In 2018, Ksh 1.76 billion was spent by the National Hospital Insurance Fund(NHIF) in the treatment of kidney failure among Kenyans.
During the year 2016/2017, Ksh 1.24 billion was used in the treatment of the same, meaning, there was an increase of 40 percent in the people who had contracted kidney related diseases.
Data by the Ministry of Health shows that there are about four million Kenyans who are suffering from a kidney related disease.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Head of Nephrology Unit at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Dr. John Ngigi, listed some of the everyday practices that could lead to kidney damages. They include;
1. Excessive salt
Excessive consumption of salt is also another factor as it causes water retention and leads to increased risk of high blood pressure which is known to damage the kidneys.
Using sodium in excess increases blood pressure because it holds excess fluid in the body which could cause kidney disease. High salt intake also increases the amount of protein in the urine which is a major risk factor for the decline of kidney function.
2. Junk food
Regular consumption of junks that many of us are fond of such as nyama choma, fries, sodas among others and preserved foods could lead to kidney damage due to the excessive use of chemicals during preparation.
A study done by Science Daily indicated that humans who consumed diets high in animal protein were three times likely to develop kidney failure. This is because the body metabolizes these proteins into acids which can hurt the kidney function if they remain at high levels in the body over long periods of time.
3. Abuse of alcohol
Those who are lovers of the bottle could be in more danger of developing kidney problems especially if done excessively.
This has been known to cause kidney dysfunction because it causes dehydration and contributes to problems that are high blood pressure related.
One of the functions of the kidneys is to filter out harmful substances and alcohol is one of them. Alcohol makes the kidneys less able to filter the blood and affects the ability to regulate fluid and electrolytes in the body.
4. Holding urine for long
This habit, which some of us do unconsciously, could increase the risk of kidney damage especially if you have a urinary related problem.
For example, when a person travels a long distance from Mombasa to Kigali while holding urine, it could cause complications like hydronephrosis which lead in the increase of urine pressure in the kidneys.
This could lead to back pressure in the kidneys that could cause renal failure.
5. Excessive and uncontrolled consumption of over the counter medication
According to Dr Ngigi, this practice could cause harm because these drugs belong to a group known as non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs which can be harmful to the kidney if taken in large quantities.
Most people buy painkillers from chemists without the drugs being prescribed to them to relieve the pain. In as much as their problems are sorted at that specific time, people that use the drugs excessively are at risk of getting kidney related diseases.
6. A sedentary lifestyle
Another factor that might put you at risk of developing kidney complications is a sedentary lifestyle, that is; sitting or idling for a long time. Dr.Ngigi stated that a sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity which forces the kidneys to work harder and filter wastes above the normal level.
7. Failure to take enough water
It is important to note that failure to take enough water could cause the body to develop kidney stones and urinary tract distractions which lead to kidney damage if not treated accurately.
There are many varying opinions on how many glasses a person is required to take in a day, however, health practitioners advocate for 7 glasses a day. Taking water helps reduce the risk of getting urinary tract infections.
Also, it is advisable to go for check-ups especially if there are family members who have kidney-related problems.
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