By Saheed Ibrahim,
Faith Adejiyan
& Ayomitide Alimi

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Medical experts have identified nonchalant attitude, low literacy and unhealthy lifestyles as the major causes of kidney diseases among Nigerians.

The medical doctors, who spoke with The Hope in separate interviews, harped on the need for more public awareness to reduce the prevalence of the life damaging disease in the country.

Studies have shown that about 10 percent of the world population were down with chronic kidney disease, while recent report in Nigeria revealed that about 20 million Nigerians have kidney problem, but majority of them either do not have money for checkup or treatment.

Reports on the disease showed that high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney inflammation, high cholesterol, kidney infections were causes of kidney disease.

Others are kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease, environmental pollution, unsafe drinking water and abuse of painkiller medications.

Reports have also shown that dialysis and treatment of kidney cost a lot of money, which had contributed to high mortality from kidney failure.

A foremost Nephrologist in Nigeria and member of the team that performed the first successful kidney transplant in Nigeria, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye revealed that 20 million Nigerians have Chronic Kidney Disease, CKD, and about 20, 000 have end stage kidney damage.

Reacting, a kidney specialist at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Dr Demola Akindahunsi identified some common habits that could harm the kidney to include not taking enough water, eating too much meat, smoking and taking alcoholic drinks.

“Drinking alcohol in excess can harm the kidneys. Smokers, who are heavy drinkers have about five times the chance of developing chronic kidney disease than people who do not smoke or drink alcohol in excess,” he stressed.

He suggested healthy food choices, make physical activities as part of  routine, aim for a healthy weight, get enough sleep, stop smoking, limit alcohol intake, explore stress-reducing activities and should try to take to all these measures.”

Speaking on the prevalence, a medical doctor at Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Dr Muyiwa Aderisola said kidney disease was a common problem affecting about 10 percent of the world population.

While stating that kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products, releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, Dr Aderisola explained that when the kidneys are not working properly, it could lead to build up of waste in the blood and cause them to fail.

The health professional further explained that people in their forties and above are susceptible to kidney related issues, with symptoms such as frequent urination, leg swelling, vomiting, bloody, smelly or foamy urine, among others.

He urged government, health professionals and other stakeholders in the health sector to create more public awareness and knowledge about the kidney and ways to protect them.

Aderisola also suggested frequent medical check-up on the kidney in order to promptly detect and manage any development that might damage the kidney.

“Primary health care physicians should encourage general public to adopt healthy diet and lifestyles; like access to clean water, healthy diet, tobacco control to maintain good kidney health and preserve kidney function longer.