Stating that aging-related changes begin to occur in the kidneys after the age of 40 and this situation accelerates between the ages of 50-60, Medline Adana Hospital Nephrology Specialist Dr. Pınar Ergin said, “Considering how difficult it is to treat kidney diseases or disorders, the value of taking precautions will be better understood.”
Ergin stated that the ability of a person to continue his/her life in a healthy way depends on the protection and maintenance of the functions of certain organs to the maximum extent and said, “Our kidneys have a very important place among these organs that can be considered vital. Because our kidneys undertake many important tasks in our body. After the age of 40, aging-related changes begin to occur in the kidneys, and this accelerates between the ages of 50-60. Considering how difficult it is to treat kidney diseases or disorders, the value of taking precautions will be better understood.”
Ergin explained what needs to be done to protect kidney health with advancing age as follows:
“It is popularly thought that kidneys only filter blood and excrete harmful substances through urine. However, our kidneys also regulate blood pressure, secrete hormones required for the production of blood cells, and maintain water and mineral balance. They even contribute to the health of our bone structure by activating vitamin D in the body.
They are aging too
The development of the kidneys is completed no later than two years after birth, when they reach maturity and begin to function fully. In infants, the kidneys have little ability to concentrate urine and therefore infants are very affected by excessive fluid loss. After the age of 40, the kidneys begin to decline at a certain rate. The decline in kidney function in old age leads to a progressive decline in all purification activities of the kidneys. So much so that the values measured at the age of 80 are half of those of a young adult.
Urinary tract infections can be dangerous
The symptoms of urinary tract infection are the most specific of all kidney diseases. This disease is very common in the elderly, especially in men as enlarged prostate is a common problem. Kidney diseases in the elderly should be treated as early as possible and all existing diseases should be addressed. High blood pressure, heart failure, some infections in the urinary tract, and diseases related to metabolic disorders completely negatively affect the already impaired kidney health and accelerate the progression to chronic renal failure. In addition, it is very important that the doses of drugs to be used in treatment are regulated taking into account the age of the patient.
Regular checks should not be neglected
Symptoms of diseases that can cause serious problems in the kidneys (prostate enlargement in men, etc.) should be checked regularly and conditions that have a harmful effect on the kidneys should be corrected by being careful when administering medication. People over 65 are more susceptible to urinary tract infections. Changes in the bladder muscle, enlarged prostate gland in men and increased prolapse of the bladder and uterus in women play an important role in this. Due to the decreased capacity of the kidneys to concentrate urine, complaints such as frequent urination at night increase. In cases where there is a disorder that obstructs the urinary tract along with the infection, the obstructive cause must be eliminated in order to eliminate the infection.
Attention should be paid to the medications used
Especially after the age of 65, even if the urea and creatine levels in the blood do not change, the kidneys' capacity to clean the blood decreases. For this reason, it is very important for all individuals over the age of 65 not to neglect fluid intake and to reduce animal protein consumption. In addition, it is necessary to be conscious about medications that have a negative effect on the kidneys and not to act without consulting a doctor.”
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