The rate at which younger age group is coming down with Kidney problems nowadays is scary & alarming!
_Kidney/Renal disease or failure is emerging as a worldwide public health problem_.
There r 2 kidneys, each about d size of a fist 👊, located on either side of d spine at d lowest part of d rib cage.
The main role of d kidneys is to _filter d blood to remove waste, control BP, produce red blood cells & keep bones strong_. When kidneys don’t work as they should, wastes & fluids build up inside d body.

*ENORMITY*, *HOW RAMPANT*
Kidney/Renal disease is fast becoming a public health menace with rising prevalence all over d world. According to Nigerian Association of Nephrologists(NAN),about _25Million Nigerians have kidney failure which gulps huge sums of money for treatment, leaving sufferers constantly tired, in pains & at risk of death_. And d number of Nigerians living with Kidney disease is far more than those with kidney failure 😔
There are several _forms_ of kidney disease; Kidney stones, Polycystic Kidney dx, Diabetic kidney, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney infection (e.g UTI), etc.

*WHO ARE THOSE AT RISK*;
You r likely to get kidney disease if U have 👇
– _Diabetes_ (poorly controlled blood sugar levels
– High _Blood pressure_
– Age _>60yrs_
– Overweight/ _Obesity_
– Family member with kidney disease, _familial predisposition_
– _Heart disease_ (stroke, heart failure)
– _Abuse of painkillers_(Aspirin,Naproxen,ibuprofen etc)
– _Native/herbal medicine/Agbo_…awon omo science students(Chemicals) 😃🤣😝
– Cigarette _smoking_
– Kidney injury in d past
– Sedentary lifestyle _physical inactivity_
– Complications arising from _pregnancy & childbirth_.
Kidney disease often has _no symptoms_ and can go undetected until very advanced & serious damage has been done.

*SYMPTOMS*/ *TELLTALE SIGNS*
*_Swelling in ur feet&ankle_
*_Too much urine or not enough urine_
*_Feeling tired_
*_Itching_
*_Muscle cramps_
*_Nausea & vomiting_
*_Loss of appetite_
*_Trouble sleeping_

*CAUSES & PREVENTION*
If d cause or risk factor is identified, we can slow or prevent progression to End stage Kidney Failure.
* _If U have Diabetic, ensure good blood sugar control_ because Diabetes is d leading cause of Kidney disease.
*If U have Hypertension, _ensure U have good a good blood pressure control_
*If U have family history, _check ur kidney regularly_
*_Watch ur weight_ : being overweight increases ur risk of DM, High BP which in turn increases d risk of kidney disease
*_Eat Healthily_: fruits, vegetables, low salt & sugar intake, low fats
*_Regular Exercise_ (30mins in most days of d week)
*_Drink plenty of water_ to get ur kidneys hydrated
*_Stop smoking_
*_Reduce ur Alcohol intake_
*_Prompt treatment of any Kidney infection_ (urinary tract infection,Glomerulonephritis)
*_Avoid abuse of over-the-counter drugs_ e.g overuse of pain killers/analgesics,
*_Avoid native herbs_ that can cause topical nephrosis, bleaching creams, pesticides, cocaine, etc
*_Regular check-ups_
_If one can detect Kidneys disease early, one may be able to prevent kidney failure. The only way to know how well one’s kidneys are is to *get tested* (GFR, Urinalysis, BP etc)_
_Early detection &treatment can slow or prevent d progression to End stage Kidney disease/Failure_

-Adebayo O. Shefiu