The kidneys are tucked somewhere in the body, where they perform functions that guarantee our staying healthy and fit.
Essentially, the kidneys extract waste
from blood, form urine, and aid in other important functions of the body
such as balancing the water level, regulating the blood pressure,
regulating the red blood cell, as well as regulating the acid levels in
the body.
While the average individual is born with
two kidneys, the truth is that you can live on just one, hence the
possibility of donating a kidney to a needy person.
Physicians warn that because of the vital
functions the kidneys perform and the toxins they encounter as they
discharge their duties on a daily basis, the kidneys are susceptible to
various problems.
As scary as it is, experts say it is
possible for an individual to lose as much as 90 per cent of his/her
kidney functions without experiencing any symptoms or problems!
Continue reading after the cut....
Senior Consultant Nephrologist, Dr.
Devendra Agarwal, says the kidneys can lose their ability to function
properly when certain conditions are present in the body. Such dangerous
conditions can result in acute kidney failure and may necessitate
medical procedures to treat this all-important organ.
He warns that in case the damage to the
kidneys is enormous, the individual concerned may have to undergo kidney
transplant – an expensive venture, both in terms of money and lifestyle
changes.
This being the case, what are the things that can damage the kidneys and how do you prevent them? Read on.
Infections
Family doctor, Dr. Greg Akinduyile, says
certain urinary tract infection that is usually caused by the E. coli
bacteria may spread from the bladder or the urethra to one of the
kidneys, infecting it in the process.
He explains, “Bacteria enter the body
from the skin around the urethra. They then travel up the urethra to the
bladder. Sometimes, bacteria escape the bladder and urethra, traveling
up the ureters to one or both kidneys. Medically called pyelonephritis,
it is a potentially serious kidney infection that can spread to the
blood, causing severe illness.
Its symptoms include painful, urgent, or
frequent urination, back pain, fever or chills, feeling sick, nausea and
vomiting, confusion (especially in the elderly), blood in the urine and
cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
“What all these translate into is that
when you notice more than one of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to see
your doctor without delay,” Akinduyile counsels.
Sepsis
Beyond the urinary tract infection,
physicians say, a person’s immune system may be overwhelmed by infection
and result in inflammation and consequent shutdown of the kidneys.
According to sepsisalliance.org,
there are two ways the kidneys could be affected by sepsis. The first
is if the infection that caused the sepsis begins in the kidney, through
a kidney infection or a bladder infection that has spread to the
kidney. The second is if the cascade of events from sepsis causes the
kidney damage.
The portal adds, “In sepsis and septic
shock, your blood pressure drops dangerously low, affecting how the
blood flows through your body. The low blood pressure and blood clot
within the blood vessels contribute to the kidneys’ failure.”
Kidney stones
Akinduyile says while many things might
cause this condition, several factors may increase an individual’s risk
for the health trouble.
He says, “Kidney stones form when your
urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate
and uric acid than the fluid in your urine can dilute.”
He warns that dietary factors such as too
much salt in your food, high doses of vitamin D, intestinal bypass
surgery and several metabolic disorders can increase the concentration
of calcium or oxalate in urine, causing kidney stones.
And if you’re the type that doesn’t drink
enough water, be warned that people who don’t drink enough fluids or
who lose too much fluid can develop this painful, life-threatening
condition.
“The same risk goes for those who eat a
high-protein diet, those who are obese, and those who have gout; while
certain diseases and genetic factors may also increase your risk,” the
physician says.
Medications
Of course, if you need medicines for
whatever reasons, your physician will prescribe them for you. But then,
Akinduyile warns that though they are helpful, medicines are not
completely risk-free, and that’s why they should be used carefully.
Indeed, experts say long-term exposure to
some medications and chemicals may cause kidney damage or failure,
either directly or indirectly from dangerous increases in body
temperature and muscle breakdown. Such drugs include antibiotics, blood
pressure medicines, medicines used for cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS drugs,
and certain ulcer medications.
Others are illegal drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine; as well as inhalants such as solvents and aerosol.
They also warn that exposure to chemicals
such as insecticides, herbicides, and ethylene glycol, can also cause
acute kidney injury.
While you may not do without medicine if
you need one, you must learn to be safe with medicines by reading and
following all instructions on the label.
Again, ensure that your doctor knows
about the medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you take. And when
it comes to taking medications without doctor’s prescription – including
the over-the-counter drugs – be especially careful.
Finally, if you’re using over-the-counter
pain relievers, don’t take them for more than 10 days for pain or more
than three days for fever. Rather, the physician says, if you have pain
or fever for a longer time, you should see your doctor
People are also warned to avoid prolonged
use of analgesics that contain a mixture of painkilling ingredients
such as aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine mixtures in one pill.
And if you are taking analgesics,
increase the amount of fluid you drink to six to eight glasses a day;
while you must avoid drinking alcohol totally.
- Solaade Ayo-Aderele/Punch
Share your thoughts.....thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment