Question 394 of 433
Are my kidneys aging?
The short answer
Kidney function often declines with age, at widely varying rates, and one in seven American adults has chronic kidney disease. Most do not know it.
Kidney disease has no symptoms until it is advanced, and it sharply raises heart risk. Two inexpensive tests find it: a blood test for filtration rate (eGFR) and a urine test for a protein called albumin. The urine test is the one that gets skipped. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, ask for both every year. Avoid routine use of anti-inflammatory painkillers, which are hard on the kidneys.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
GUIDELINE / EPIDEMIOLOGY — At-risk adults: eGFR and albuminuria assessment; decline is not inevitable at the same rate for everyone.Evidence grade (draft mapping)GGuideline-based / consensusPart 27, Q394 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.