Kidney diseases, experts say are silent killer. They may cause progressive loss of kidney function leading to kidney failure and ultimately required dialysis or kidney transplant to sustain life.
However, prevention and regular check-up are said to be the options to prevent kidney diseases.
Ade Faponle, a Nephrologist with the Department of Medicine, Renal Care Centre, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), spoke recently in Ilorin on the celebration of Word Kidney Day.
According to him, kidney disease is progressive and multi systemic in its manifestation, thus, the need for individuals to stay alert and watch for symptoms of kidney disease.
With the themed: “Kidney Health for every one everywhere”, Faponle advised people to take preventive measures against kidney disease, as it is financially draining while the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is not well regulated to cover the six session of dialysis.
Common symptoms of kidney disease he said are; swelling of face and feet, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pallor, weakness, frequent urination, presence of blood or protein in urine.
“Nigerians are enjoined to eat healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables to prevent kidney diseases.
“Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common and has no cure, so prevention is the only option. Early detection and treatment can often keep CKD from getting worse, and can prevent or delay the need for definitive therapy.
“Regular aerobic exercise and daily physical activity maintains normal blood pressure and helps control blood sugar. Such physical activities cut the risk of diabetes and hypertension and thus reduce the risk of CKD.
“Decrease intake of refined foods, sugars, fats and meats in the diet.
“For those above 40 years of age, consuming less salt in the diet may help in the prevention of high blood pressure and kidney stones.
“Drinking sufficient water (about 3 liters per day) helps to dilute urine, eliminate all the toxic waste from the body and prevent kidney stones,” he noted
He further explained that screening for kidney disease involve urine tests and checks for protein in the urine, which can be a sign of kidney disease.
Faponle added that excessive urine is a sign of trouble and that when the filters in the kidneys are damaged, protein leaks into the urine.
He recommended that, “if you love your kidneys and more importantly, yourself, do not forget to get a regular kidney check-up after the age of 40.”
Also speaking, Titi Segun-Agboola, Principal, School of Post Basic Nursing, UITH, warned people against consumption of alcohol, saying that the consequences of taking alcohol outweigh the benefit.
“Kidney disease can affect anybody including children, and risk factors that predispose to this disease includes infection, diabetes and hypertension, and working class people are more at risk, because of living a sedentary life and consumption of alcohol,” she said.
She observed that Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) situation is a global problem, and that it is sixth fastest growing cause of death in the world.
Segun-Agboola explained that the body uses kidney organ to cleanse the blood, while likening it to the “environmental sanitation of the organ of the body”.
She explained that indiscriminate use of analgesic and herbs popularly known as ‘agbo’, or cocktail of analgesic is bad for the kidney.
Agboola urged people to be physically active, so as to prevent obesity and also cut down on sugar and salt, as well as avoid smoking, saying “prevention is better than cure”.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
