Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 avyavy ioienioroavvy Senior avvyy vy ennioorn rniiori How to Prevent the Silent Epidemic of Kidney Disease Dear Savvy Senior, Do kidney problems run in families? My mother died from kidney failure 10 years ago at age 74 but didn’t know she had a kidney problem until it was too late. Just Turned 60 Dear 60, Anyone who has a family history of kidney disease, or who has high blood pressure or diabetes is at increased risk and needs to have their kidneys tested. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 37 million U.S adults have chronic kidney disease (when the kidneys can’t properly do their job of cleaning toxins and wastes from the blood), and millions more are at risk of developing it, yet most people don’t realize it. That’s because kidney disease develops very slowly over many years before any symptoms arise. But left untreated, the disease can eventually require people to spend hours hooked up to a dialysis machine or get a kidney transplant. Even mild kidney problems can double a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as cause anemia and bone disease. The reason kidney disease has become so widespread today is because of the rise of obesity, type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure which all strain the kidneys. Another factor is the increasing number of people who take multiple medications, which can overtax the organs. People over age 60 are especially vulnerable both because they tend to take more drugs, and because kidney function normally declines somewhat with age. Get Tested Because kidney disease has no early symptoms, the only way to catch it before it advances is to have a simple blood and urine test by your doctor. So, anyone that has diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, a family history of kidney disease, or is age 60 or older needs to get tested. African, Hispanic, Asian and Indian Americans along with Pacifi c Islanders are also at increased risk. If you’re diagnosed with kidney disease you need to know that there’s no cure, but there are steps you can take to help contain the damage, including: Control your blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, get it under 130/80. If you need medication to do it, ACE inhibitors and ARBs are good choices because of their proven ability to protect the kidneys. Control your diabetes: If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Change your diet: This usually means reducing the amount of protein and phosphorus you eat and cutting back on sodium and possibly potassium. Your doctor can help you determine an appropriate eating plan, or you may want to talk to a dietitian. Watch your meds: Dozens of commonly used drugs can damage the kidneys, especially when taken in high doses over long periods – most notably NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Herbal supplements can also be very dangerous. Talk to your doctor about all the prescription, over the counter and herbal products you take to identify potential problems and fi nd alternatives. Exercise and lose weight: If you’re overweight and inactive, start an aerobic fi tness routine (walk, swim, cycle, etc.) that gets your heart pumping. This will help lower blood pressure, control diabetes and help you lose excess weight all of which will help your kidneys. Quit smoking: If you smoke, quit. Heart disease becomes a much greater risk to the kidneys if your smoke. Smoking also doubles the rate of progression to end-stage renal failure. Limit alcohol intake: Drinking too much alcohol can worsen kidney disease too, so talk to your doctor to see if it’s safe for you to drink, and if so, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Lucia (Pucci) Tolu Of Everett, passed away on March 13, 2020, at 97 years. Beloved husband of 67 years to the late Frances (DiNatale) Palumbo. He was the proud father of Lorraine P. Palumbo of North Andover and Dolores A. Collins of Middleton, father-in-law of James H. Collins. Loving great grandfather of Cadence, Casey, and Colby Collins of Peabody. He is also survived by one grandson, Kevin J. Collins and his wife JulieAnn Collins of Peabody. Charles graduated Everett High School class of 1941. He was a WWII veteran of the US Army Air Force and retired in 1995 from the US Army Corps of Engineers (Natick Labs) where he worked as a carpenter and locksmith. Charles will be sadly missed. Of Seabrook, NH, formerly Everett, age 83 on March 4. Beloved husband Marjorie (Cummings). Loving father of Samuel DiCicco III and his wife Traice (Eskholme), Paul DiCicco and his wife Donna (Logan), James DiCicco and his fi ancé Kari Lawrence and Rose M. DiCicco and her boyfriend Lawrence Russo. The son of the late Samuel DiCicco Sr. and Florence (Lassard). Brother of Sebastian DiCicco, Mary Lou Ciampa and Rose M. Tobin. Proud grandfather of fi ve grandchildren: Samuel DiCicco IV, Mathew DiCicco, Scott DiCicco, Josh Spada and Victoria Rose DiCicco and 3 great grandchildren: Gia DiCicco, Cameron DiCicco and Ellie DiCicco. Uncle to Donna Rivers and Stephen Rivers. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Velleca & Daughter, Inc. Is Your Home & Garden Ready For Spring? Residential & Commerical Construction * Landscape Construction * Walls * Patios * Foundations * Pressure Release Systems * Mold Remediation * Stucco Application * Downspout Drainage * Vapor Barriers * Concrete Floor Painting * Foundation Crack Repair * Pump & Battery Backup (617) 594-3547 Charles J. Palumbo OBITUARIES Samuel DiCicco, Jr. After graduating Everett Vocational School, he worked for Mobil Oil as a Doc Worker. Samuel loved local politics and held signs for many years for councilman Wayne Matwesky. Served in the United States Army as a cook. Loved watching the New England Patriots and Everett High football games. Samuel enjoyed going to the racetrack and Mohegan Sun. Of Everett on March 12. Beloved wife of Sebastiano. Loving mother of Renato Tolu and his wife Theresa, Mary Celli and her husband Scott and Robert Tolu and his wife Anastasia. Loving sister of Giuseppe Pucci and the late Cesare and Guglielmo Pucci and Marietta Tolisano. She is survived by her six cherished grandchildren: Marisa, Luca, Ryan, Alec, Liana and Leo. Angelina (Carpenito) Ragucci Of Everett, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 15, 2020 in OBITUARIES | SEE PAGE 19
19 Publizr Home