The experts spoke with PUNCH Healthwise in separate interviews in commemoration of the 2023 World Kidney Day celebrated on March 9.
World Kidney Day is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of the kidneys and the need to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide
Aside from focusing on eating right to prevent kidney failure, the experts also noted that poor management of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and HIV could equally lead to kidney failure.
Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise, the experts, Consultant Physician/Nephrologist, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Zumnan Gimba, and Associate Professor of Medicine, Delta State University, Nigeria, Dr. Ogochukwu Chinedum Okoye also warned that some bad habits like smoking, using bleaching creams amongst many others could lead to kidney failure.
They stressed that Nigerians should begin to pay better attention to their kidney health by avoiding things that can affect the important organ.
Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise, Dr. Gimba explained that kidneys are shaped like bean seeds and are about the size of a clenched fist, adding that a normal individual will have 2 kidneys that often start working while the person is still in the womb.
Dr. Gimba noted that the kidney helps maintains a normal level of water in the body, adding that when a person has too much water, the kidneys remove them through urine production and when the level is low the kidneys reduce the frequency of urine passing.
The kidney, Dr. Gimba added also helps control normal levels of many chemicals that help the body function well, noting that the kidneys help in the control of blood pressure.
“Some of these chemicals are acids and other chemicals that can kill in an instant if their levels are too high. The kidneys also help to remove waste products. These could be waste products of food or drugs. It also helps in the production of important substances for the use of the body. An example is the production of vitamin D which is needed for bone strength,” he said.
Dr. Gimba explained further that there are two types of kidney failure – acute and chronic kidney failure.
He said: “There are two types of kidney failure. The first is acute kidney failure where the kidneys could recover when treatment is instituted early. The second is chronic kidney failure where the kidneys are damaged permanently.
“Acute kidney failure could be due to many things including loss of body fluids from things like excessive vomiting, diarrhea or bleeding, while for chronic kidney failure, the causes are many but the common ones in Nigeria include uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, and a type of disease called glomerulonephritis. In acute kidney failure, treatment could include dialysis for a time until the kidneys recover while in chronic kidney failure, dialysis is required for life, or kidney transplantation is done”.
He, however, noted that an individual can survive on one kidney, adding that some persons with one kidney often become more health-conscious and tends to do better in healthy living, though they will need to be checked from time to time to ensure they are doing well.
Also speaking with our correspondent, Dr. Okoye noted that the kidney is an important organ as it filters the blood and removes wastes and excess fluid which is excreted in the urine.
The kidney, she added, helps in producing blood, and takes part in controlling our blood pressure.
On the causes of kidney failure, she said there are numerous causes but also stressed that the commonest are hypertension, diabetes, infections (HIV, Hepatitis B, and C), glomerular diseases, and enlarged prostate in men.
“However, there are other toxins that can damage the kidney and they include smoking, drugs intake (e.g. prolonged use of painkillers called NSAIDS like ibuprofen, and diclofenac), using of skin bleaching creams, slimming teas, pesticides, and air pollution. Foods or drinks laden with artificial additives also put the kidneys at risk. It is best to take foods that are naturally made,” she said.
She said you can survive on just one kidney. “Absolutely. Only very healthy persons should be allowed to donate a kidney. If this is the case, then one kidney is sufficient to sustain life.
However, there are wrongful practices whereby persons who are not entirely healthy donate kidneys and end up with challenges later in life”.
According to a study published by the National Kidney Foundation, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease.
Source: healthwise.com
