A financially stable family is a step away from poverty with just ONE HOSPITAL ADMISSION ~ Dr O.B.A. Adesina
In Africa, bad policies have made poverty eat deep into the economy and it’s so difficult knowing the 3 popular classes of wealth i.e the poor, the middle class and the rich.
With this popular saying of mine:
A financially stable family is a step away from poverty with just ONE HOSPITAL ADMISSION ~ Dr O.B.A. Adesina
A disease like Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD)/Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) makes that saying very true.
In view of that, knowledge about such disease and preventive measures cannot be underplayed. This article is directed as a preventive measure. Therefore, both Acute and Chronic Renal Failure would be addressed together to aid easier understanding.
THE MENACE
Renal failure is the inability of the kidneys to perform it’s excretory function due to depression of the Glomerular filtration rate, thereby causing accumulation of toxic materials in the body system.
The failure further manifests with other signs resulting from further deterioration: Erythropoiesis-Anaemia (low red blood cells), Vitamin D hydroxylation, Blood pressure balance, Salt and water balance , and Acid base balance (persistent hypertension and body swelling from fluid retention). All these manifestations can be reversed if attended to early enough. Otherwise, it progresses to CKD.
Chronic Kidney Disease is a progressive irreversible damage and deterioration of the function of the kidneys. It is a condition that can affect both the young and the old with a wide range of risk factors.
I wouldn’t bother you with medical classifications but only intimate you with what you should be familiar with.
Do you know the cost of dialysis and how often you need the procedure if you compromise the function of your kidneys? If you do know, prevention would be your watchword.
Things you should know
•Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
•Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.
•Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best estimate of kidney function.
•Hypertension causes Chronic Kidney Disease and vice-versa.
•Persistent proteinuria (protein in the urine) is indicative of the disease.
•People with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney failure have a high risk of the disease.
•Two simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine.
FACTORS THAT CAN MAKE YOU HAVE KIDNEY FAILURE
•Hypertension
•Diabetes
•Old age
•Glomerulonephritis
•Inherited diseases such as: polycystic kidney disease which causes large cysts to form in the kidneys and damage the surrounding tissue.
•Congenital malformations
•Lupus and other diseases that affect the body’s immune system.
•Obstructions caused by problems like kidney stones, tumors or an enlarged prostate gland in men.
•Recurrent urinary tract infections.
•Indiscriminate use of drugs like Nsaids eg diclofenac, piroxicam etc.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CKD?
Most people may not have any severe symptom until their kidney disease is advanced thereby resulting in reduce Glomerular filteration and increased metabolites (urea and creatinine). However, you may notice that you:
•feel more tired and have less energy
•have trouble concentrating
•have a poor appetite
•have trouble sleeping
• have muscle cramps at night
•have swollen feet and ankles
•have puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning
•have dry, itchy skin
•need to urinate more often, especially at night.
What preventive care can be offered to your kidneys?
« Exercise : This helps keep your blood pressure in check (30mins almost every possible day in a week). « Adequate control of your blood sugar: A reasonable number of diabetic patient develop kidney damage Therefore, diabetic drug compliance cannot be over emphasized.
« Regular monitoring of blood pressure: Just as high blood pressure could cause a heart attack or a stroke; It is also a common cause of kidney damage.
« Healthy foods and weight monitoring: proper diets not only helps nutrition but also keeps vascular integrity. Reduce salt intake and reduce high cholesterol diets.
« Healthy water and fluid intake.
« Avoid smoking: This has a wide variety of effect on the body including cardiovascular -renal effects.
« Avoid indiscriminate use of drugs.
« Proper treatment of Urinary tract infections and sexually Transmitted infections.
« Avoid uncontrolled herbal concoctions.
« Avoid Alcohol as much as possible.
« See your doctor if you notice any of the symptoms above.
Check your kidney function as soon as possible if;
« You have high blood pressure/ hypertensive.
« You are diabetic.
« You are obese.
« You have a positive family history of kidney disease.
Detecting kidney disease early, may help us prevent kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
Prevention is our key!
Thanks for reading!
[fts_facebook type=page id=191003814715956 access_token=EAAP9hArvboQBAOxb4jdV2T2DxYZAiOqQskJUeaiJBoRwZBOosDtZALZBGTkEBOi7thhRyZAWajEXaCnpBtxaHwcTmd3ZBiNgDwBs1OFg28Ff6sF1bCo6yIUglnnFMOvtXTXCHFxroQvv71VxxcrZCYzIGKyO47AxZClobyT2icOn3QZDZD posts=6 description=yes posts_displayed=page_only]
Dr Oluwafemi B. Adesina hails from Ogun State, Nigeria and lives in Abuja.
He gained admission to Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in 2007 but left before the end of the program to badge an M.B.Ch.B. degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University.
He has passion for counseling, coupled with his undying love for human psychology.
He is popularly known as Obawinsome/Professor-X due to his is vast knowledge in sexual therapy. He has several awards and recognitions crowning his Leadership Qualities.
He is quite open minded with a vast use of sarcasm!
