You can’t always be there. But we can.
What Do Kidney Issues Look Like?
Tips for Organizing Your Elderly Loved One’s Schedule
February 3, 2020
Teens Bond With the Elderly Better Than You May Realize
February 17, 2020What Do Kidney Issues Look Like?
Kidney issues might not be something your senior has had to deal with in the past, but she may be starting to have issues as she ages. Many of the problems your senior may start to have with her kidneys are minor, but need quick intervention from her doctor to stay minor.
Home Care Services Hacienda Heights CA – What Do Kidney Issues Look Like?
She Doesn’t Feel as Well as She Should
If your elderly family member just isn’t feeling well, that doesn’t automatically mean kidney problems. But it’s important to note that the kidneys help to remove waste from the body. When that’s not happening, your senior may feel sluggish, she may seem confused, and she may experience a general feeling of not being well. If there’s nothing else to attribute these feelings to, you may want to be alert for some of these other signs.
She’s Urinating More Frequently or Is Seeing Blood in Her Urine
Something else to be aware of is how often your senior is urinating and whether that’s happening more or less frequently than usual. It’s possible that she’s feeling the urge to go, but when she gets to the bathroom she’s not able to produce any urine. If her urine is tinged pink or even appears red, that’s a sign of blood in her urine. This could be due to a urinary tract infection, but it can also be a sign of kidney issues.
She’s Experiencing Swelling in Her Extremities
If your elderly family member is experiencing swelling in her extremities, that can be a sign that her body isn’t able to flush her system the way that it should. She may notice that she doesn’t have swelling early in the day but does experience swelling later in the day. If she’s not urinating and she’s experiencing fluid retention, this could be a definite sign of trouble.
She’s Experiencing Side or Back Pain
Your senior’s kidneys are located in her back, slightly to the side. Pain or tenderness in these areas can mean that her kidneys are inflamed or irritated. Your senior may find that it’s uncomfortable to lie on her back or to lean against the back of a chair. Pain that isn’t related to a muscle injury in that area is definitely something to talk to her doctor about.
If your elderly family member is experiencing a kidney infection or even something bigger with her kidney health, there may be some tasks that are more difficult right now. Home care services providers can help her to rest, while still being able to eat healthy meals and having company.
