Diabetes, Hypertension Among Risk Factors For Kidney Disease – Nephrologist


Posted on: Wed 09-09-2020

A Consultant Nephrologist, Dr Stella Alagbe, has listed diabetes, hypertension and chronic glomerulonephritis as some of the risk factors for kidney disease.

Alagbe said on the sidelines of the inauguration of St. Raphael Divine Mercy Specialist Hospital Dialysis Centre, Ikorodu, Lagos. She said it was unfortunate that the cost of dialysis was really beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.

“Even though the country has come a long way now compared to 20 years ago when we had one or two dialysis centres in the country. Now we have several dialysis centers in the country, but unfortunately, only a few Nigerians can access them due to the cost. Most of the consumables we use in dialysis are imported, we really need some intervention from the government and other philanthropists.

“The risk factors are multiple, but for end stage kidney disease which is the commonest risk factors in our environment are hypertension, diabetes, chronic glomerulonephritis and a couple of other diseases. From the public health perspective, the most important causes are hypertenson and diabetes, especially if they are uncontrolled. If patients with hypertension and diabetes should take care of themselves, get appropriate treatment, make sure their conditions are well controlled, many of them will not end up with kidney failure.

“Smoking, the use of herbal medication and illicit medication go a long way in affecting the cardiovascular state of the patient as well as the kidney in the long run. Alcohol, for those who want to take it should be taken in moderation, but smoking of cigarettes should be avoided so as to prevent kidney failure,” Alagbe said.

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, at the inauguration of the dialysis centre said there was the need for establishment of more specialist health facilities across the country.

He said, “Kidney disease is  now rampant than it used to be and there is so much of money being spent going to India and different parts of the world for treatment. There is a great need for more specialist hospitals all over the country and I believe that this country is rich and well endowed enough in terms of people, professionals and  finances to establish that.”

Source: Punch