Dr Ade Faponle, a Neurologist with the Department of Medicine, Renal Care Centre, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), has advised Nigerians to get screened to prevent kidney diseases.
Faponle gave the advice on Thursday in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the celebration of Word Kidney Day in Ilorin.
This year’s theme is: “Kidney health for every one everywhere”.
The nephrologist said that experts from the Department of Medicine would offer free screening for people at Mandate markets in Ilorin, which involve blood sugar, blood pressure and urine tests.
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According to him, cases that require further medical attention from tests conducted at Mandate markets will be referred to the UITH.
He explained that screening for kidney disease involve urine tests and checks for protein in the urine, which can be a sign of kidney disease.
He said that many problems of the kidney is diagnosed through the urine, warning that excessive urine is a sign of trouble and that when the filters in the kidneys are damaged, protein leaks into the urine.
Faponle noted that kidney disease is progressive and multi systemic in its manifestation, adding that the body can get swollen and needs a definitive diagnostics.
Besides, the expert advised Nigerians to take preventive measures against kidney disease, as it is financially draining while the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is not well regulated to cover the six session of dialysis.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs Titi Segun-Agboola, Principal, School of Post Basic Nursing, UITH, warns people against consumption of alcohol, saying that the consequences of taking alcohol outweigh the benefit.
“Kidney disease can affect anybody including children, and risk factors that predispose to this disease includes infection, diabetes and hypertension, and working class people are more at risk, because of living a sedentary life and consumption of alcohol,” she said.
She observed that Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) situation is a global problem, and that it is sixth fastest growing cause of death in the world.
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The Principal of the Post Basic School of Nursing, Mrs Titi Segun-Agboola, explained that the body uses kidney organ to cleanse the blood, while likening it to the “environmental sanitation of the organ of the body”.
She explained that indiscriminate use of analgesic and herbs popularly known as ‘agbo’, or cocktail of analgesic is bad for the kidney.
Segun-Agboola urged people to be physically active so as to prevent obesity and also cut down on sugar and salt, saying “prevention is better than cure”.
She also advised people to avoid smoking, consume plenty of water and eat lots of fruits. (NAN)
