Indiscriminate use of drugs, herbal concoction causes kidney diseases – Nephrologists

Two nephrologists on Thursday in Lagos identified uncontrolled use of drugs and herbal concoction as some of the major causes of kidney problems, especially in children.

They spoke with newsmen on the sidelines of a free kidney screening organised by the Department of Nephrologists, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, to mark the 2016 World Kidney Day.

It was organised for pupils of Methodist Nursery and Primary School and Wesley Nursery and Primary School in Oshodi area of Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that every second Thursday of March is the World Kidney Day, and the theme for 2016 is: “Kidney Disease and Children: Act Early to Prevent It’’.

NAN also reports that no fewer than 600 pupils in the area benefited from the free kidney screening.

A paediatrician nephrologist, Dr Adaobi Solarin, said that uncontrolled use of drugs and herbal concoction were some of the major causes of kidney problems.

According to her, over-the-counter drugs and herbal consumption can damage the kidney because there is no dosage prescription for them.

“Diarrhoea, severe malaria and congenital problems, if not treated promptly, can damage children kidney.

“Take your child to the hospitals so that sicknesses can be controlled, don’t wait till it becomes worse.

“Expectant mothers should not only check the baby’s sex, try and tell doctors to help you check the organs too, and if there is any health threat to the baby, there can be prompt treatment from there,” she advised parents.

Another consultant nephrologist, Dr Theophillus Umeizudike, who works at LASUTH, said that children were the targets for 2016 celebration as kidney diseases were getting more rampant in children.

Umeizudike said that the initiative, being the 11th of its kind by the department, was also aimed at bringing information about kidney diseases to the grassroots.

“This event was organised to create awareness that early detection of kidney diseases does not kill.

“Children who are born premature and those with acute kidney injury may suffer kidney diseases later in life, but if screened earlier and detected, it will be treated promptly,’’ he said.

However, Umeizudike advised parents to avoid over-the-counter drugs and seek medical assistance whenever their wards took ill.

“Stop buying drugs yourself and stop taking herbal medicine, they can add to your child illnesses,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr Jacob Awobusuyi, another consultant nephrologist also from LASUTH, said that the screening was aimed at early detection of kidney diseases in children.

Awobusuyi said that early detection of kidney was the key to the cure and prevention.

“When this disease is detected early, it is treatable.

“When detected, we don’t operate it, we only give drugs which can stop further infection on kidney so that the children will not grow with such disease without proper treatment,’’ he said.

Head Teacher of the school, Mrs Omonijo Adeola, said: “I am happy that my pupils are being screened today.

“But, some parents still resist to sign the consent form being given to the pupils to undergo the screening.

“I want government at all levels to create more awareness on the need for people to go to the hospitals to know their health status.’’

Narrating her experience at the screening, Miss Mary Awosiju, a pupil of Methodist Nursery and Primary School, said that her mother was happy when she wanted to fill the consent form.

“My mummy was happy and she willingly signed the consent form and today I am here to be screened. I am very happy to know my health status.’’

Also speaking, Miss Adeola Martins of Wesley Nursery and Primary School, Oshodi, said that her mother joyfully signed the consent form for the screening.