REPORTER: CHIKA KENNETH-ESONWUNE
A Nephrologist, Dr Okonta Nwawueze has advised against excessive alcohol intake,prolonged use of herbal remedies and abuse of over the counter pain medications.
The Consultant gave the advice at the Federal Medical Center Onitsha while sensitizing patients on the 2026 World Kidney day.
Dr Nwawueze who described the Kidney as central to human existence regretted that there exists a growing impact of non congenital chronic Kidney diseases in the country as a result of wrong lifestyles adding that protecting Kidney health requires a lifelong commitment to healthy living.
Maintaining that the Kidney performs vital functions in the body and deserves to be preserved and protected,Dr Okonta outlined some of the Kidney functions to include filtering of waste products from the blood,regulating fluid and electrolytes balance,control of blood pressure,production of hormones that stimulate red blood cells formation and maintenance of bone strength among other functions.
In a speech,another Medical professional Pharmacist Okosa Maureen explained that diet low in salt and saturated fats as well as reduction of processed food intake will help reduce Kidney strain.
She advocated for routine health checks and cautioned against use of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs without medical prescription and supervision.
Speaking on the 2026 theme,Kidney Health for all..caring for people,protecting the planet,another Medical Professional,Dr Uzor Ezeokoli reminded the people that the Kidney was structured to last a lifetime as it filters about one hundred and fifty litres of blood on daily basis emphasizing that most early renal failure are caused by wrong lifestyles.He listed other causes of renal failure to include
Insufficient water intake,intake of caffeinated drinks,use of harmful soaps in bathing among others.
Dr Ezeokoli encouraged Nigerians to exercise and imbibe other positive lifestyles warning that when the Kidney starts shutting down,very few people are able to maintain it as Kidney Dialysis, a component of kidney replacement therapy is expensive and stressful.
Contributing,a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Chief Medical Director of the Federal medical Centre Onitsha,Dr Mercy Anugwu explained that the aim of the sensitization was to make people understand that it is better,cheaper,healthier and more convenient to live with a healthy Kidney than to manage a failed one.
