Kidney health crisis in the elderly: How to protect kidneys scientifically?

As we age, the functions of various organs in the human body gradually decline, and the kidneys are no exception. The kidneys of the elderly have undergone a series of changes in physiological structure and function, which makes them face many kidney health crises. Understanding these crises and mastering scientific kidney protection methods are crucial to improving the quality of life of the elderly and prolonging their lifespan.

1. Symptoms of kidney function decline in the elderly

1. Decreased glomerular filtration rate: The glomerulus is an important part of the kidney, responsible for filtering metabolic waste and excess water in the blood. As we age, the number of glomeruli gradually decreases, and the filtration function also declines. Generally speaking, starting from around the age of 30, the glomerular filtration rate decreases by about 1% - 2% each year, and this decline is more obvious in old age. A decrease in glomerular filtration rate means that the kidney's ability to remove toxins and waste from the body is weakened, which can easily lead to the accumulation of metabolic products in the body, causing various health problems.

2. Decreased tubular function: The renal tubules are mainly responsible for reabsorption and secretion of glomerular filtrate to maintain the body's water, electrolyte and acid-base balance. The renal tubular function of the elderly is impaired, and the ability to regulate electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium is reduced, which makes it easy to have water and sodium retention, hypokalemia or hyperkalemia, etc. At the same time, the renal tubules' ability to excrete drugs is also weakened, which prolongs the half-life of drugs in the body and increases the risk of adverse drug reactions.

3. Reduced renal blood flow: The normal function of the kidneys depends on adequate blood supply. However, the elasticity of blood vessels in the elderly decreases, and the renal arteries gradually harden, resulting in reduced renal blood flow. This not only affects the filtration function of the glomeruli, but also causes hypoxia in the renal tissue, further accelerating the aging and damage of the kidneys.

2. Kidney health crisis faced by the elderly

1. Increased incidence of chronic kidney disease: Due to the natural decline of kidney function and the influence of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia that are common in the elderly, the incidence of chronic kidney disease in the elderly is significantly higher than that in young people. The early symptoms of chronic kidney disease are not obvious and are easily ignored. Once it develops to the late stage and renal failure occurs, dialysis or kidney transplantation is required, which brings great pain and burden to the lives of the elderly.

2. High risk of drug-induced kidney injury: Elderly people often suffer from multiple diseases and need to take multiple drugs for a long time, such as antihypertensive drugs, hypoglycemic drugs, antibiotics, etc. However, most of these drugs need to be excreted through the kidneys. Reduced kidney function slows down the metabolism and excretion of drugs in the body, making them easy to accumulate in the body, thereby increasing the risk of drug-induced kidney injury. Drug-induced kidney injury can manifest as acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis, etc., which seriously affects kidney health.

3. Frequent urinary tract infections: The immunity of the elderly is reduced, the defense function of the urinary system is weakened, and factors such as prostate hyperplasia (male) and pelvic floor muscle relaxation (female) have significantly increased the incidence of urinary tract infections. If urinary tract infections are not treated promptly and effectively, bacteria may retrograde upward, causing pyelonephritis and further damaging kidney function.

3. Scientific methods of protecting kidneys

1. Eat a healthy diet

• Control protein intake: Although protein is an essential nutrient for the human body, the kidney function of the elderly is impaired, and excessive protein intake will increase the burden on the kidneys. Generally speaking, it is appropriate for the elderly to consume 0.8-1.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. You can choose high-quality protein, such as eggs, milk, fish, lean meat, etc., and avoid consuming too much plant protein such as beans.
• Limit salt and phosphorus intake: A high-salt diet will increase the excretion burden on the kidneys, leading to water and sodium retention, increased blood pressure, and further damage to the kidneys. The daily salt intake of the elderly should be controlled below 5 grams, and attention should be paid to reducing the intake of high-salt foods such as pickles and preserved foods. In addition, phosphorus is mainly excreted through the kidneys. When renal function is impaired, phosphorus excretion decreases, which can easily lead to hyperphosphatemia and aggravate kidney and bone damage. Therefore, the elderly should eat less foods with high phosphorus content, such as animal offal, nuts, and dairy products.
• Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables: Fresh vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, which are beneficial to kidney health. Vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants can reduce oxidative damage to kidney cells; dietary fiber can promote intestinal peristalsis, reduce the absorption of harmful substances in the intestine, and reduce the excretion burden of the kidneys.

2. Moderate exercise

• Choose appropriate sports: The elderly should choose some moderate intensity and slow-paced sports, such as walking, Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, etc. These sports can promote blood circulation and enhance the body's immunity without putting too much burden on the kidneys. Avoid strenuous exercise, such as jogging and skipping rope, so as not to increase blood pressure and heart rate, which will increase the burden on the kidneys.
• Control the intensity and duration of exercise: The intensity of exercise should be such that you sweat slightly and feel a little tired, but you can recover quickly after resting. Each exercise time is generally 30-60 minutes, and you should exercise 3-5 times a week. You should do proper warm-up before exercise, and relax and stretch after exercise to avoid muscle strain and joint injury.

3. Use medication with caution

• Inform the doctor of medical history and medication: When seeing a doctor, the elderly should inform the doctor of their medical history in detail, including chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and the medications they are taking. The doctor will choose the appropriate medication and treatment plan based on the patient's specific situation, avoid using medications that are harmful to the kidneys, or adjust the dosage and duration of medication.
• Strictly follow the doctor's instructions: The elderly should take medications strictly according to the doctor's instructions, and should not increase or decrease the dosage or stop taking medications on their own. If you experience discomfort during medication, such as nausea, vomiting, back pain, decreased urine volume, etc., you should seek medical attention in time so that the doctor can determine whether it is an adverse drug reaction and take appropriate measures.

4. Regular medical check-ups

• Check kidney function: Elderly people should have regular kidney function tests, including blood creatinine, urea nitrogen, cystatin C and other indicators, as well as urine routine tests to check for abnormalities such as proteinuria and hematuria. These tests can detect changes in kidney function in a timely manner, diagnose kidney disease early, and buy time for treatment.
• Monitor blood pressure, blood sugar and other indicators: Hypertension and diabetes are important risk factors for kidney disease. Elderly people should monitor their blood pressure and blood sugar regularly and keep them within a reasonable range. If abnormal blood pressure or blood sugar is found, seek medical attention in time and receive standardized treatment.

The kidney health of the elderly faces many crises, which require our high attention. Through scientific kidney protection methods such as a reasonable diet, moderate exercise, careful medication and regular physical examinations, we can effectively delay the decline of kidney function, reduce the risk of kidney disease, and allow the elderly to have healthy kidneys and enjoy a good old age.