At what age do the kidneys begin to weaken silently?

Nephrologists note that at a certain age, the kidneys begin to gradually weaken even though you may not be aware of it.

Dr. Harsha Mandadi Varadaraju, a nephrologist at Amrita Hospital (India), said: "The kidneys work silently. They filter about 180 liters of blood every day, control blood pressure, balance minerals, remove toxins, and help produce red blood cells."

Some warning signs of kidney disease include persistent fatigue, swelling, frequent nighttime urination, foamy urine, and uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Photo: PH created from GM

Kidney function naturally declines starting after age 40.

However, in many people, kidney function naturally declines starting after age 40. The problem is that this decline often occurs without symptoms. Kidneys may be failing without you knowing it unless you get tested, according to the Times of India.

The risk of kidney failure increases significantly after age 40, especially in people with metabolic or cardiovascular diseases. According to experts, diabetes is the leading cause, accounting for nearly 40% of kidney failure cases.

In addition, high blood pressure, obesity, fatty liver disease, or the habit of abusing painkillers for a long time can also damage the kidneys and cause kidney function to decline more rapidly.

A study published in the scientific journal The Lancet also showed that chronic kidney disease is becoming one of the fastest-growing causes of premature death globally.

Dr. Varadaraju explains: The danger of kidney disease is its silent progression. Most patients only discover the disease when symptoms such as swelling, shortness of breath, fatigue, or uncontrolled blood pressure appear – often at a late stage. By the time symptoms appear, specialized medical intervention is necessary.

What should we do?

Experts say that early detection of kidney disease is not too complicated. People over 40 should have their kidney function checked annually, especially if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease.

Dr. Varadaraju asserted that simple blood and urine tests can detect early warning signs before dialysis is needed. Therefore, talk to your doctor to request these tests, according to the Times of India.

Signs and prevention of kidney disease

According to Dr. Harsha Mandadi Varadaraju, kidney disease often progresses silently. Some warning signs include persistent fatigue, swelling, frequent nighttime urination, foamy urine, and uncontrollably high blood pressure.

To prevent this, experts recommend drinking enough water, limiting the overuse of painkillers, controlling diabetes and blood pressure well, and having regular kidney function checks after age 40.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sau-tuoi-nao-than-bat-dau-suy-yeu-am-tham-185260521071758767.htm