Chronic kidney disease can affect persons of all ages - but it has become increasingly common among older adults in recent years, experts say.

As many as 1-in-4 older adults suffer from chronic kidney disease or renal failure, according to a report published in November by the Journal of the American Medical Association.

This rise is likely linked to the aging Baby Boomer population, experts says.

Aging and unhealthy eating habits appear to be taking its toll on this group of Americans, the report says.

In addition to being age 65 or older, the top risk factors for the development of kidney disease are:

* uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension);

* uncontrolled diabetes, and

* a family history of kidney disease.

An analysis of federal health data published last November found that 13 percent of American adults - about 26 million people - suffer from chronic kidney disease. This amount is up 10 percent from the previous decade, the report says.

"We've had a marked increase in chronic kidney disease in the last 10 years, and that continues with the Baby Boomers coming into retirement age," said Dr. Frederick J. Kaskel, director of pediatric nephrology at Children's Hospital at Montefiore in New York City, in the article. "The burden on the health care system is enormous, and it's going to get worse."

Concerned about this rise, federal public health officials have launched several programs to bolster public awareness of kidney disease and to increase screening efforts.

The National Kidney Foundation has joined with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health to get the word out about kidney disease.

Jamie Gray, director of the Northeast Tennessee office of the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee, spoke at Roby Fitzgerald Adult Center about the Foundation's efforts to educate the public about this growing concern.

Gray works to coordinate fundraising and community education programs for the eight counties of Northeast Tennessee. His talk in Greeneville was sponsored by the Laughlin Health Care Foundation as part of the Passport 55 health-education program held monthly at the senior center.

Prevention and early detection of kidney disease are very important, Gray stressed.

"Depending on the stage in which you catch it, you can slow down its progression," he explained.

High blood pressure and diabetes are two leading contributors to kidney disease, he said.

If you have one or both of these diseases, then "you need to make sure you are monitoring them and keeping them in check," Gray said.

Persons who are at risk - or who have been diagnosed with kidney disease - are especially encouraged to stop smoking, lose weight, exercise regularly, restrict their diets, and, if necessary, control their blood pressure and diabetes with medication, he said.

When the disease is caught early, medication and lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure and diabetes can be extremely helpful in halting or slowing the progression of kidney problems, he said.

Such efforts, however, cannot restore kidney function that has already been lost, experts say. This is why prevention of kidney disease is so vital.

The trouble is that most people know very little about kidney disease -- and rarely ask their doctors about their kidney function, the journal article said.

Many individuals who have kidney disease feel relatively well until late in the illness -- although they may experience nonspecific symptoms like muscle cramps, loss of energy and poor concentration, the article said.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, the most common symptoms of kidney disease include:

* tiredness and less energy;

* trouble concentrating;

* poor appetite;

* trouble sleeping;

* muscle cramping at night;

* swollen feet and ankles;

* puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning;

* dry, itchy skin, and/or

* need to urinate more often, especially at night.

The Foundation recommends that persons who have risk factors associated with kidney disease or who may be experiencing any of the symptoms above to talk with their doctor about a kidney screening.

Gray said that his office is in the process of planning a free community screening in Greeneville later this year, possibly in April. Details of the event will be announced later.

Kidney disease screenings are scheduled at the Health Resources Center, located at the Johnson City Mall, on Feb. 18 and at the Johnson City Senior Center on Feb. 27.

Persons interested in participating in one of the upcoming screenings are asked to call 323-1650 for details.