Acute Renal Failure Ravages Younger Nigerians

A nollywood prolific actor passed on yesterday. So sad. Sadder still is that Muna Obiekwe, vibrant and promising as he was, was killed by Acute Kidney Injury (old name - acute renal failure). Acute Kidney Injury, AKI, was before now not so common among younger Nigerians (or maybe it was common but was never reported). Available data and first hand experience from my centre and other medical centres across the country seems to suggest that, acute kidney injury is taking out more and more younger Nigerians.

Acute Kidney Injury is an abrupt loss of the kidney function that develops within a few days.
There are basically 3 types based site of pathology;
1) Pre renal AKI
2) Intrinsic AKI
3) Post renal AKI

Commonest causes within our environment and age bracket of Muna includes, heart failure, liver cirrhosis (due to chronic alcohol consumption, hepatitis etc),renal artery stenosis, thrombotic events in renal artery and others.

Prevention of this condition includes getting a regular check-up for those particularly predisposed, early diagnosis and treatment, good diet, exercise, and proper health campaign for this increasing condition.

Do you have puffy eye just after waking up, or you are not passing urine normally (that is reduced volume or reduced frequency), or you notice your legs (or your whole body) is swelling? Then you must see a medical doctor fast because these are tell-tale signs of Acute Kidney Injury.

I truly pray that God grant Muna's family the fortitude to bear this loss. May his soul rest in the bossom of the Lord!!!