See you all tomorrow, March 10th, at E-Centre, Yaba for our free kidney screening.

We will answer all questions.

Keep your kidneys healthy!

@Brite02, sorry, not at this time.

Will keep everyone posted when we take this outside Lagos.

By the way, Happy Birthday in advance! Wishing you lots of laughter and happiness!

World Kidney Day is 6 days away!

Join us on our walk to spread awareness about this common but treatable disease.

There is also a free kidney screening at E-Centre.

Schedule on March 10th:
8:00am to 10:00am: A walk from Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba to E-Centre, 1-11, Commercial Avenue, Yaba
10:00am to 4:00pm: Free kidney screening for members of the public consisting of blood pressure measurement, blood glucose measurement and urinalysis for protein

Are your Kidneys OK?

Don't forget to join us on 10th of March, World Kidney Day, for a free kidney screening.

Prevention is better than cure!

Nathan Kidney Foundation

@ Ofido, for now we are based in Lagos state. Hopefully we can spread to other states soon.

In the meantime, you can do a kidney screening at any reputable hospital or laboratory.

It consists of the following:
1. A blood pressure measurement
2. A blood glucose measurement
3. A urinalysis to check for proteins

The first 2 looks at if you have the risk factors for developing kidney failure
The 3rd one looks at if your kidneys are already being damaged as protein won't be found in urine if it is normal.

All the best

@reindeer, thank you for your comments. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

We do our best to educate; we distribute pamphlets, we've been on Classic FM and we will also be on Channels TV discussing this issue. We will never stop.

The commonest causes of kidney failure in Nigeria are:
1. Hypertension
2. Diabetes
3. Chronic Glomerulonephritis (a big name for the after effects of some infections like HIV, sometimes malaria, etc)

Other causes common in our environment are:
1. Chronic use of analgesics (pain killers).  Always see a doctor
2. The use of bleaching creams especially those containing mercury
3. Herbal preparations both local and international (food supplements). Even in China, home of herbal medications, they have a separate name for the kidney failure caused by this herbs and it is common.

The kidneys do a lot in our body and to show you how effective they are, one does not need dialysis or kidney transplant until their function is 10 - 15%!

Are your kidneys ok?

Q: How long can patients live with a kidney transplant?
A: The donor kidney lasts up to 10 to 12 years on average for Deceased kidney source, but 18 to 22 years for live donor source. However, the longest surviving transplanted kidney is about 45 years and this was performed between identical twins.

Q: What happens if the new kidney is rejected?
A: If the transplant fails the patient can be put on dialysis again until a new donor kidney is found.

Q: What are Some Possible Post-transplant complications?
A:
1. Infections
2. Delayed kidney function
3. High blood pressure
4. Weight gain
5. Rejection
6. Cancer

Q: What is Rejection?
A:
• Rejection is one of the most important concerns for renal transplant recipients.
• Your body's immune system protects you from infection by recognizing certain foreign bodies, like bacteria and viruses, and destroying them.
• Unfortunately, the immune system sees your new kidney as a foreign substance also.
• It could be acute or chronic and despite efforts to prevent it, it may still occur.
• Generally, rejection is treatable with medication and usually does not lead to loss of the kidney. Occasionally it does not respond to first line medication and there is need for second line medication. And very rarely the second line treatment fails and the transplanted kidney becomes irreversibly damaged and has to be removed.

Dear All,

World Kidney Day is celebrated annually on the 2nd  Thursday in March to raise awareness of kidney failure.

It is estimated that 1 in every 5 Nigerian has kidney failure.

If you know the state of your kidneys early on, you can slow the progression to End stage Renal Failure (the point at which you need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live)

Join us on March 10th:

Venue:  E-Centre Yaba
Time:    10am to 3pm

Pathcare laboratories will be partnering with us to do blood glucose test.

Remember, it is free!

Make the time now to participate and avoid spending millions of Naira later on!

@Brite02,

Many thanks!

Q: How long is the recovery period for the recipient after transplant?
A: The initial recovery time after the surgery is four to eight weeks. However, receiving a transplant carries a long-term commitment to ensure that the kidney continues to function. The recipient must be diligent in following the transplant team’s plan of post-operative care or the transplanted kidney may be rejected or lost due to other complications.

Q: Why does the recipient need to be on medications after the transplant?
A: Anti-rejection medications are designed to suppress, or disable, a person’s immune system so that the transplanted organ will not be rejected

Q: Will I be on medications for a long time after the transplant?
A: Transplant patients generally start out with six to eight medications in addition to their anti-rejection medications.
• By six months, they generally take two to three per day.
• Eventually, patients are required to take their anti-rejection medication for the rest of their life.

Q: What are the side effects of the medications?
A:
• Side effects vary from minimal and tolerable to more severe.
• Side effects are discussed with the recipient before and after transplant.
• Dosages and side effects are closely monitored by the transplant team and adjusted accordingly

Q: What kind of care and testing can the patient expect after being released from the hospital?
A:
• A patient's blood test and other lab results are monitored very closely in the months immediately after transplant.
• Patients must return to the clinic for routine follow-up, this is very important.
• The frequency of the follow-up appointments decreases as a patient gets farther away from transplant.

Q: What Happens During the Transplant Evaluation?
A:
• The transplant evaluation consists of a review of your medical records and a complete physical by the transplant team.
• You will have a chest X-ray and ECG.
• Blood work will be drawn for routine studies and infectious disease testing.
• You will be given information concerning the transplant process, and have an opportunity to ask questions.
• You are encouraged to learn as much as possible about transplantation before making a decision about having a kidney transplant.
• The members of the transplant team will explain the benefits and risks of transplantation.
• After your evaluation, members of the transplant team will meet to review your case.
• They will decide as a group if further testing is necessary before any decision regarding transplantation can be reached.

Q: How much does a transplant cost?
A: Again, this will vary from person to person but on average it costs between four million and five million Naira (N4, 000, 000 – N5, 000,000) in Nigeria

Q: Can I live normally with only one kidney?
A: Yes. Some people can be born with only one kidney and live a normal life.

Q: Is there anything I can do to better prepare my body for a kidney transplant?
A: To prepare yourself for a kidney transplant, you should try and be in the best possible general health. This includes an ideal body weight, watching your diet and exercising if possible.

Q: How long will the recipient be in the hospital?
A: The average hospital stay for transplant recipients is about two weeks. However, this can vary considerably from 10 days to three weeks, depending on many factors.

Q: What are the risks of having a kidney transplant?
A: The risks and possible complications of transplant are similar to those associated with any surgical procedure plus other unique problems peculiar to transplantation. Some of the possible complications includes;
• Infection
• Side effects of antirejection drugs
• Acute rejection
• Lymphocoele ( collection of lymphatic  fluid near the new kidney )
• Persistent hypertension
• Post transplant diabetes
• Post transplant cancer
These conditions can be identified by appropriate investigations and treated accordingly.

Q: Do I need to find my own donor?
A: Yes. Patients are encouraged to look for potential donors from among family usually first degree. If this is not possible, then friends can be considered but the donation must be altruistically motivated.

Q: Does my donor have to be a blood relative?
A:
No. A living kidney donor may be a relative or a person who is not related to the recipient. In the case of a non-relative, it is best if the donor has an emotional relationship with the recipient.

Q: How long do I have to find a 'donor' kidney?
A: There is no time limit to finding a kidney transplant donor.

Q: How do you determine if someone's kidney will be a match?
A: Donors and recipients are matched based on their blood type and whether the recipient has antibodies that would react with and damage the donor's kidney.

Q: What Does "Tissue Typing" Mean?
A: For your new kidney to work properly, you and the donor's kidney must be "compatible." To determine compatibility, three tests are done:
• ABO (blood type) Compatibility
• Crossmatch Compatibility
• Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) Tissue Typing

Q: Who donates kidneys for transplantation?
A: The sources for kidney transplants include;
1. A living donor
2. Non-living donor ( Deceased donor ) after brain death
3. Non-living donor ( Deceased donor ) after cardiac death

Patients who have had kidneys donated from living donors usually enjoy higher success rates than those who receive organs from non-living donors, since there is less chance for rejection.

Q: Are there age restrictions for kidney transplant recipients?
A:
• There are no strict age restrictions for kidney transplantation
• However, patients over 65 years must be in relatively good health other than the kidney disease for which they are undergoing a transplant.

Q: How will a patient know if he is eligible for a transplant?
A: There are several considerations that determine if and when a patient is eligible for a kidney transplant.
• Typically they will be transplanted when their function is close to 10% of normal.
• Prospective transplant recipients undergo a medical evaluation, to determine whether they can successfully tolerate the surgery and the concomitant immunosuppression.
• Generally, transplantation will not be considered in a patient whose underlying medical condition includes an ongoing infection, uncontrolled malignancy or an expected survival of less than five years.

Q: How long after I am diagnosed with Kidney Failure should I have a transplant?
A: There is no time limit to having a kidney transplant, some people stay on haemodialysis till the end of their lives. But if you are going to have a transplant, the earlier it is done, the better your quality of life.

Q: I have been diagnosed with end stage renal disease. Is there any other treatment besides a kidney transplant?
A: Dialysis and transplant are the only two treatments available for end stage renal disease (ESRD)

Q: What is the purpose of kidney transplantation?
A:  Kidney transplantation surgically places a healthy kidney from another person into your body. The donated kidney does enough of the work that your two failed kidneys used to do to keep you healthy and symptom free.

Q: Who is a candidate for kidney transplantation?
A: It is the treatment of choice for people with kidney failure who have been evaluated by the renal transplant team and found to be eligible for the procedure

Q: What is a perfect match kidney?
A:
• Usually, a perfect match is between identical twins, a brother or sister.
• The chance of getting a perfect match from a living-related brother or sister is higher than from other related or non-related living donors.

Q: Is a kidney transplant a good option?
A: Dialysis can be done for as long as it takes to find a kidney donor but the best long-term option is a successful transplant.

Q: Is it dangerous to skip dialysis?
A: Yes, this can lead to fluid overload and accumulation of waste products in the body. It can also lead to breathing problems due to a serious condition called pulmonary edema where fluid gets accumulated in the lungs.

Q: What is the cost of dialysis?
A: A session of haemodialysis costs on average N25,000 (Twenty Five Thousand Naira). For it to be effective, a patient should have 3 sessions per week, this will come to about N75, 000 a week! Which ordinary Nigerian can afford it?

Q: What are the possible complications of haemodialysis?
A:
1. Infection
2. Poor blood flow
3. Muscle cramps and
4. Hypotension—a sudden drop in blood pressure
You can avoid many side effects if you follow a proper diet, limit your liquid intake, and take your medicines as directed.

Q: What are the possible complications of peritoneal dialysis?
A:
• The most common problem with peritoneal dialysis is peritonitis, a serious abdominal infection. It requires antibiotic treatment by your doctor.

@holydante, no matter the amount of protein in your diet, you shouldn't find it in your urine. This is the same way that no matter how high your carbohydrate or sugar intake, you shouldn't find sugar in your urine.

Once your body is working normally, all food ingested is handled appropriately.

Your body is an unbelievable machine, use it well and maintain it properly

@holydante, yes we are a non-profit organization. You are also right that kidney failure issues cost a fortune.

There is no better situation where the adage "Prevention is better than Cure" fits.

To do a kidney screening on your own, the basic things you need to do are:

1. Blood pressure check
2. Blood glucose check

The above are the commonest causes of kidney failure. Once it is diagnosed, you have to start managing them properly with the right medications and lifestyle to avoid their complications, one of which is kidney failure

The other basic test:

1. Urinalysis to check for proteins.

Note:
Once a urinalysis shows proteins, there is something wrong with your kidneys, because they should not be there.

Further tests are necessary if there are abnormalities found in the above tests. A qualified doctor will be able to advice you appropriately. The costs of these tests depends on the hospital or laboratory (reputable) that you do these tests.

On average, it should cost between N500 and N1000 for the screening (not the further tests)

@eagle22, the next definite free kidney screening will take place on World Kidney Day, March 10th, 2011.

The venue will be announced in due course.

If there is one before that day, it will also be announced.

Best wishes

@vincent_09, I do not understand your question.

What do you mean for the kidney to be cleansed/purified? Is somebody promising you such? If that is the case there is no such thing. Or can somebody say they want to cleanse/purify the heart?

The organs in the body are what they are as God made them. They, including the kidneys, work unhindered every second of everyday as long as there is no problem. Once there is a problem you can either:

1. Treat the problem and the kidneys can go back to normal as in the case of severe diarrhea in cases of cholera, or blood loss in an accident. Here, lots of fluids are given (or blood) and the kidneys will not shut down. The way they are created, blood must always pass through them or it can lead to acute kidney failure. Acute cases are reversible if treated on time.

2. Manage the problem especially in chronic cases like hypertension and diabetes damaging the kidneys.

If there is a problem, treat or manage the problem., there is no such thing as cleansing and purifying. What I recall about such practices is that they give one intravenous fluids (drip) and give you a drug (don't recall) which turns the urine red. They do not do anything for you and it is a scam.

I hope I have answered your questions. If not, do not hesitate to ask other questions.

Regards

Q: Should I change my diet when I start dialysis?
A: Yes. All forms of dialysis restrict diet to some extent.
• Some treatment options like Haemodialysis (HD) have more restrictions than others.
• Peritoneal dialysis (PD) lets you have more protein, fluids and potassium in your diet.
• Your renal care team will advise you on changes to your diet plans and eating habits while on dialysis. You should also discuss these changes with a dietician if you have access to one.

Q: What is the diet for patients on Haemodialysis?
A: Hemodialysis and a proper diet help reduce the wastes that build up in your blood. A dietitian is usually available at dialysis centers to help you plan meals according to your doctor’s orders.

Q: What is the diet for patients on peritoneal dialysis?
A: A peritoneal dialysis diet is slightly different from that of a haemodialysis diet but this form of dialysis is not readily available in Nigeria presently.

Q: Will I be able to continue my normal activities once I start dialysis?
A: Working, driving and normal housework activities are typically not restricted on dialysis. Your level of freedom and flexibility will depend on the treatment you chose, whether it is a fixed schedule of HD, or PD.

Q: When and why is dialysis given?
A: When end-stage kidney failure occurs, treatment is necessary to replace the function of the kidneys. Dialysis is a life-saving option until a suitable organ donor is found, but it is not a cure for end-stage kidney failure.

Q: Who can I talk to in order to learn more about dialysis treatments?
A: There are a number of people you can talk to but the most important person is your doctor or a nephrologist (a Physician who is a Specialist in kidneys). Others are the renal care team and even other people with renal failure.

Q: Where is the closest dialysis centre?
A: There are a number dialysis centres across Nigeria, especially in the urban areas. Your doctor can advise you of the nearest centre and how to access it.

Q: Can I change to a different form of treatment once I’ve started dialysis?
A: Yes. It is quite common for people to change treatments as their health and lifestyle needs change. You may have several methods of dialysis treatment throughout your life.

Q: How does dialysis filter waste from the blood?
A:
• During dialysis, waste and excess water pass from the blood into a liquid called dialysate for removal from the body by a process called diffusion.
• A thin layer of natural tissue (in peritoneal dialysis) or of synthetic plastic (in haemodialysis), known as the dialysis membrane, keeps the blood separate from the dialysis fluid.
• Blood cells are too large to pass through the dialysis membrane, though waste and water can diffuse into the dialysis fluid.
• Wastes are then removed from the body by extracting the dialysis fluid.

Q: How does dialysis balance the body’s fluid levels?
A:
• In both Haemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis, a process called ultrafiltration removes excess fluid.
• In haemodialysis, the fluid is simply drawn from the blood by the dialysis machine. The amount of water to be removed can be varied by changing the dialyser’s settings.
• In peritoneal dialysis a substance (most commonly glucose) is added to the blood to draw water out in a process called osmosis.
• Peritoneal dialysis solution containing a lot of glucose will draw out more fluid than a weaker solution.

Q: Will dialysis cure me?
A:
• Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are treatments that help replace the work your kidneys did.
• These treatments help you feel better and live longer, but they don’t cure kidney failure.

Q: How long can I be on dialysis?
A: You can be on dialysis for as long as it takes to get a kidney transplant or for the rest of your life.

For more information:

   FAQs on Kidney Failure http://www.nkidneyfoundation.org/FAQ.php
   Follow us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nathan-Kidney-Foundation/129948070350781?ref=ts
   Follow our blog http://www.nkidneyfoundation..com/
   Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/nkfoundation

Regards,

Nathan Kidney Foundation

Q: How does dialysis filter waste from the blood?
A:
• During dialysis, waste and excess water pass from the blood into a liquid called dialysate for removal from the body by a process called diffusion.
• A thin layer of natural tissue (in peritoneal dialysis) or of synthetic plastic (in haemodialysis), known as the dialysis membrane, keeps the blood separate from the dialysis fluid.
• Blood cells are too large to pass through the dialysis membrane, though waste and water can diffuse into the dialysis fluid.
• Wastes are then removed from the body by extracting the dialysis fluid.

Q: How does dialysis balance the body’s fluid levels?
A:
• In both Haemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis, a process called ultrafiltration removes excess fluid.
• In haemodialysis, the fluid is simply drawn from the blood by the dialysis machine. The amount of water to be removed can be varied by changing the dialyser’s settings.
• In peritoneal dialysis a substance (most commonly glucose) is added to the blood to draw water out in a process called osmosis.
• Peritoneal dialysis solution containing a lot of glucose will draw out more fluid than a weaker solution.

Q: Will dialysis cure me?
A:
• Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are treatments that help replace the work your kidneys did.
• These treatments help you feel better and live longer, but they don’t cure kidney failure.

Q: How long can I be on dialysis?
A: You can be on dialysis for as long as it takes to get a kidney transplant or for the rest of your life.

Selling your body parts is ethically wrong, no matter the situation.

Commercialization will lead to black market operations where people can be kidnapped and their kidneys removed.

Look for other avenues to improve your financial situation.

Nathan Kidney Foundation

Q: What is dialysis?
A: Dialysis is a method of removing waste products and excess fluids from your body after your kidneys have failed. Kidney dialysis is an artificial process that performs the two main functions of the kidneys:
1. Filtering waste from the blood; and
2. Balancing the body’s fluid levels.

Q: What are the types of dialysis available?
A: There are two types of dialysis:
1. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) and
2. Haemodialysis (HD)

Q: What is Haemodialysis (HD)?
A: Haemodialysis (HD) is a machine-assisted blood filtration method which removes waste and excess fluid from your blood in a dialyser (or artificial kidney) outside your body. It usually requires a doctor to surgically create permanent access to your blood stream, via your arm or thigh, allowing blood to be diverted from your body, through the dialyser and back into your blood stream.

Q: What is peritoneal dialysis (PD)?
A: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) uses the peritoneum, a natural membrane lining the cavity of your abdomen. The membrane has tiny holes that allow waste products and fluid to filter from your blood. The process of waste removal, as in haemodialysis, is called diffusion. The removal of excess water, osmosis, is aided by another substance within the dialysis fluid, usually glucose.

Q: How many types of peritoneal dialysis are there?
A: There are two types of PD:
1. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
2. Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD).

Both types of PD allow you to be relatively independent and manage your own care at home. For now, PD is not widely available in Nigeria.

Q: What are the risk factors of kidney failure?
A: Those most at risk of chronic kidney failure include people who:
• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• are obese
• are over 50 years old
• use traditional medication frequently
• use bleaching creams/soaps
• smoke cigarettes
• have a family history of kidney disease

Q: Does kidney failure run in families?
A: Although it is unusual, some forms of chronic renal failure run in families. Inherited disease like polycystic kidney disease can lead to chronic renal failure.

Q: Will kidney failure affect my sexuality and fertility?
A: Decreased libido can occur and loss of fertility during renal failure and dialysis can be distressful to patients. It is often restored after a kidney transplant and many patients have successful pregnancies

Dear All,

St. Nicholas Hospital has done nearly 100 kidney transplants in the last 10 years, majority of which did not require foreign assistance. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital has done about 25 kidney transplants; Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital has done about 10 kidney transplants and University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital has done one.

Majority of the above were done wholly by Nigerians. The article states that its the first in the history of the Maiduguri Kidney Centre since it was established in 1993.

It is our sincere hope that more institutions can carry out this necessary procedure to give more people a second chance at life. Right now, it is estimated that 15, 000 new cases of kidney failure requiring kidney transplants are diagnosed annually in Nigeria.

It is expensive to manage because the patient still needs life long medication to prevent rejection of the new kidney. Presently it costs about N150, 000 per month. How many Nigerians can afford that and the millions of Naira necessary to do the kidney transplants in the first place.

What about kidney donors? It is wrong to buy a kidney because one would be commercially exploited and soon a black market will exist for these organs. Donating a kidney is usually from a relative where one can be sure it is altruistic. If a friend wants to donate, he/she would be screened to make sure there is no money involved.

Prevention is better than cure. The most common causes of Kidney failure is Hypertension and Diabetes; know today if you fall into either category and begin to manage it now. There are other causes of kidney failure.

See the following for further information:
1. Be informed about kidney failure: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-470563.0.html
2. The Guardian newspaper on Thursdays: Kidney Knowledge Series

You can also do a simple urinalysis to know the state of your kidneys. If the result comes back that you have protein within it, you should see a doctor for further tests.

Are your kidneys OK?

Nathan Kidney Foundation

Q: What are the treatments for End-Stage-Renal Disease (ESRD)?
A: When the kidneys fail completely, 2 options are available to sustain life: dialysis or transplantation.

Q: Can kidney failure be cured?
A: Acute renal failure is a serious condition but it may resolve in time and sometimes within days with haemodialysis. Recovery also depends on the underlying cause and the treatment given.

Chronic renal failure cannot be cured. Renal replacement therapies of dialysis can only perform 5% of the kidney’s function, while transplantation has to be sustained by a lifetime of medication.

Q: What are the complications associated with kidney failure?
A: When kidney function drops below 20 per cent of normal function, toxic waste and excess fluid begin to accumulate in the blood. Kidney failure may be responsible for various complications including:
• Fluid retention in the body’s tissue causing swelling known as oedema
• Fluid in the lungs known as “pulmonary oedema”
• Anaemia i.e. a lowered count of red blood cells
• Calcium shortage leading to the bones becoming weak
• End-stage renal failure (ESRF) also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD)

Early detection and appropriate treatment may slow or stop the progression of kidney failure and its complications.

Can I die from kidneys failure?
A: In the long run, if there is no treatment with either dialysis or a transplant, kidney failure is fatal. This is due to the buildup of waste products, accumulation of fluid in the body and affectation of its other functions.

Q: How is kidney failure treated?
A: When the kidney failure becomes severe (usually less than 10 to 15% of the normal kidney functions), it is called end-stage-renal disease (ESRD) and treatments that replace the work of healthy kidneys must be started; this includes Dialysis and Transplantation.

Q: What can I do to reduce damage to my kidney?
A:
• Keep fit with regular exercise to help blood pressure and weight control.
• Eat healthy and maintain a good body weight – which reduces blood pressure stress of being overweight and diabetes mellitus.
• Keep regular control of your blood sugar level
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Moderate alcohol consumption
• Do not smoke
• Do not take over-the-counter-pills on a regular basis
• Do not use bleaching creams and/or soaps
• Avoid herbal preparations
• Drinking adequate quantities ( 2 to 3 Litres ) of water daily
• See your doctor immediately you notice anything unusual

Q: What is end-stage renal disease?
A: Also called end-stage renal failure, it is the point at which the kidneys cannot sustain life any more.

The date is 30th July, 2010.

Nathan Kidney Foundation

Hello All,

As part of NASFAT Women's Week in VI, NKF will be conducting free kidney screening for those who show up at the Eti-Osa LGA office on Muri Okunola St. between 11am and 3pm.

We hope to see you!

Are your kidneys OK?

Nathan Kidney Foundation