By: Chetachi Ifeme
Experts in nephrology have advised against taking too much painkillers, concoctions and herbal medicines as it can be injurious to the kidney.
The experts gave the advise during an event to celebrate the World Kidney Day at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH.
Speaking at the event, Dr Pedro Chioma, a Consultant Nephrologist in UPTH and Senior Lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt noted that the kidney is the only organ in the body that is two in number both walking simultaneously.
He mentioned some functions of the kidney like removal of excess water in the body, removal of toxic materials including drugs that are consumed, production of Hematopoietic stem cell which helps bone marrow to form blood cells using nutrients that are ingested.
Dr. Pedro stated that, “in this environment, the most common cause of kidney disease is Hypertension, glominophritis, that is the inflammation of the kidney, diabetes, Nephrotoxin which is the consumption of herbal medications.”
Also speaking, Professor Ifeoma Anochie, a Consultant Paediatric and Nephrologist, UPTH and UNIPORT particularly, urged pregnant women to be cautious of what they consume.
She said: “kidney disease starts even in the womb, that is why we tell pregnant women to be careful of what they take as it can affect the development of the kidneys.”
She noted that the development of the kidney starts even before a woman knows she is pregnant, stressing that by the end of the third trimester, the kidneys are already functional.
“You see the environment is so terrible with so many radiation occurring, it might affect a pregnant woman and that affects the baby too such that the baby will not be producing enough urine,” she said.
Anochie posited that, “every male child must be examined and seen to pass urine well to avoid posterior urethral valve which is a disease that occurs in the male gender.”
She also advised that to address the issue of kidney disease, pregnant women should avoid taking herbal concoctions or any medication that is not from a medical doctor.
The medical expert advised that early detection of this disease gives the patient a better chance of survival.
A participant at the event, Anthony Tobeia expressed gratitude to the organisers for giving him and others the opportunity to know more about the kidney and how to care for it.
” I learnt that alcohol is not too good for the body and that herbal medications are dangerous to our kidneys,” he said.
