Today, March 10, 2022, is World Kidney Day (WKD). The World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee has declared 2022 to be the year of “Kidney Health for All”. Specifically, it calls on all of us to work to bridge the knowledge gaps to better kidney care. The kidneys are one of the most vital organs in the human body. The main function of the Kidney is to filter the blood and help in passing waste through urine.
Experts say chronic kidney disease is common and harmful. 1 out of 10 adult people worldwide are said to have kidney disease, and if left untreated it can be deadly. While early detection allows for disease care and management to help prevent morbidity and mortality, and improve cost effectiveness and sustainability, kidney disease related mortality continues to increase yearly and is projected to be the 5th leading cause of death by 2040.
In Nigeria, over 20 million people are living with kidney disease and no fewer than 20,000 of the number are coming down with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) yearly requiring dialysis or/and transplant to stay alive, according to medical experts.
They identified hypertension, diabetes and chronic infections such as hepatitis B and C, and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), sickle cell anaemia, painkillers, and bleaching creams as major causes of Chronic Kidney Disease in Nigeria (CKD).
A foremost nephrologist in Nigeria and member of the team that performed the first successful kidney transplant in Nigeria at Nicholas Hospital Lagos, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye, told The Guardian,
“First of all, this is a worldwide problem. It is estimated worldwide now that at the very least, 10 per cent of our population has one form of kidney disease. The estimate now is that 850 million people worldwide have it. We have found that this is even more common in our environment”.
Director General, Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Yaba, Prof. Babatunde Salako, said
“Since we know the major causes, all we need to do is create awareness around them to ensure appropriate treatment and availability of drugs to treat these conditions. Screening the population for the risk factors and controlling them among the population is very necessary and key to achieve prevention.”
Second Thursday of March of every year, people across the globe celebrate WKD to raise awareness regarding Kidney diseases. The main aim of the day is to sensitise people about the increasing number of kidney-related diseases across the world. The day also emphasises the need for different strategies to prevent kidney diseases.
Some healthy lifestyle that prevent kidney disease according to Medical Experts
1. Healthy eating habits and eating small frequent meals is recomended. Include vegetables and lean protein in diet. Reduce the consumption of sugary, oily, salty and processed foods.
2. Quit smoking or chewing tobacco as they can worsen the kidney damage.
3. Reduce the consumption of alcohol significantly to avoid any damage to the kidneys.
4. Regular Exercise is vital. Moderate-intensity exercises for at least 20 minutes every day for at least 5 days a week is recommended. Being active helps the body to utilise insulin and glucose better and improves blood sugar control.
5. Maintain weight
6. Control blood pressure and cholestrol to decrease the risk of kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.