Chronic kidney disease has been identified as the sixth leading cause of death worldwide, with more than 20 million individuals in Nigeria suffering from various stages of the condition. This disease most commonly affects adults over the age of 40. CKD is rarely recognized in its early stages due to a lack of symptoms. The advanced stage at which it is discovered is known as End Stage Renal Disease. World Kidney Day is an annual global health awareness campaign that takes place every second Thursday in March with the goal of increasing information about healthy lifestyles, risk factors, and ways to manage with kidney illness. The day was originally observed on March 9, 2006, by 66 countries, which expanded to 88 in the following two years. The International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations formed a joint committee to organize this occasion. Health care practitioners, non-governmental organisations, and medical students develop initiatives or campaigns to educate the public about kidney functions, chronic kidney disorders, prevention and treatment, and how to stay healthy.
The theme for 2022 World Kidney Day is “Kidney Health for All,” with the goal of bridging knowledge gaps and enhancing kidney health through increased public awareness and education about kidney care.
The human body contains two kidneys, each roughly the same size and positioned in the belly. They are responsible for eliminating wastes, toxins or drugs, excess fluid from the body (by filtrating), and releasing hormones that assist regulate blood pressure, osmolarity, body pH, and so on. These wastes or poisons are all eliminated by urine.When all of the kidney’s functions are disrupted or destroyed, it results in ‘Chronic Kidney Disease’. The term “chronic kidney disease” refers to when one or both of the human kidneys lose function over a period of months or years. However, if one of the kidneys fails, the other may continue operate normally.
Globally, diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of chronic kidney disease. Another cause of kidney dysfunction is glomerulonephritis (infection or injury to the kidney’s small filters). Consumption of toxic herbal mixtures, also known as native drinks or “agbo” or when taken in excess causes nephrotoxicity (decreased kidney function as a result of medications and chemical toxicity), family history of kidney failure, and use of mercury-containing bleaching creams and soaps. Other factors include drinking dirty water, using analgesics excessively, and so on. During the early stages of chronic kidney disease, the majority of patients experience no symptoms. Unfortunately, the vast majority of patients with kidney failure present at an advanced stage of the disease with symptoms such as dark or bloody urine, persistent itching, frequent urination, particularly at night, a decrease in cognitive alertness, high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, swelling in the feet or hands, etc.
There is no permanent cure for kidney failure, but continual treatment, such as dialysis or kidney transplantation, is required to keep the kidneys functioning. Dialysis provides temporary treatment by removing toxins, waste products, and excess fluids from the circulation when the kidneys are unable to fulfill their usual job. On the other end, kidney transplant entails the implantation of another kidney, generally by a donor, in the lower abdominal cavity linked to the bladder and blood vessels. In most circumstances, the original kidneys are not removed; however, if the condition is severe, the person’s original kidneys should be removed.
Maintaining and living a healthy lifestyle is an effective way to lower the risk of chronic kidney disease. Eating healthily, limiting processed foods, fat-rich foods, salty diets, and alcohol, exercising regularly, and managing high blood pressure are all crucial. Patients with diabetes should maintain their blood sugar levels under control, and going for regular medical check-ups or screening (for early identification) are all ways to combat this condition and reduce the burden on one’s family or community. As a result, Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme should provide enough coverage for CKD patients, as the majority of dialysis patients use their personal income and savings, which leads them to sell properties, borrow, or take out loans. This, in turn, causes the patient to withdraw from the health-care institution due to the high expense of treatment, and the cost of receiving a kidney transplant is prohibitively expensive for the average Nigerian household.
When a trustworthy and suitable healthcare service is available, the chances of CKD being prevented, detected earlier, or treated increase. Governments, healthcare providers, and stakeholders should collaborate to close the information gap and provide the public with correct information about kidney care in order to lower the risk and burden of CKD in the future.
