As people in Grand Rapids, Michigan get older, their kidneys become more vulnerable to damage from common health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and urinary tract problems. Cold West Michigan winters, less physical activity, and higher rates of heart disease in Michigan can all play a role in kidney health as we age.

Early detection and good management can significantly slow kidney damage and help maintain quality of life. Many older adults in Grand Rapids receive kidney care through local providers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

Why Age Increases Kidney Disease Risk

Your kidneys filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. Over time, these filters can become damaged. In older adults, kidney problems are often linked with:

  • Long-standing diabetes
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Heart and blood vessel disease
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Renal artery narrowing (renovascular disease)
  • Certain inherited kidney diseases

In Michigan, where heart disease and diabetes are common, older adults in Grand Rapids are at particular risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Kidney Disease Often Has No Early Warning Signs

Kidney disease is often called a “silent disease” because it may not cause noticeable symptoms until a large portion of kidney function is lost. People can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before they notice symptoms.

Because of this, regular kidney health checks are crucial, especially if you live in the Grand Rapids area and have other health conditions.

When to Get a Kidney Health Check in Grand Rapids

Talk to your primary care doctor at:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) practices
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids clinics
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health or other local clinics

You should have a kidney health check at least every two years if you have risk factors. This check usually includes:

  • Blood test (to check kidney function – creatinine, eGFR)
  • Urine test (to look for protein or blood)
  • Blood pressure check

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend yearly or more frequent testing.

1. Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of kidney disease in the United States, including in Michigan.

High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, even when diabetes seems well controlled. Over time, this can lead to diabetic kidney disease.

In Grand Rapids, many people with diabetes receive coordinated care through local endocrinology and nephrology clinics to help protect their kidneys.

2. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure is both:

  • A cause of kidney disease, and
  • A result of kidney disease

Untreated high blood pressure can:

  • Damage kidney blood vessels
  • Reduce kidney function
  • Increase risk of heart attack, stroke, and vision loss

This is one of the most common causes of kidney failure in older adults.

3. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are very common, especially in:

  • Women
  • Older adults
  • People with urinary incontinence

If a UTI is not treated promptly, the infection can spread to the kidneys, causing a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). This can lead to lasting kidney damage.

In Grand Rapids, you can seek help for UTIs through your primary care provider, urgent care centers, or walk-in clinics affiliated with Spectrum Health, Trinity Health, or Metro Health.

4. Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is uncontrolled leaking of urine. It becomes more common with age and can:

  • Increase the risk of UTIs
  • Indicate other problems such as enlarged prostate in men
  • Be linked to pelvic floor weakness in women

Any new or worsening urinary symptoms should be checked by your doctor to rule out kidney disease, prostate problems, or bladder issues.

5. Renovascular Disease

Renovascular disease occurs when fatty deposits, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances build up in the inner lining of the arteries that supply the kidneys (renal arteries). This can:

  • Narrow or block the renal arteries
  • Reduce blood flow to the kidneys
  • Lead to high blood pressure and reduced kidney function

This condition is more common in older adults and those with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

6. Urinary Reflux and Kidney Scarring

Scarring of the kidneys can be caused by urinary reflux, a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder into the kidneys. This is more common in children and young people, but scarring can lead to long-term kidney damage that may not be detected until later in life.

7. Hereditary Kidney Diseases

Some kidney diseases run in families, such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD). If you have a family history of kidney failure or inherited kidney conditions, you may need earlier and more frequent screening.

Symptoms of Kidney Disease

While early kidney disease often has no symptoms, more advanced disease may cause:

  • High blood pressure
  • Changes in urination, such as:
    • Passing more or less urine than usual
    • Getting up often at night to urinate
    • Changes in the appearance of urine
    • Blood in the urine
  • Swelling (puffiness) in the legs, ankles, feet, or around the eyes
  • Pain in the kidney area (mid to lower back, on either side)
  • Tiredness and fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Headaches
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Itching
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Bad breath or a metallic taste in the mouth

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your GP or primary care provider promptly.

You may be at higher risk of kidney disease if you:

  • Are over 60 years of age
  • Have diabetes
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Have heart disease (heart failure, previous heart attack) or have had a stroke
  • Are a smoker
  • Have a family history of kidney failure
  • Have had a previous episode of acute kidney injury (sudden kidney failure)
  • Have chronic urinary tract infections or urinary reflux
  • Have high cholesterol or other vascular disease

In Michigan, where cold winters can limit outdoor activity and contribute to weight gain and higher blood pressure, it’s especially important for older adults in Grand Rapids to monitor these risk factors.

How Kidney Disease Affects Your Heart

Kidney health and heart health are closely linked. People with chronic kidney disease are:

  • Two to three times more likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in people on dialysis and in those with a kidney transplant.

This makes it essential to manage:

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Blood sugar
  • Smoking
  • Weight and physical activity

Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy in Grand Rapids, MI

There are many steps you can take to protect your kidneys as you age.

1. Manage Diabetes Carefully

If you have diabetes:

  • Keep your blood sugar within target range
  • Take insulin or diabetes medications exactly as prescribed
  • Follow your doctor’s advice on diet and physical activity
  • Monitor your blood sugar regularly
  • Have regular kidney function tests

Local diabetes education programs are available through Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health.

2. Control High Blood Pressure

  • Have your blood pressure checked regularly
  • Aim for the target recommended by your doctor
  • Take anti-hypertensive medications (such as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers) as prescribed – these can slow the development of kidney disease
  • Reduce salt in your diet
  • Maintain a healthy weight and stay active

3. Treat Urinary Tract Infections Promptly

  • See a doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of a UTI:
    • Burning or pain when urinating
    • Frequent urge to urinate
    • Cloudy, strong-smelling, or bloody urine
    • Lower abdominal or back pain
  • Complete the full course of any prescribed antibiotics
  • Drink plenty of water, especially during dry indoor heating months in Grand Rapids winters

4. Manage Cholesterol and Diet

  • Control blood cholesterol levels with:
    • A heart-healthy diet
    • Medications if necessary
  • Choose foods that are:
    • Low in sugar, saturated fat, and salt
    • High in fiber (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes)
  • Stick to moderate serving sizes

5. Stay Hydrated

  • Drink enough water throughout the day, unless your doctor has advised fluid restriction
  • In winter, dry indoor air and heated homes can increase fluid loss, so be mindful of your intake

6. Maintain a Healthy Weight and Stay Active

  • Aim for a healthy weight for your height and age
  • Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days
    Examples in Grand Rapids:
    • Walking indoors at Woodland Mall or RiverTown Crossings in winter
    • Using local gyms or community centers
    • Walking trails along the Grand River or in Kent County parks during warmer months

7. Do Not Smoke

  • Smoking damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and worsens kidney disease
  • Ask your doctor about smoking cessation programs available in Grand Rapids or through the Kent County Health Department

8. Limit Alcohol

  • Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all
  • Discuss safe limits with your healthcare provider, especially if you have kidney or liver problems

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

See your GP or primary care provider if you:

  • Have any symptoms of kidney disease
  • Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease and have not had a kidney check in the last 1–2 years
  • Notice changes in your urine
  • Have swelling in your legs, ankles, or around your eyes
  • Have frequent UTIs or urinary incontinence

You can access care through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) primary care and nephrology clinics
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids clinics
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health and other local medical groups
  • Community health centers in Kent County

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health also provide information and resources on chronic disease management and healthy aging.

Key Points for Older Adults in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Older adults are more at risk of kidney and urinary tract diseases.
  • Diabetes and high blood pressure are major causes of kidney disease in the United States and in Michigan.
  • UTIs should be treated promptly; untreated kidney infections can cause permanent damage.
  • Many people lose up to 90% of their kidney function before developing symptoms.
  • Regular kidney health checks (blood test, urine test, blood pressure) every 1–2 years are vital if you have risk factors.
  • Keeping your kidneys healthy also protects your heart and overall health.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and are concerned about age-related kidney problems, speak with your doctor or contact local providers for a kidney health evaluation and personalized prevention plan.