World Kidney Day 2021: How to avoid kidney failure – Expert

A clinical professional, Dr Nuhu Sule, on Thursday, advised youths against cigarette smoking in order to avoid kidney failure on World Kidney Day (WKD).

Over eight million people die from smoking every year, while over 1.2 million non-smokers die out of passive smoking.

Sule, who took the decision in an interview in Kaduna, as part of exercise to celebrate World Kidney Day, encouraged youths to adopt healthy lifestyles.

He said, “Smoking reduces blood flow in the kidney; it increases production of angiotensin II, a hormone produced by the kidney.

“It also narrows the blood vessels in the kidney.

“Smoking also damages arterioles (branches of arteries), forms arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening) of the renal arteries and accelerates loss of kidney function.

“In addition to reducing blood flow to the organs, tobacco smoking allows other toxins into the body.

“American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), studies have shown that smoking is harmful for the kidneys.

“It can cause kidney disease to progress and increase the risk for proteinuria, excessive amount of protein in the urine.”

Sule advised youths to take part in healthy lifestyles and choices to assist them prevent kidney diseases that might lead to failure.

He said, “You can help reduce your risk of kidney failure by making healthy choices, such as avoiding drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

“Smoking can seriously harm the kidney in a number of ways.

“It can increase the risk of developing kidney cancer, damage heart and blood vessels, leading to poor flow to the kidney and causing kidney damage over time.

“Smoking can affect the efficacy of medicines used to treat high blood pressure, hence uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney disease.”

The medical practitioner recommended medical check-up once a year for every person, regardless of whether they were sick or not, emphasizing that screening helped detect diseases in early stages and early treatment.

He further clarified that treatment of chronic kidney disease could help slow down the advancement of kidney damage, by controlling the primary causes.

Sule stated that the World Kidney Day was earmarked for an awareness campaign on the significance of kidney and decreasing the rate of recurrence and the effect of its diseases and health related problems.

World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed annually on the 2nd Thursday in March. At the start of this holiday, 66 countries observed this date in 2006. Within two years, this number rose to 88.

It is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of the kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

WKD is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

This day was intended to raise awareness about conditions of the kidney; although many are treatable, they are a secondary medical concern of the greater population.