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Health Aid Foundation -HAF-, Owerri (2025)

14/03/2024

DID YOU KNOW?

Okay, here are some fun facts about kidney health:

- Your kidneys filter about 120-150 quarts of blood per day! That's enough to fill a small swimming pool.

- Your kidneys remove waste products and excess water from your blood. They also balance the levels of chemicals in your blood, such as sodium and potassium.

- Your kidneys are bean-shaped, and they're about the size of your fist. They're located just below your rib cage, on either side of your spine.

- Your kidneys produce hormones that help control your blood pressure and make red blood cells.

- You have two kidneys, but you can live with just one healthy kidney

- Your kidneys are powerful filters! They filter out about a quart of waste products and extra water every hour. That's why it's so important to drink plenty of water. If you don't drink enough water, your kidneys can't do their job properly.

- Your kidneys are hard at work even when you're sleeping! They never take a break. In fact, your kidneys are always filtering your blood, even when you're not thinking about them. So, even when you're fast asleep, your kidneys are busy keeping you healthy.

- Your kidneys are so important that your body has a backup system in case one of them fails! If one of your kidneys is damaged or diseased, the other kidney can actually grow larger and take over most of the work. This is called compensatory hypertrophy, and it's a pretty cool example of how the body adapts to changes.

- Kidneys are also involved in regulating your blood pressure. They release hormones that help to keep your blood pressure within a healthy range. If your kidneys aren't working properly, your blood pressure may become too high or too low.

- Your kidneys are full of tiny blood vessels! In fact, your kidneys have about 1 million tiny blood vessels inside them. That's more blood vessels than any other organ in your body! These blood vessels are where your kidneys do most of their work. They filter your blood and remove waste products and extra water.

- The first successful kidney transplant was performed in 1954 by Dr. Joseph Murray and his team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

- Did you know that your kidneys can regenerate? If you lose part of your kidney, the healthy part of the kidney can actually grow to make up for the lost tissue. Pretty incredible, right!

So, it's safe to say that your kidneys are pretty amazing!

13/03/2024

HERBAL DRUGS & DRUG ABUSE

Do you know that the kidney plays a major role in the clearance of these chemical compounds in the form of drugs from the system?

Now you know!

What are the effects of herbal drugs & drug abuse on the kidney?

Herbal medications, sometimes referred to as botanicals or phytotherapeutics, are made from plants and have been used for centuries in medicine. Even while several herbal medicines have shown to have therapeutic benefits, using them can also have hazards, especially if taken excessively or in combination with other substances like alcohol and prescription drugs. Likewise, the misuse or overindulgence in illegal substances or prescribed drugs, sometimes referred to as drug abuse, can have significant consequences for the kidneys.

HERBAL DRUGS' IMPACT ON THE KIDNEY:

1. Nephrotoxicity: Certain herbal medications include substances that may be hazardous to the kidneys. For instance, renal failure and severe kidney damage, such as chronic interstitial nephritis, have been related to aristolochic acid, which is present in some Chinese herbal treatments.

2. Drug Interactions: Herbal remedies and prescription pharmaceuticals may interact, perhaps causing kidney damage. Herbal supplements, for example, have the potential to disrupt drug metabolism, so altering drug levels in the body and raising the risk of kidney toxicity. Examples of such supplements include echinacea, ginkgo biloba, and St. John's wort.

3. Allergic Reactions: Herbal medications may include allergens that cause allergic reactions, including allergic diseases of the kidneys like nephrotic syndrome or interstitial nephritis.

4. Dehydration: Excessive urination might result from certain herbal medications, especially those with diuretic effects. Dehydration can put a load on the kidneys and raise the possibility of acute renal damage or kidney stones.

5. Contamination: Herbal medications, particularly those sourced from plants, may contain contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, or microbes.

DRUG ABUSE'S EFFECTS ON THE KIDNEY:

1. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Medications that affect renal blood flow, and tubular function, or directly damage kidney cells, such as co***ne, opioids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), can result in AKI.

2. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Long-term drug misuse, particularly with substances like alcohol, he**in, or methamphetamine, can cause glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis, and hypertension, among other processes.

3. Nephrolithiasis:: Some drugs, particularly those that alter urine composition or increase urinary calcium excretion (e.g., antiretroviral medications, protease inhibitors), can predispose individuals to kidney stone formation.

Conclusively,
Addiction to drugs and the use of herbal remedies can both negatively impact kidney function. Herbal treatments can interact with prescriptions or include nephrotoxic chemicals, which can pose dangers to kidney health even though they are typically viewed as natural and benign. Similar to this, abusing drugs—illegal or prescribed—can damage kidneys acutely or chronically through a variety of methods. Healthcare professionals must be aware of these dangers and inform patients of the possible harm that using herbal remedies and abusing drugs may do to their kidneys. Additionally, regulatory measures and public health initiatives are needed to ensure the safety and appropriate use of herbal drugs and to address the underlying factors contributing to drug abuse.

So be careful not to abuse drugs and ensure that usage of herbal drugs is regulated by professional health care personnel!

Cheers to better kidney health!

12/03/2024

DAY 3 :
SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASES

🎯 *Dizziness and fatigue* This is due to inability of the kidney to effectively secrete erythropoietin to signal the brain to synthesize Red blood cell with fewer Red blood cell there resulting in fatigue and dizziness

*🎯Edema* This is the most visible symptoms if kidney disease due to defective filtration resulting in accumulation of fluids the leg , ankle and even the arms resulting in swelling

*🎯Changes in Urination* Changes in urine habits can be polyuria, dysuria or even noctouria depending on the kidney disease.
Frequent urination or little or no urination is an indication the the kidney is no longer functioning effectively

🎯 *Proteinuria* proteins are large molecular and polar subtance cannot pass through glomerular filter can only be absorbed back so when there is Proteinuria it show defective ultrafiltration of the kidneys

*OTHER SYMPTOMS INCLUDES*

🎯haemouria
🎯Nausea and vomiting
🎯Muscle cramp
🎯Loss of appetite
🎯 Insomnia
🎯Dry Itchy Skin

NB: IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, KINDLY GO TO THE NEAREST LABORATORY FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS.

11/03/2024

*COMMON KIDNEY DISEASE AND THEIR CAUSES*

1️⃣ *Chronic kidney disease*
Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition that does not improve over time .It is the most common form of kidney disease.

*CAUSES*
🔸HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
One of the major cause of chronic kidney disease is high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is dangerous for the kidneys because it can increase the pressure on the glomeruli. Glomeruli are the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys where blood is cleaned. Over time, the increased pressure damages these vessels, and kidney function begins to decline.

Kidney function will eventually deteriorate to the point where the kidneys can no longer perform their job properly. In this case, a person would need to go on dialysis. Dialysis filters extra fluid and waste out of the blood. Dialysis can help treat kidney disease, but it cannot cure it ,it only helps in management of the illness.

A kidney transplant may be another treatment option depending on your circumstances.

🔸Diabetes is also a major cause of “chronic kidney disease”. The increased level of sugar in the blood damages the blood vessels in the kidneys over time. This means the kidneys cannot clean the blood properly. Kidney failure can occur when your body becomes overloaded with toxins.

2️⃣ *Kidney stones*
Kidney stones is another common kidney problem.

*CAUSES*

🔸They occur when minerals and other substances in the blood crystallize in the kidneys, forming solid masses (stones). Kidney stones usually come out of the body during urination. Passing kidney stones can be extremely painful, but they rarely cause significant problems.

3️⃣ *Glomerulonephritis*
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli. Glomeruli are extremely small structures inside the kidneys that filter the blood.

🔸 *CAUSES*
Glomerulonephritis can be caused by infections, drugs, or disorders that occur during or shortly after birth (congenital abnormalities).

4️⃣ *Polycystic kidney disease*
Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that causes numerous cysts (small sacs of fluid) to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can interfere with kidney function and cause kidney failure.

*5️⃣ Urinary tract infections*
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections of any part of the urinary system. Infections in the bladder and urethra are the most common. They are easily treatable and rarely lead to more health problems. However, if left untreated, these infections can spread to the kidneys and cause kidney failure.

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🔊 *HEALTH AID FOUNDATION*(HAF) ❤️

10/03/2024

Dive into Kidney Health Awareness with HAF! 💙
Follow us as we explore common kidney diseases, symptoms, and tips for maintaining optimal kidney function. Together, let's spread awareness and prioritize our kidney health!
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10/03/2024

KIDNEY HEALTH AWARENESS

Join us this week as we delve into the crucial topic of kidney health. Our focus is on raising awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy kidneys and understanding the impact of kidney diseases on overall well-being.

Did you know that kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste products from the blood and regulating fluid balance in the body? Despite their importance, kidney health often goes unnoticed until problems arise.

Throughout this week, we'll explore common kidney diseases, their symptoms, preventive measures, and lifestyle changes to promote optimal kidney health. Together, let's spread knowledge and empower each other to prioritize our kidney health!

Stay tuned for informative posts, tips, and resources to help you on your journey to better kidney health. Remember, knowledge is key to prevention and early detection. Let's kickstart this week with a commitment to kidney health awareness! 💙

06/03/2024

WE PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH

06/03/2024

We Prioritize your health ❤️

06/03/2024

Your health is our priority.

05/03/2024

Our commitment is to constantly promote good health and wellness in the society.

Health Aid Foundation -HAF-

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