AGEING EFFECT ON THE KIDNEY

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THE KIDNEY

AGEING EFFECT ON THE KIDNEY: The kidneys, essential bean-shaped organs, are roughly the size of a human fist. Situated just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine, they play a critical role in maintaining the body’s internal environment. These vital organs filter approximately half a cup of blood every minute, extracting waste products and excess water to create urine. The urine produced then travels from the kidneys to the bladder through slender muscular tubes called ureters, one on each side of the bladder. This intricate system, consisting of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, is collectively referred to as the urinary tract



FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEY

The functions of the kidneys are multifaceted and crucial for maintaining overall health. They serve as the body’s natural filtration system, eliminating waste substances like urea, creatinine, and uric acid from the bloodstream. Simultaneously, they help regulate the balance of water, salts, and essential minerals in the body. Furthermore, the kidneys play a pivotal role in hormone production. They secrete hormones that help control blood pressure, stimulate the production of red blood cells, and contribute to the health and strength of bones.


AGEING EFFECTS ON THE KIDNEY

Ageing has a significant impact on the structure and function of the kidneys. Both structural and functional changes occur over time.


1. Structurally, ageing results in a decrease in renal mass, particularly in the renal cortex. The glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidney, may develop sclerosis or scarring as an individual ages. These structural changes can have a significant impact on kidney function.


2. Functionally, ageing leads to a reduced ability of the kidneys to eliminate waste products such as urea, creatinine, uric acid, and toxins from the bloodstream. It’s noteworthy that even with the ageing process, only about one-third of the kidney’s functionality is required to maintain the body’s internal balance, a concept known as homeostasis.


3. The number of nephrons, the functional units of the kidneys, also decreases with age. Nephrons are responsible for filtering blood and producing urine, and a reduction in their number can impact kidney function.


4. The glomeruli, which are vital components of the nephrons responsible for blood filtration, are particularly susceptible to age-related changes. By the age of 80, approximately 40% of them may have lost their total function, and around 30% may not have a lumen (an open channel) to allow blood flow. Consequently, the filtration rate of the kidneys decreases due to reduced renal blood flow, often associated with a decrease in cardiac output as a person ages.


5. Medullary changes, specifically glomerulosclerosis, can result in the formation of a direct channel between the afferent and efferent arterioles. This adaptation aims to maintain medullary blood flow but may bypass the glomerulus, ultimately leading to ischemia and a reduction in kidney function.


The cumulative effect of these structural and functional changes results in the overall decline of kidney function as one ages. The size of the kidneys decreases due to reduced renal tissue growth, while the amount of extracellular fluid increases as cell mass declines. The arteries supplying the kidneys narrow as well. Both kidneys are required to function at their full capacity to carry out all normal kidney functions, making them particularly vulnerable to damage. Even minor damage to one or both kidneys can lead to a significant loss of kidney function.


In conclusion, the kidneys are vital organs that play a critical role in maintaining the body’s internal environment. With age, both structural and functional changes occur, leading to a gradual decline in kidney function. These changes highlight the importance of taking care of one’s kidney health throughout life to ensure proper filtration, waste elimination, and the maintenance of essential bodily functions.

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