World Kidney Day: Check that your kidneys are okay, says kidney expert

EXPERTS in kidney care have urged Nigerians to be aware of their kidneys and to check early that their kidneys are okay. 

They stated that this is important because sometimes with kidney disease, a person may not be aware that he has kidney disease but only discover it when the disease has reached an advanced stage.

Speaking after a market outreach by the adult and paediatric nephrology units of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in collaboration with private health facilities in Ibadan, Dr Debo Ademola said that in its early stages, kidney disease may not give any symptoms.

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“Unfortunately, the person may even die from complications of the disease. Whereas, if you pick it up early, especially chronic kidney disease, you will have time to modify the course of the disease.” he said.

According to him, some of the ways to detect it early will include detection of some of the common causes of kidney disease like hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

He stated that other risk factors for kidney disease include a family history of kidney disease, obesity, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and low birth weight at birth.

He said: “If somebody in the family has had kidney disease, then one should pay attention to it. Obesity has been associated with hypertension and diabetes. So, these also need to be monitored.

“It’s good for pregnant women to have adequate care for their babies because babies who are born small for their age have also been noted to be affected more by kidney problems. People should also be careful with abusing medications. They should be careful about what they put in their body.

“Generally, some children are born with congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract. So, they may have problems urinating because of blockages in the pipe through which urine passes. So, it is important to detect such congenital anomalies early. 

“Sometimes, ultrasound before pregnancy can detect some of those things. And when people notice unusual things, maybe the eyes are getting swollen, Coca-Cola-coloured urine, they should come to the hospital and get treatment.”