Effects of Aging on the Urinary Tract

What Is a Urinary Tract?

The urinary tract or the renal system consists of organs that filter the blood, remove the waste, and expel them from the body in the form of urine. The urinary system is like a network of tubes connected with the digestive system and other organs of the pelvis. The mechanism of action of the urinary system is simple. The cells present in the human body use dietary nutrients to produce energy for their metabolic activities. As a result, some of the waste products are formed that are released directly into the bloodstream. When these products enter the kidneys, they remove the unwanted substances in the urine and send them out of the body.

What Are the Components of a Urinary Tract?

The organs comprising the urinary tract are listed below:

1. Kidneys (two in number).

2. Ureters (two in number).

3. Urinary Bladder.

4. Urethra.

The functions of the urinary tract are listed below:

• Expel toxins and unwanted substances from the body.

• The kidneys work at their full capacity to filter the waste products from the body.

• They also synthesize the hormone renin to maintain the blood pressure of the body.

• Maintain the levels of sodium, potassium, water, and other electrolytes in the body.

• Release the hormones responsible for the formation of red blood cells.

• The muscles in the ureters and the urinary undergo rhythmic contraction and relaxation to transport the urine to the urinary bladder.

How Does the Urinary Tract Work Normally?

The kidneys are one of the essential organs of the urinary system consisting of numerous filtration units known as nephrons. These nephrons form urine and contain a network of capillaries known as the glomerulus, which filters the blood. The arteries present in the human body supply blood to the kidneys. The process of filtration initiates when the blood flows from the kidneys to the glomerulus. The kidneys remove the toxins and other vital substances from the blood and send the following substances out of the body:

• Water.

• Waste ions.

• Urea.

• Creatinine.

• Other substances not required by the body.

These substances are transported to the urinary bladder through the tubes known as the ureters. Finally, these substances are expelled in the form of urine. However, the urinary tract works differently with aging. The organs change, and the overall efficiency of the urinary tract decreases.

What Are the Effects of Aging on the Urinary Tract?

The organs present in the urinary tract undergo changes with aging. Some of the changes are listed below:

1. Kidneys: The kidneys are crucial organs of the genitourinary tract. Their main role is to filter the blood and form urine. The kidneys consist of tiny blood vessels known as glomerulus. The glomerulus is present in the filtration units of the kidneys, known as the nephrons. The nephrons remove the toxins and reabsorb the essential nutrients from the blood. The following changes occur in the kidneys due to aging:

   1. The weight of the kidneys decreases.

   2. After 40 years of age, the rate of filtration of blood decreases.

   3. The kidney tissues decrease in number.

   4. The arteries supplying the kidneys become thick and narrow. As a result, the kidneys do not get a proper blood supply and work slowly.

   5. The nephrons decrease in number. As a result, the urine concentration decreases, and more amounts of waste products remain in the urine.

2. Urinary Bladder: The bladder is a balloon-shaped structure that temporarily stores urine. The following changes occur in the urinary bladder:

   1. The elastic tissues present in the bladder wall become tough. The bladder wall becomes less stretchy and unable to hold urine for a prolonged period.

   2. Weakness and bladder muscle spasms are commonly seen.

   3. The rate of urine flow from the bladder to the urethra decreases.

   4. The person might be unable to urinate after getting the first sensation.

3. Ureters: Ureters are tube-like structures that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder. The ureters remain intact and do not change with aging.

4. Urethra: The urethra is a tube near the urinary bladder. In elderly females, the urethral muscles become weak, and the bladder or vagina slips into the urethra. As a result, the urethra becomes blocked, resulting in urinary retention. In elderly males, the urethra becomes blocked due to the enlargement of the prostate gland.

What Problems Are Seen in the Urinary Tract Due to Aging?

There are a variety of conditions that affect the urinary tract and the organs present in it. The common conditions that affect the urinary tract with aging are listed below:

• Urinary Incontinence: The condition is characterized by urine leakage due to the loss of bladder control. It commonly occurs in elderly men and women because of decreased bladder function. The urine might leak during coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising, or lifting heavy objects. As a result, the patient needs to rush to the bathroom frequently to urinate. The condition can be controlled through exercises and medications.

• Urinary Tract Infection: As the name suggests, it is an infection that occurs when bacteria or viruses enter the urinary tract through the urethra. The kidneys, bladder, and urethra are most commonly affected, and the patient might feel pain, a burning sensation while passing urine, and several other symptoms. With aging, the ability of the kidneys decreases, and the patient might feel difficulty urinating. As a result, the urine remains in the body for a long time, and the risk of infections increases with age.

• Kidney Diseases: Kidney diseases are commonly seen in the elderly population. A protein known as albumin is present in large amounts in the urine of diabetic patients. Polycystic kidney disease is the most commonly encountered condition that directly affects the kidneys. The presence of multiple fluid-filled sacs (cysts) on the surface of the kidneys is seen in this condition.

How Should an Elderly Person Keep the Urinary Tract Healthy?

It is important to follow healthy bowel and bladder habits to keep the urinary system free from diseases. In addition, the following habits help to keep the urinary tract healthy:

• Stay Hydrated: It is important to drink six to eight glasses of water daily to keep the toxins away from the body. The major component of urine is water, so to flush out the waste products from the body, the person needs to drink a sufficient amount of water daily. Old-age people usually drink less water because of the fear of getting wet due to urine leakage.

• Healthy Diet: The diet rich in fiber, protein, and calcium is required to maintain a regular bowel movement to keep the urinary bladder healthy. A healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle play a crucial role in keeping the urologic system healthy.

• Wiping Properly: People, especially women, must wipe from front to back after urinating to prevent the bacteria from entering the vagina.

• Cleaning the Catheter: If the patient is using a catheter to drain the urine, he needs to clean it regularly. Discard the catheter once it becomes dry and brittle.

Conclusion:

The urinary tract is the drainage system of the body because it helps the body get rid of toxins and waste products. Aging has a significant impact on the urinary system because the efficiency of the organs decreases. Elderly people are more likely to suffer from urinary tract problems than young individuals. Sometimes, old age people tend to ignore the problems thinking that it is a part of the aging process, which is wrong. They do not drink enough fluids because of the fear of urine leakage. Aging affects the working of the urinary system, but the patient needs to take care of himself and maintain proper hygiene. Consult a urologist to know more about the effects of aging on the urinary tract.