Dominate the NBCE 2025: Unleash Your Chiropractic Skills with Confidence!

As individuals age, various physiological changes occur within the body, including alterations in kidney structure and function. One of the well-documented changes is the progressive decrease in renal mass. This reduction in mass is often attributed to the loss of functional nephrons, which are the filtering units of the kidney. Over time, factors such as glomerulosclerosis (the thickening and scarring of the glomeruli), vascular changes, and reductions in renal perfusion contribute to this decline in mass.

While it might seem logical to think that renal capacity, glomerular filtration rate, or overall kidney function would maintain or improve with age, research indicates otherwise. Specifically, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) tends to decrease in older adults, leading to reduced kidney function, and not an enhancement. Thus, recognizing that a decrease in renal mass is a typical and expected outcome of aging is crucial in understanding the normal physiological changes associated with kidney health throughout the lifespan.