Market scope note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the body to indicate which country it applies to.
The kidneys are known as a "silent organ." Even when their function has dropped to less than half, obvious symptoms often do not appear, making it difficult to notice anything is wrong. Yet kidney function naturally declines with age. Even without any specific disease, the glomerular filtration rate begins to fall gradually after age 40, and this change accelerates as one enters old age. That is why it is hard to simply assume that a parent is fine just because there are no noticeable symptoms.
🇰🇷 Korea According to the National Health Statistics released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (질병관리청) in March 2025, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among adults aged 19 and older was 6.3% as of 2024. However, the prevalence rises sharply with age, reaching approximately 25% among those in their 70s and older. In other words, roughly 1 in 4 people aged 70 or older is living with chronic kidney disease. 🇰🇷 Korea According to the Fact Sheet released by the Korean Society of Nephrology (대한신장학회) in 2026, the number of patients with severe kidney failure requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis reached 81,306 as of 2024.
🇺🇸 U.S. According to the CDC's "Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023" report, approximately 14% of American adults — around 35.5 million people — are estimated to have chronic kidney disease. By age group, the prevalence is highest among those aged 65 and older, at 34%. Even more concerning, 🇺🇸 U.S. 9 out of 10 people with chronic kidney disease do not even know they have it. This underscores just how important — and how difficult — early detection truly is.
In both countries, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of chronic kidney disease. 🇰🇷 Korea According to data from Seoul National University Hospital (서울대학교병원), diabetes accounts for 49% and high blood pressure accounts for 21% of the causes among patients receiving dialysis for end-stage renal failure. If your parents already have diabetes or high blood pressure, their kidney health warrants especially close attention. In the early stages, symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, and changes in urine output can easily be mistaken for other conditions. If your parent wakes up with puffy eyes in the morning or finds deep sock marks on their legs in the evening, it is worth considering whether there may be a problem with the kidneys' excretory function.
🇰🇷 Korea Experts recommend that seniors aged 65 and older, or those with high blood pressure or diabetes, consult a nephrology specialist if they experience symptoms such as foamy urine, blood in the urine, sudden changes in urine output, lower limb swelling, or fatigue. An eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) value below 60 on a blood test is already a warning sign, and it is advisable to check urine albumin levels at the same time. For those in high-risk groups, getting tested twice a year is also recommended.
Diet management also plays a key role in protecting kidney health. 🇰🇷 Korea The Korean Society of Nephrology (대한신장학회) recommends that patients with chronic kidney disease limit their salt intake to no more than 5g of salt per day and also regulate their consumption of protein, potassium, and phosphorus. Soups, stews, salted seafood, and pickled foods that frequently appear in Korean diets are high in sodium and can put a strain on the kidneys. That said, rather than restricting food without guidance, it is important to consult with a qualified medical professional and a clinical dietitian to develop a meal plan suited to your parents' specific needs.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, patients who have reached end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are eligible for Medicare (메디케어) benefits regardless of age. Medicare covers dialysis treatment three times a week as well as kidney transplant costs, and since 2021, patients with ESRD have also been able to enroll in Medicare Advantage (메디케어 어드밴티지, Part C) plans. 🇺🇸 U.S. Patients with ESRD can contact the Social Security Administration to enroll in Medicare regardless of their age or disability status, so families living in the United States are encouraged to make full use of this program.
Sources: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency National Health Statistics (released March 2025, based on 2024 data), Korean Society of Nephrology "Chronic Kidney Disease — Dialysis Specialist Fact Sheet 2026," Seoul National University Hospital medical information, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital nutrition guidance, Korean Society of Nephrology nutrition and dietary management materials, CDC "Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023," NIDDK Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States, U.S. Congress CRS Report (Medicare Coverage of ESRD), Medicare.gov "Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (2024)."
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.