Kidney failure: causes and treatment

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Extract from the article: L’insuffisance rénale est une maladie grave. Elle entraîne une détérioration graduelle et irréversible de la capacité des reins à filtrer le sang et à excréter certaines hormones. Elle est, aujourd’hui, la 11ème cause de mortalité dans le monde. Quel

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Kidney failure is a serious disease. It leads to a gradual and irreversible deterioration in the kidneys' ability to filter blood and excrete certain hormones. It is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the world. What are the causes of this disease? What can be done about it?

There are many causes of heart failure. « Diabetes and arterial hypertension are the two biggest causes of kidney failure that lead people to dialysis », says Dr Hassane Traoré, a nephrologist at the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital in Burkina Faso.

In addition to these causes, there are others such as repeated urinary infections, viral infections such as hepatitis B or C, HIV, cancers, inadequate and chronic use of certain modern or traditional medicines, or exposure to toxic products (pesticides, mercury, lead). Obesity, smoking and advanced age increase the risk of chronic kidney damage.

Treatment

There is no cure for kidney failure. « The vast majority of patients come to the clinic too late, at a stage when the means of treatment are very limited. The aim of treatment is to reduce symptoms, prevent complications and slow the deterioration of the kidneys », explains Dr Hassane Traoré, a nephrologist.

The specialist adds: « We will treat the disease in question and any complications that may arise, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis or HIV. Next, we will protect the kidneys by avoiding substances that are toxic to the kidneys: too much meat, salt or potassium. We can also prescribe drugs to replace substances that the kidneys can no longer produce, such as vitamin D. Often, repeated blood transfusions may be required to treat chronic anaemia ». When around 85% to 90% of kidney function is lost, a therapeutic method is needed to replace the kidney's purification function. « Either a kidney transplant is carried out, which is the ideal treatment, or the patient has to undergo dialysis sessions. This is a technique that uses a machine to remove waste products and excess water from the patient's blood.This treatment is for life », explains Dr Hassane Traoré.

Prevention

Prevention remains the most important thing.The aim is to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease, especially in people at risk such as hypertensives, diabetics, obese people and the elderly.

« The most important thing is to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease, especially in people at risk, such as people with high blood pressure, diabetics, obese people and the elderly.Eat a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables. Drink enough water regularly throughout the day, and maintain regular, appropriate physical activity, while avoiding self-medication », advises the nephrologist.

Recipe: Take 07 lemongrass leaves, 07 mint leaves, 10 real kinkeliba leaves and 2 ginger roots.Boil the mixture in 1 litre of water for 15 minutes.  Drink 1 cup morning and evening with 1 teaspoon of honey.

Raymond DZAKPATA