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Tag: kidney disease

  • Kidney disease: why you should not take ‘agbo’

    According to the World health organisation (WHO), traditional medicine is generally available, affordable, and commonly used in large parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

    WHO estimates that about 80 per cent of the population in developing countries still depend on traditional medicine for their Primary Healthcare (PHC) needs; however, this percentage may vary from country to country.

    In Nigeria, many people, especially in the South-West region, believe and rely on local herbs for medication.

    `Agbo’, the Yoruba name for herbal medicines, is a concoction prepared from a variety of herbs and; it is one of the most popular herbal preparations taken for various ailments, especially by the native Yoruba people.

    It has also seen a lot of patronage and acceptance by other tribes too; Agbo can be soaked in water, alcohol or even palmwine before one drinks it.

    However, medical experts raise concerns on the after effects of taking Agbo, especially over a long period of time.

    One of such concerns is that it can damage the kidney and liver; also, there are concerns on its preparation which include the handling, dosage requirement for each ailment, shelf live and expiration date.

    Recently, at an event to commemorate the 2019 World Kidney Day on March 14, experts raised awareness on the importance of guarding against acts which can lead to kidney disease.

    The event which was organised by the Renal Dialysis Centre, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, saw experts also empahsising the need to reduce or even desist from consuming local concoctions, especially Agbo because of the possible resultant effects.

    Dr Chinedu Odum, a Nephrologist, said: “In this environment we talk about herbs and we hear many people say the take Agbo’’ or herbs.

    “They say the herbs clean their system but the truth is that this concoction people are taking, some of them have bad effect on the kidney. It can damage the kidney

    “It is a lot cheaper to prevent kidney damage because once you have kidney damage there is no going back; even those who are rich can’t maintain, afford or keep up with dialysis.

    “They can’t even maintain or afford to have kidney transplantation, not to talk of the masses who are not generally or financially equipped to take care of the disease.

    “So, we want to implore people to be aware of kidney disease but more importantly, to be more aware of the factors that increase the illness.’’

    However, Odum highlighted other causes of kidney disease to include high blood pressure which is the number one causes of kidney disease in Africa and of which many people don’t know that they have it.

    “Apart from blood pressure, diabetics and anyone who has long standing high blood sugar can come down with complications; one of the complications is kidney disease.

    Read Also: Dangote Foundation boosts Nigeria’s WHO certification

    “Also, bleaching; some of those creams have some components which can damage the kidney; they also have components that will increase the risk of diabetes and blood pressure.

    “The environment we live in is also very important; infection in this environment too contribute to kidney disease; so we have people who come down with frequent urinary tract infection.

    “If it is not taken care of, they can have chronic kidney infection which can lead to kidney disease and if that’s not channelled, we will be talking of dialysis,’’ the Nephrologist said.

    Dr John Okoh, Founder and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RDC, confirms that these concoction of herbs have negative impact on vital organs of the body, especially the kidney.

    He urged Nigerians to be aware of the causes and risk factors of getting kidney disease.

    Dr Nkem Achor, told NAN that one of the major concerns in consuming Agbo is that one cannot ascertain the dosage and expiration of the mixture, hence the tendency to either under-dose or over-dose.

    “People who take Agbo do not know when it becomes under dose or over dose and this can affect the multisystem functions of the kidney and liver, which are critical to the functioning of the body.

    “Also, it can lead to blood poisoning, gastrointestinal challenges, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia and even death, if mismanaged or not detected early.

    “However, one is not ruling out the efficacy of these herbs, but it is worthy to emphasise that if it is to be taken, it should be after thorough scientific research and approval.

    “Also, the preparation has to follow standard supervised procedure under hygienic circumstances with appropriate dosage requirements spelt out and expiration date written.

    “If these are not adhered to, people will continue to take Agbo indiscriminately; some may get lucky and be healed but a majority will come down with more debilitating and chronic situations which may be too late for hospitals to handle’’.

    Dr. Ebun Bamgbose of the Dialysis/Transplant Unit and Clinical Director of St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, in an earlier interview said that most of the kidney failures, also known as renal failure or end stage renal disease, could be linked to indiscriminate use of these concoctions.

    This is because the herbs are mixed with all sorts, including local gin and there are toxic substances in the unprocessed materials and fermentation.

    In summary, a research was conducted by Akande IS, Adewoyin OA, Njoku UF and Awosika SO of the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Nigeria.

    The research, “Biochemical Evaluation of Some Locally Prepared Herbal Remedies (Agbo) Currently on High Demand in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria’’, was published in the Journal of Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, affirmed the negative effects of Agbo on the body.

    It said: “Based on these findings, we conclude that though these preparations are potential sources of natural antioxidants, but majority of those being hawked on Lagos metropolis may be harmful to human health.

    “This is because many of the hawkers are likely to be quacks.

    “There is also a need for standardisation of dosage regimens and close scrutiny of pedigree of the peddlers of these herbal remedies by appropriate government agencies,’’ the research prescribed. (NANFeatures)

    **If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria

  • How to avoid kidney disease, by experts

    How to avoid kidney disease, by experts

    Simple steps like regular exercise and routine medical check-up can prevent kidney disease,  OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA reports. To mark The World Kidney Day on Wednesday, some experts gathered in Lagos under the auspices of an hospital to sensitise the public on the disease.

    Do you know your weight? Weight is not decided by climbing on the weighing scale but through a simple step of conversion: Convert your weight from pounds to kilogrammes. Your weight (in pounds) ÷ 2.2 = your weight (in kilogrammes). Convert your height from inches to meters. Your height (in inches) ÷ 39.37 = your height (in meters). Then calculate your Body Mass Index. The result will determine if you are overweight or even obese. If the result indicates overweight or obesity, you need to quickly do Proteinuria test to determine if there is protein-in your urine, so as to avoid kidney disease.

    Simple way of calculating BMI in metric is weight in kilogrammes divided by height in meters squared. Since height is commonly measured in centimeters, an alternate calculation formula, dividing the weight in kilogrammes by the height in centimeters squared, and then multiplying the result by 10,000, can be used.

    The Consultant Nephrologist at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Prof Fatiu Arogundade, gave this insight at this year’s World Kidney Day with the phrase ‘Run with the kidneys’, held by Cedar Group Hospital inFESTAC, Lagos. The theme was: Kidney disease and obesity.

    According to Prof Arogundade, everybody should do everything possible not to get their kidney damaged and it starts with avoiding its causes, and being vigilant on ones urine. “An end stage kidney failure does not occur suddenly, but gradually. If one is conversant with his numbers- Blood pressure, urine analysis, among others and keep his weight down, one can easily prevent kidney disease’’.

    For instance foamy urine should not be taken lightly, “A full bladder can make your urine stream faster and more forceful, which can cause foam. The urine can also get foamy if it’s more concentrated, which can occur due to dehydration or pregnancy. Sometimes, the problem is your toilet but protein in the urine is another cause, and it’s usually due to kidney disease. Unhealthy kidneys lose the ability to remove protein waste and it starts to build up in the blood. The condition is often a sign of kidney disease. Healthy kidneys do not allow a significant amount of protein to pass through their filters. But filters damaged by kidney disease may let proteins such as albumin leak from the blood into the urine. So one needs to do Proteinuria test to be on the safe side. It costs less than a thousand naira,” said Prof Arogundade.

    He said kidney disease often has no early symptoms. One of its first signs is proteinuria that is discovered by a urine test done during a routine physical examination. Blood tests will then be done to see how well the kidneys are working.

    On how obesity causes kidney disease, Prof Arogundade said BMI under 18.5 – is considered very underweight and possibly malnourished, 18.5-24.9 – you have a healthy weight range for young and middle-aged adults, 25.0 to 29.9 – you are overweight and over 30, you are considered obese.

    Prof Arogundade explained that, “Optimal Body weight means the body mass index (index is used to determine if somebody is higher than normal or not). If it is higher than 25kg per metre square that is overweight. Optimal weight is between 20 and 25. If it is higher than 25, and still hovers between 25 to 29.9, we define that patient as being overweight. These set of people are also exposed to the risks of obesity. Those people with BMI above 30 as being obese.”

    And the connection between obesity and kidney disease?  He said, “In terms of renal failure, people that are overweight have metabolic syndrome like abdominal obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose or diabetes, hyper lipidemia coupled with hypertension. Presence of three or more of these conditions in an individual prone the person to kidney disease, the risk is higher in them than a normal individual. So people that are overweight should watch it and bring down their weight to optimal body weight of achieving a BMI of less than 25kg per metre square.”

    To a question on if there is rising cases of kidney disease in the country, Prof Arogundade said the seeming increase in kidney cases incidence in Nigeria is due to increase in awareness and increase in kidney disease cases. “The percentage over the years is still the eight percent we talk of globally. Those that presented to the hospital in community studies across the country are high, ranging from 18 percent of the population to 20 and 26. This is an indication that that kidney disease may be increasing in prevalence in our communities,” he stated.

    He advised that to beat down on being overweight or obesity, one should exercise, diet, and avoid excess salt and alcoholic drink.

    State of transplant

    Prof Arogundade said there are options of dialysis for anybody with kidney disease that cannot be reversed. And should there be need for kidney transplantation, Prof Arogundade said one needs not travel overseas because same is available in the country. St Nicholas Hospital has done about 70 percent of the total number of kidney transplants in Nigeria. A new entrant, Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja has done over 50 cases in about two years. Government hospitals doing transplants are not doing well because of financial muscle of the patients, i.e. affordability challenge. Many of the time, the patients aren’t able to sustain the treatment. Those that patronise the private hospitals are rich, while some are supported by NHIS. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital still transplants fairly regularly, UCH less than a month ago did, like wise OAUTHC but the frequency is a little lower in these hospitals, but with improved government support there will be more transplants.

    On life after kidney transplant, Prof Arogundade told The Nation that Transplant Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Association of Nephrology (NAN) are working round the clock to bring down the cost of post immune suppressive drugs. “Recently, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole who chaired our conference held at OAUTHC re-echoed government’s feeling of concern of Nigerians dying of kidney failure, so he said by next year, post immune suppressive drugs for kidney patients transplanted in Nigeria will be free. Once this is available, the number of people using expired or near expiry immune suppressive drugs post transplant will be addressed. In countries that are not as rich as Nigeria like Sudan, Egypt post suppressive transplant drugs are absolutely free,” he stated.

    Co-founder/Director Cedar Group Hospital,  Mrs Elizabeth Adamma Akpabio said the hospital can assist people with kidney disease get back their life because, “We’ve been in existence since 2001, as part of our corporate social responsibility, we’ve been holding this lecture annually for three years to create awareness about kidney diseases in the community. The incidence of Kidney disease is so high and rampant that we resolved to embark on enlightenment campaign on causes, preventive measures and how to handle by way of knowing where to go for further assessment once the symptoms are there. Our simple intervention through this way has saved a lot of people by reversing their kidney disease status, and others undergoing dialysis or transplant. Some of these people have also gone ahead to spread the information in their abode and places of work as a result of getting the right information through us.”

    She added:  “We are happy to be in Nigeria operating fully. We are playing a big role by what we are doing thereby reducing medical tourism. India and Dubai come to mind once people want to have surgical intervention but it is mostly Nigerians that are there as the medics. So we are proud that we have good hands here in our hospital, and in the country such as the renowned nephrologists, Prof Fatiu Arogundade. He is  usually invited overseas to give lectures and perform transplants. So if we have him here in our midst, why then do we need to go out there? Here is cheaper. There is no need for flight for the patient and accompanied relations, or instability with a new environment, also family are around to give their support, so also free accommodation.”

    Consultant family Physician/Chief Operations Officer, Dr Chukwuma Ogunbor said Cedar Group Hospital was established in 2010, but the dialysis centre  came in 2011. “We are giving back to the community in form of creation of awareness on kidney disease which is a chronic illness. Our charges are surprisingly low compared with others. We do not want people to come down with any end stage, so checking blood pressure and avoiding obesity are some of the ways to avoid developing kidney disease,” he explained.

  • PathCare Laboratories advocates early diagnosis to prevent kidney disease

    PathCare Laboratories, Nigeria’s only International Standard Organisation (ISO) accredited pathology laboratory, has called on doctors to urgently send patients with symptoms of kidney disease to good laboratories for quality medical investigations. This, according to it, will help to improve their chances of good recovery.

    Executive Director of PathCare Laboratories, Dr Tolulope Adewole, made the call at the Guild of Medical Directors’ conference at the Eye Foundation Hospital, Ikeja.

    In his presentation entitled: “Laboratory support for diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease”, Dr Adewole said unlike most disease conditions, kidney diseases do not show symptoms in the early stages.

    According to him, “the importance of early and accurate diagnosis cannot be over emphasised in any branch of medicine, but renal diseases have a major need for this because symptoms do not show early in kidney diseases, thus making a case for urgent and accurate diagnosis to detect the presence of a kidney disease condition and commence adequate treatment immediately.”

    “Most of the ailments progressions to kidney failure are preventable if caught early. They include diabetes, hypertension, kidney cysts, tuberculosis, and urinary tract infections, especially in children. Other cases are Turner Syndrome, sickle cell anaemia, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), multiple myeloma, metabolic disorders etc.,” Adewole, a consultant chemical pathologist and metabolic physician, said.

    Dr Adewole described chronic kidney disease as progressive kidney damage based on findings of abnormal structure or Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) of less than 60ml/minute/1.73m2 for three months with or without evidence of kidney damage. “It is a global health problem, which affects between 10 and 20 per cent of adult population in most countries,” he said.

    Adewole informed participants at the conference that laboratory plays an important role in the diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic kidney diseases, as pathology has developed various tests that could detect abnormalities that point to renal diseases, using blood, urine and imaging studies. He said some of these diagnoses are very intricate and require quality laboratories and specialist’ attention to achieve accurate and reliable results.

    He said:“GFR decline, for example, precedes kidney failure in all forms of progressive disease and is difficult to be measured directly, but it is measured based on the ability of the kidneys to clear an endogenous or exogenous markers, which are examined (assayed) in the laboratory. This is why doctors are advised to refer their patients to quality laboratories only.”

    He further informed participants of the need for early detection of renal disease prompted by PathCare Laboratories to partner various non governmental organisaions (NGOs), pharmaceutical companies, research organisations, foundations and corporate organisations to provide quality medical investigations into kidney diseases. “We developed the Know Your Number card that contains a checklist of the indicators used in monitoring and managing kidney diseases. These cards could be accessed free of charge from any of the PathCare Laboratories office or www.pathcarenigeria.com. PathCare Laboratories offers the widest range of tests with over five thousand tests, ranging from the routine to the specialised. We are the first in West Africa and currently the only laboratory in Nigeria to achieve ISO15189 accreditation,” Dr Adewole said.

    The conference had in attendance chief executive officers of hospitals and medical facilities in Lagos and neighbouring states.

  • UNN teacher raises alarm on kidney disease

    UNN teacher raises alarm on kidney disease

    A consultant physician at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ifeoma Isabella Ulasi has called for regular nationwide screening to document the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the country.

    Ulasi, a nephrologist, said an effective screening project to cover all communities in Nigeria, similar to what obtains in countries like the USA, UK and Japan, would help check the rising cases of chronic kidney disease or CKD.

    In a 145-page inaugural lecture titled “Kidney Solution: Nature or Nurture”,  the medical practitioner submitted that a national policy framework carried out survey every five or ten years for the documentation of statistics on the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases, will go a long way in boosting government’s health reform plan.

    She said Nigeria should have a national health bill, which must have renal care policy and transplantation act inculcated in it, stressing that awareness campaigns should be embarked upon by government or non-governmental agencies to educate the masses on the importance of screening and periodic medical checkup.

    “Stakeholders at all levels, family heads, community leaders, local government, state and federal government should help to spread information on the dangers of the disease, since the world celebrates Kidney Day,” she said. “This platform can be used to our advantage.”

    The scholar, who has been managing kidney patients at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State since 1994, stressed that the campaign should target lifestyle factors that are within the individual’s control, as well as emphasize the importance of clean environment.

    “Use of herbal medications, self-medication and consultation of non-qualified medical personnel should be discouraged, individuals should be encouraged to have routine medical check-up at times appropriate for their ages, the present practice where people come to hospital only when they are ill, obviously does not work for diseases like chronic kidney diseases, hypertension and cancer”, the 95th inaugural lecturer warned.

    Ifeoma Ulasi, also suggested the establishment of well equipped primary health care units in every locality, adding that this was necessary to bring health care services nearer to the people.

    She continued: “provision of basic amenities that foster primordial prevention of diseases, such as good sanitation, facilities that promote healthy living-gyms, etc, and thereby improve health determinants in the society should be given priority”.

    While describing kidney diseases as a general term used for any disease condition involving the kidney that impairs in its function, the consultant physician explained that it could occur from a condition that affects the kidney primarily or from a condition that affects other parts of the body and secondarily affects the kidney, pointing out that it could also be acute, sub-acute or chronic, depending on its duration.

    The renowned researcher also identified diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cigarette smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, family history of kidney disease, being African-American, Native American or Asian-American as well as those up to the age of 65 and above, as some of the factors that might increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.

    She also stated that prolonged anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are also among the risk factors.

    The vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Chukwuma Ozumba, said that inaugural lecture was introduced in 1976 to encourage research and provide opportunity to the University professors to showcase their intellectual prowess.

    The vice chancellor, who was represented on the occasion by the deputy vice chancellor, Enugu-Campus, Prof. Ifeoma Enemo, praised Prof. Ifeoma Ulasi, for organising screening recently for the University Community, including the secondary school, and described the gesture as visionary and worthy of emulation.

    The event attracted the cream of the academia from within and outside the country, prominent among them were the chief medical director of Memfys hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu, Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam, two former deputy vice chancellors of UNEC, Prof. Peter Ebigbo and Prof. Bede Ibe, former provost college of medicine Prof. Basden Onwubere and current provost, Prof. Ernest Onwasigwe and Prof. Uche Magafu, a former provost college of medicine, UNN.

    Others were the dean of the faculty of medical sciences, Prof. Uche Nwagha, former deans of the faculty of health sciences and technology, Prof. Ngozi Onyemelukwe, and Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, Dr. Uche Agu and Dr. Izuchukwu Okam both of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, UNTH, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, traditional rulers from Enugwu-Agidi and Nnewi in Anambra State and the clergy, as well as the former chairman of Nigeria medical association, NMA, Enugu State branch, Dr. Obinna Onodugo, who read the citation.

  • Ugolee leads walk against kidney disease

    Ugolee leads walk against kidney disease

    Celebrated Nigerian broadcaster, Emmanuel Ugolee, in collaboration with the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation, recently held a walk against kidney disease to awaken the consciousness of the masses and the Government on the need to look into the ravaging scourge of chronic kidney disease, and the plight of those who live with it.

    The walk which witnessed a massive turnout of people from all walks of life, including showbiz personalities, medical practitioners, corporate Nigeria, kidney patients and donors, media personalities and well-wishers was proof that the call was heeded.

    Some entertainers who were present at the walk were Desmond Elliot, Monalisa Chinda, Audu Maikori, Modenine, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Sound Sultan, Yaw, Omawunmi, Praiz, Senator, Manny, Bobby Michaels, AY, Julius Agwu, Bovi and many more.

    During the walk, consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Adewunmi, spoke about the horrors of the disease, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. He emphasized the need for government intervention, whilst commending celebrities for their support.

    Audu Maikori, Desmond Elliot, Ebuka, and Monalisa Chinda; who spoke on behalf of the celebrities, expressed their willingness to keep supporting the cause, and celebrated their years of relationships with Emmanuel Ugolee, as they recounted his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry.

    Ugolee thanked everyone for their support. He also gave special recognition to Ghanaian Actress, Juliet Ibrahim; who does anti-cancer walks in her country, for her encouragement of his establishment of a Nigerian walk against kidney disease. He asked that dialysis be free in Nigeria, as it is in Ivory Coast. He announced the immediate commencement of a phase two of the awareness tagged “Talk against kidney disease” where he and celebrities who were unavoidably absent at the walk, would take the awareness to radio and TV talk shows.

    The broadcaster has been a Kidney patient for over three years.

  • Emma Ugolee, Juliet Ibrahim to walk against kidney disease

    GHANAIAN actress, Juliet Ibrahim has teamed up with Emma Ugolee, a former on-air-personality, who is battling with kidney disease for a Kidney Awareness Walk. Themed Walk against Kidney Diseases, the walk will be taking place in Lagos today, March 21.

    The two hour walk which is an Emma Ugolee and Juliet Ibrahim Foundation initiative, will involve the participation of celebrities who will take off from a designated point in Victoria Island to Cool FM office in Victoria Island, to shed more public awareness about kidney related diseases and ways to reduce their risk.

    Emma Ugolee, a former TV host with MBI has been battling with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for years now and revealed in a recent interview that he has been living with failing kidney for three years.

    Juliet Ibrahim is the founder of Juliet Ibrahim Foundation (JIF), a non-profit, non-partisan organisation focused on creating awareness on kidney cancer and providing necessary interventions to ensure a society free of such issues in Ghana and Africa at large.