease, chronic leg vein issues, or liver disease.
Decreased kidney function can lead to fluid build-up in the body and the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Shortness of breath is often seen in the later stages of kidney disease.
Kidney disease can cause a person to feel cold constantly, even when they should be warm. Additionally, pyelonephritis or a kidney infection can cause a person to experience fever and chills.
Kidneys are the organ that handles the urinary tract within the body, and changes in urination are often a sign of kidney disease. Urine with traces of blood, bubbly or foamy urine, difficulty urinating, or the overwhelming urge to urinate are all considered changes in urination and should be reported to a doctor.
As kidneys begin to fail, a buildup of wastes in the body or anemia can cause a shortage of red blood cells. This can lead to feelings of weakness or fatigue.
Waste buildup from weakened kidney function can cause a bad taste in the mouth. Medications used to treat kidney stones, arthritis, and high blood pressure can also cause a bad taste in the mouth.
If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, you should visit a doctor to perform basic screening tests. If kidney disease is found during screening, a doctor known as a nephrologist can conduct deeper, more specialized evaluations and can advise on lifestyle changes to reduce or treat the symptoms of kidney disease.
Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care.
We offer retirement care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and more!
Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind, empathy. Empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s needs.
To learn more about senior in-home care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office. Our service territory includes Edmonton, Devon, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office at 780-465-4665.
© Copyright 2025, Comfort Keepers | Privacy Policy | Code of Ethics | Call: 780-465-4665