Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped structures in the human body that filter blood and produce urine. The kidneys also remove waste products and excess fluid from the body, balance minerals and chemicals, control blood pressure, produce red blood cells and maintain healthy bones. Kidneys are vital to an individual’s overall health, so, it is necessary to look after them, keep them in good shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid complications. However, the lack of healthy lifestyle amongst individuals has led to many complications and subsequently resulted to failure of the kidney to function normally.
It is no longer a myth that over 20million Nigerians suffer from kidney failure. According to medical experts, 20,000 out of this number develops end stage kidney damage yearly requiring dialysis, a condition where the kidney reaches advanced state of loss of function. This causes changes in urination, fatigue, swelling of feet, high blood pressure, and loss of appetite. Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, is a medical condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste products from the blood, functioning at less than 15% of normal levels.
Kidney failure is classified as either acute kidney failure, which develops rapidly and may be resolved and chronic kidney failure, which develops slowly and can often be irreversible. Sadly, there are no obvious symptoms of kidney disease at the early stages, one might only start observing some symptoms when the kidney disease has degenerated to severe conditions. Prof. Phillip C, a Managing Director and Neurosurgeon at Chidicon Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State added that the inability of the government to properly regulate the food consumed in the country would lead to more deaths of Nigerians. He noted that the dysfunctional nature of the agency in charge causes Nigerians to eat just about anything and that is why Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods with high toxins that can damage the kidney are still being consumed by Nigerians on a daily basis.
From what he said, the GMOs contain dychlorophus and gysophate with toxicity capable of disrupting the proper functioning of the kidney as the excretory center of the body. He also noted that the toxins in them are strong enough to shut down the renal system thus leading to more deaths. He cautioned, “NAFDAC is supposed to focus on food and drugs however, nothing is done about the food so the ‘F’ is not working. They focus so much on drugs and forget that practically everyone in the country eats on a daily basis. For as long as they do not measure up to the standard needed to control and monitor food, more kidney failures and deaths will continue to rise in the country.” The professor went further to say that “until the Nigerian government’s agencies give the GMO situation the attention it deserves, the epidemic is likely to continue”.
Prominent Nigerians who Have Died of Kidney Related Issues
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing problem in Nigeria, presenting challenges to the nation’s health and economy. This disease, which knows no bounds, has affected several persons globally irrespective of age. In recent time, many prominent Nigerians and celebrities died in the cold hands of kidney disease.
The Popular Nollywood actor, Samuel Adesanya, popularly known as Pastor Ajidara, died in 2017. Mr. Ajidara, who was 62 years old, died of kidney failure. He passed away at Mercy Hospital, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, where he was receiving dialysis treatment. One of Nigeria’s comedienne, Mercy Cynthia Ginikachukwu, widely referred to as Ada Jesus, died in April 2021. The young lady had been battling kidney disease that left her incapacitated before her death. Three years after a kidney transplant operation in India, popular Nigerian music producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist, Babatunde Okungbowa, passed away. OJB’s kidney had completely failed since he was on dialysis to overcome the relapse before he gave up the ghost in June 2021. Handsome actor, Muna Obiekwe also lost his life to Kidney failure. Obiekwe, who passed on in early 2015 at age 36 was a darling of the movie industry and a rising star of unlimited possibilities. Chinedu Nwadike a widely known Nigerian Gospel singer died on 27 March, 2022 in Abuja due to Kidney failure. The list is endless and with the recurring incidents of death due to kidney failure amongst the rich and poor, it should really be a thing of great concern that we maintain healthy lifestyles, especially with regards to what we eat.
Causes of Kidney Failure
Causes of acute kidney failure include low blood pressure, blockage of the urinary tract, certain medications, muscle breakdown, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Causes of chronic kidney failure include diabetes, high blood pressure, nephritic syndrome, and polycystic kidney disease. Diagnosis of acute failure is often based on a combination of factors such as decreased urine production or increased serum creatinine. Depression is also common among patients with kidney failure, and is associated with poor outcomes including higher risk of kidney function decline, hospitalization, and death.
A paper titled “Kidney Health for All”, a consultant during the world kidney day, 2022 identified other causes to include indiscriminate use of both orthodox and non-orthodox drugs, obesity, excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. He added, “Sometimes Chronic Kidney Disease can occur as a result of complications from an inherited abnormality. For example, individuals with sickle cell abnormality can develop CKD.
Cure for Chronic Kidney Disease
Currently, there is no cure for chronic kidney disease (CKD), but treatment can help relieve the symptoms and stop it from getting worse.
Treatment of Kidney Disease
Treatment of acute kidney failure depends on the underlying cause and the stage of the CKD. Treatment of CKD includes change in lifestyle, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or a kidney transplant. Hemodialysis uses a machine to filter the blood outside the body. In peritoneal dialysis, specific fluid is placed into the abdominal cavity and then drained, with this process being repeated multiple times per day. Kidney transplantation involves surgically placing a kidney from someone else and then taking immunosuppressant medication to prevent rejection. Other recommended measures from chronic kidney disease include staying active and specific dietary changes.
Change of Lifestyle Needed
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet: this can help improve your general health and reduce the risk of developing further problems. A balanced diet includes the following:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Starchy foods such as potatoes, rice or pasta, wholegrain bread
- Dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt, cheese, soy milk etc.
- Beans or pulses, fish, eggs, or meat as a source of protein
- Low level of saturated fats, salt and sugar
- Restrict your salt intake
- Stop smoking if you do
- Do regular exercise- at least 3hours per week
- Limit your alcohol consumption or stop alcohol intake.
- Lose weight
- Avoid self-prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen except if prescribed by a doctor