Early in July 2022, the media was awash with the name "Ike Ekweremadu" – Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His 25-year-old daughter was battling kidney failure. The stories caused quite a stir, not just because of the kidney donor saga, but also because people were alarmed all over again by the rate at which young people were coming down with kidney failure.

"What causes this kidney failure?" many began to ask. This article will highlight the answers to this question.

WHAT IS KIDNEY FAILURE?

The primary functions of the kidneys are the elimination of metabolic waste and fluid balance. When the kidneys can no longer perform these functions, they are said to have failed. Accumulation of toxic wastes thus gives rise to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, confusion, muscle cramps, etc., while inadequate fluid balance causes body swelling (especially of the face and feet).

CAUSES OF KIDNEY FAILURE

The following have been identified as causes of kidney (injury) failure:

• HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES

Being best buddies through and through, hypertension and diabetes rank as the most preponderant causes of kidney failure. The risk is worse when persons with these conditions are not compliant with their medications.

• EXCESSIVE USE OF NSAIDS

Overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen, Diclofenac, etc., portends doom for the kidneys. If you suffer from any chronic painful condition, it's best to consult your physician on how best to tackle it. Sometimes patent medicine dealers mix different types of NSAIDS for their patrons.

• GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Glomerulonephritis is a disease that affects specialized structures in the kidney responsible for filtration. The cause may be unknown, but it can also arise following certain bacterial infections, e.g. sore (strep) throat and impetigo (skin infection). So don't overlook sore throats as one of those things. Get appropriate treatment.

• LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

Any condition that reduces the amount of blood flow to the kidneys is a show-stopper. Excessive blood loss, severe dehydration due to cholera, and other causes fall under this category. It is thus important that fluids are promptly replaced as they are lost. In the case of cholera and other causes of diarrhea, this is where ORS comes in.

• HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)

Yes, there is such a thing as HIV nephropathy. HIV is best prevented, but some drugs can keep one in optimal condition if it has been acquired.

• TOXINS

Certain herbal medications contain toxins that can impair kidney function. Heavy metals (eg. Mercury) found in some bleaching creams may cause kidney failure too because they get deposited in the skin.

• AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS

Autoimmune conditions refer to diseases where the body wages war on itself, attacking cells and organs. Common autoimmune conditions that can hamper kidney function are Systemic lupus erythematosus and Rheumatoid arthritis. Some years back Selena Gomez got a transplant following an attack on her kidney by Lupus.

• HEREDITARY CONDITIONS

Some genetic mutations such as that seen in Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) can cause kidney failure.

• SEPSIS 

Sepsis is a serious condition that results when there's an overwhelming response by the body to the presence of an infection in the bloodstream. This response causes damage to organ systems; the kidneys are not left out of this onslaught.

• OBSTRUCTION TO URINE FLOW

Kidney stones, enlarged prostate, clot retention, and tumor impingement of the ureters are a few conditions that obstruct urine flow. This obstruction causes a backflow of urine which damages the kidneys.

Other things that can predispose to or outrightly cause kidney failure include; smoking, excessive alcohol intake, heart attack, liver failure, substance abuse, excessive muscle breakdown, medications (eg. Certain antibiotics)

Now you know why kidney failure may occur, do well to guard against those you can prevent.