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As at 2016, 17,000 Kidney Failure cases were recorded in Nigeria. As at 2018, 25,000 cases were recorded. An 8,000 jump in cases in just 2 years! 18, 000 need dialysis yearly. Only 160 Nephrologists, less than one per 1m population. About N400, 000 needed for dialysis monthly
This statistics by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN), also reveals that majority of sufferers are of the working-age population, with the condition resulting in loss of jobs and poverty. If these facts don’t sober you up, then I don’t know what will!
Please spread the word among your friends, family and other WhatsApp groups. You just would never know!
What are kidneys?
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in the renal system. They help the body pass waste as urine. They also help filter blood before sending it back to the heart.
Healthy kidneys filter about a half cup of blood every minute, removing wastes and extra water to make urine. The urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes of muscle called ureters, one on each side of your bladder. Your bladder stores urine. Your kidneys, ureters, and bladder are part of your urinary tract.
According to Nephrologist Frank Osakwe, as quoted in an article in The Guardian on 04 March 2018, 25m Nigerians have kidney failure.
18, 000 need dialysis yearly. Only 160 nephrologists, less than one per 1m population. About N400, 000 needed for dialysis monthly.
This statistics calls for sober reflection as 25 million Nigerians is actually 13.9 per cent of the 180 million population size. These people have kidney failure- a condition where the kidney can no longer work without dialysis or transplant.
This statistics by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN), also reveals that majority of sufferers are of the working-age population, with the condition resulting in loss of jobs and poverty.
Information from NAN showed that the condition not only gulps huge sums of money for treatment, it also leaves the sufferers constantly tired, in pain and at risk of death.
[10:08, 9/8/2019] Aunty Biodun Cp: The major cause of kidney failure in women in Nigeria according to Dr. Bamgboye, are hypertension, diabetes and chronic renal nephritis (inflammation of the kidney), which has not been well controlled.
Also, complications arising from pregnancy are said to increase the risk of kidney diseases in women.
“Once you cross 40 years, it is advisable to always go for simple examinations such as blood pressure, blood sugar, urine tests for infections, proteins etc,” he advised women.
“Quite a number of patients we see have topical nephroposis, which is as a result of use of native herbs. Many of the things that cause kidney failure can be treated if detected early. Unfortunately majority of patients with kidney failure present late at the stage, where they need dialysis. There is need to avoid things like bleaching cream, the abuse of analgesic, non steroid drugs and native herbs.” Ô&
The nephrologist called on government to focus on health education, early detection and prevention of the disease.
“Also there is need for a screening programme, provision of facilities to make sure that the condition are managed, with affordable cost of treatment. The NHIS can cover more free sessions, from three to thirty six session (three months), while government ensures adequate monitoring of the treatment programme. There is need to reduce the cost of kidney drugs by removing import duties on them,” he added.
Yes. The kidneys do a lot every single second
HOW DO MY
KIDNEYS WORK?
Each of your kidneys is made up of about a million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule. The nephrons work through a two-step process: the glomerulus filters your blood, and the tubule returns needed substances to your blood and removes wastes.
KIDNEY CONDITIONS
Because of all of the vital functions the kidneys perform and the toxins they encounter, the kidneys are susceptible to various problems.
Some of these conditions include: U+ Chronic kidney disease, U+ Kidney failure, U+ Kidney stones, U+ Glomerulonephritis, U+ Acute nephritis, U+ Polycystic kidney disease, U+ Urinary tract infections, U+ Caliectasis, U+ Acidosis, U+ Uremia, U+ Hydronephrosis, U+ Pyelonephritis, U+ Kidney cysts, U+ Nephrotic syndrome, U+ Azotemia.
The kidneys perform many crucial functions, including: U+ Maintaining overall fluid balance, U+ Regulating and filtering minerals from blood, U+ Filtering waste materials from food, medications, and toxic substances, U+ Creating hormones that help produce red blood cells, promote bone health, and regulate blood pressure.
WHAT IS KIDNEY FAILURE?
Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys lose the ability to filter waste from the blood sufficiently. Many factors can interfere with the kidney health and function, such as: U+ Toxic exposure to environmental pollutants or certain medications, U+ Certain acute and chronic diseases, U+ Severe dehydration, U+ Kidney trauma.
The body becomes overloaded with toxins if the kidneys can’t do their regular job. This can lead to kidney failure and even be life-threatening if it’s left untreated.
When it reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up in the body.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
1. LOSS OF BLOOD FLOW TO THE KIDNEYS
A sudden loss of blood flow to your kidneys can prompt kidney failure. Some diseases and conditions that cause loss of blood flow to the kidneys include: ª%A heart attack, ª%Heart disease, ª%Scarring of the liver or liver failure, ª%Dehydration, ª%A severe burn, ª%An allergic reaction, ª%A severe infection, such as sepsis, ª%High blood pressure and anti-inflammatory medications can also limit blood flow.
2. URINE ELIMINATION PROBLEMS
When your body can’t eliminate urine, toxins build up and overload the kidneys. Some cancers can block the urine passageways. These include prostate (most common type in men), colon, cervical, and bladder cancers.
Other conditions can interfere with urination and possibly lead to kidney failure, including: ª%Kidney stones, ª%An enlarged prostate, ª%Blood clots within your urinary tract, ª%Damage to the nerves that control your bladder,
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Signs and symptoms of kidney disease develop over time if kidney damage progresses slowly.
U+ Nausea, U+ Vomiting, U+ Loss of appetite, U+ Fatigue and weakness, U+ Sleep problems
U+ Changes in how much you urinate, U+ Decreased mental sharpness, U+ Muscle twitches and cramps, U+ Swelling of feet and ankles, U+ Persistent itching, Chest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart, U+ Shortness of breath, if fluid builds up in the lungs, U+ High blood pressure (hypertension) that’s difficult to control,
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT FOR IT
For diagnosis, tests like blood tests and urine sample tests are used to confirm a diagnosis. Sometimes ultrasounds are also needed to look for signs of swelling and inflammation in the kidneys and digestive organs. Ultimately, doctors are able to know someone is experiencing kidney failure by measuring their electrolyte levels, especially levels of sodium/salt, potassium and calcium.
Management of kidney disease or failed kidneys varies according to stages of disease severity. Once a diagnosis is made, kidney failure is typically treated in several ways:
1. ACUTE PRERENAL KIDNEY FAILURE
Insufficient blood flow to the kidneys can cause acute prerenal kidney failure. The kidneys can’t filter toxins from the blood without enough blood flow. This type of kidney failure can usually be cured once you and your doctor determine the cause of the decreased blood flow.
2. ACUTE INTRINSIC KIDNEY FAILURE
Can be caused by direct trauma to the kidneys, such as physical impact or an accident. Causes also include toxin overload and ischemia, which is a lack of oxygen to the kidneys. The following may cause ischemia: ª%severe bleeding, ª%shock, ª%renal blood vessel obstruction, ª%glomerulonephritis,
3. CHRONIC PRERENAL KIDNEY FAILURE
When there isn’t enough blood flowing to the kidneys for an extended period of time, the kidneys begin to shrink and lose the ability to function.
4. CHRONIC INTRINSIC KIDNEY FAILURE
This happens when there is long-term damage to the kidneys due to intrinsic kidney disease. Intrinsic kidney disease is caused by a direct trauma to the kidneys, such as severe bleeding or a lack of oxygen.
5. CHRONIC
POST-RENAL KIDNEY FAILURE
A long-term blockage of the urinary tract prevents urination. This causes pressure and eventual kidney damage.
Some diseases and conditions may lead to kidney failure, including: U+ A blood clot in or around the kidneys, U+ Infection, U+ An overload of toxins from heavy metals, U+ Drugs and alcohol, U+ Vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels, U+ Lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation of many body organs, U+ Glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the small blood vessels of the kidneys, U+ Hemolytic uremic syndrome, which involves the breakdown of red blood cells following a bacterial infection, usually of the intestines, U+ Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, U+ Scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, U+ Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a disorder that causes blood clots in small vessels, U+ Chemotherapy drugs, medications that treat cancer and some autoimmune diseases, U+ Dyes used in some imaging tests, U+ Certain antibiotics, U+ Uncontrolled diabetes,
U+ Being an older adult. Increasing age raises risk for various kidney problems, U+ Consuming an unhealthy diet or being very overweight or obese. A poor diet can result in electrolyte
imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, higher levels of inflammation and changes in blood pressure, just to name a few of the related negative effects.
1. CONSUME A KIDNEY-HEALING DIET
Kidney disease alters metabolism of protein, water, salt, potassium and phosphorous, and kidney failure makes all of this even more complicated. A healthy diet is absolutely key for managing kidney disease or helping someone with kidney failure to have the best possible outcome. A poor diet stresses weak or damaged kidneys and contributes to various complications like anemia, cholesterol changes, heart damage and bone metabolism dysfunction.
ª%Your doctor may recommend avoiding certain foods depending on your current nutrient levels, especially ones like dairy, processed meats, caffeine or alcohol, too much protein, and foods high in oxalic acid.
ª%To monitor intake of potassium, focus on eating whole foods like apples, cabbage, green beans, grapes and strawberries.
ª%Reduce your intake of high-sodium foods (salt) by avoiding packaged foods, frozen dinners, canned soups, fried foods, fast foods, and processed meats or cheeses.
ª%You can cut down on your intake of phosphorus by decreasing dairy (milk) consumption, legumes or beans, and nuts (especially peanuts).
2. DISCUSS YOUR MEDICATIONS WITH YOUR DOCTOR
Certain medications or even vitamin supplements may make kidney problems worse and may need to be discontinued altogether if they cause your problems. You can talk to your doctor about the potential need to change blood pressure, cholesterol, painkiller, calcium or other medications since these are processed differently once the kidneys stop working properly.
To help prevent kidney damage from occurring in the first place, it’s also recommended that you limit use of over-the-counter pain medications, alcohol and tobacco products.
3. IF NEEDED, DIALYSIS OR OTHER ONGOING TREATMENTS
Some need to receive dialysis treatments to remove waste, potassium and toxins in their blood. Temporary hemodialysis is sometimes only needed, but other times it needs to be continued for many years. Dialysis works by pumping and cleaning blood through a machine that acts just like an artificial kidney (called a dialyzer). Once cleaned, the blood is then returned into the patient’s body free from harmful waste. Both types of dialysis use cleansing fluids that either flow through a tube (catheter) into part of the patient’s abdomen to filter out waste or a system that flushes the patient’s blood through a special cleansing machine. Although a drop in blood pressure is a common side effect of Dialysis.
In some cases, kidney transplants are also chosen as a treatment option, which have a high success rate in general. The kidney can come from someone who died, a living donor, a relative, friend or anyone who legally donates a kidney to someone in need.
4. PREVENT KIDNEY DAMAGE WITH HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS
For anyone who has already suffered from kidney failure, Just remember to get a professional opinion if you’ve already been diagnosed with chronic damage/disease/failure because herbs and nutrients are metabolized differently once the kidneys fail, some may actually make matters worse.
However, for those who are looking to prevent further kidney damage, some of the following natural supplements may be helpful in keeping the kidneys and other digestive organs (like the liver) healthy.
U+ Magnesium: Magnesium helps prevents the formation of kidney stones. U+ Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 may help reduce calcium-oxalate levels. Vitamin E: Beneficial for lowering calcium-oxalate levels. U+ Cranberry extract: May reduce urinary calcium levels. U+ Aloe vera: Helps reduce urinary crystals.
U+ Lemon essential oil and helichrysum essential oil: May reduce the risk of kidney stones by supporting the kidneys and liver in detoxification. U+ Lycium Extract: has a major active component which plays a role on the defensive antioxidative mechanism in kidneys.
5. DO NOT SMOKE & CUT DOWN ON YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE
Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.
6. DO NOT TAKE OVER-THE-COUNTER PILLS ON A REGULAR BASIS
Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly.
7. GET YOUR KIDNEY FUNCTION CHECKED
If you have one or more of the High Risk factors ª%you have diabetes, ª%you have hypertension, ª%you are obese, ª%one of your parents or other family members suffers from kidney disease, ª%you are of African, Asian, or Aboriginal origin
This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.
(9) REDUCE YOUR SALT INTAKE
The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon & you get more than this in your food already). In order to reduce your salt intake, try and limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. It will be easier to control your intake if you prepare the food yourself with fresh ingredients.
(10) TAKE SUPPLEMENTS
That support Kidney care, beginning with a detox.
CONCLUSION
Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys aren’t able to filter the blood, leaving behind wastes and excess fluid.
Risk factors include a history of kidney problems, being obese, eating an unhealthy diet, or having diabetes, heart disease, anemia and bone metabolism problems.
Prevention and treatments for kidney failure or kidney disease include eating a healthy diet (which varies from patient to patient but controls electrolyte levels), avoiding exposure to certain drugs or toxins, limiting heart disease or diabetes risk factors, and using supplements. 0sRLt+D�AKL�
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