50 percent of those with high blood pressure have kidney diseases, a scientific study has revealed.
The study also declared kidney problems a health emergency and warned the public to take necessary steps against this deadly disease.
Dr. Edward Donkoh, the physician specialist and medical director of Nagel Memorial Adventist Hospital, disclosed this during an exclusive phone interview with Max Morning Dew on Monday.
He said kidney disease has become a public health concern and charged Ghanaians to get examined early before the ailment moves to stage five.
Dr. Donkoh noted that lots of Ghanaians have high blood pressure, and it is alarming that 50 percent of those living with high blood pressure have kidney diseases, thus expressing the need for early detection.
According to him, many Ghanaians wait until the ailment reaches stage five before seeking medical treatment.
“At this point, it has become too late, and they have to be on dialysis. This common practice has put pressure on our dialysis machines. Kidney disease is a serious matter and must be treated with all seriousness,” he said.
Dr. Donkoh stated that people don’t detect the symptoms early, explaining that most times when people get high blood pressure and other ailments that might be associated with the kidney, they rather take herbal medicine and some painkillers that trigger the ailment.
“I am not saying herbal medicine is bad, but before buying it, ensure it is approved by the Food and Drug Authority. Also, you must know that you are using the right medicine for the ailment you’re treating. This is the reason you have to go to the hospital to get examined before. If the kidney problem is in Stages 1–3, it can be managed well for you to fully recover, but don’t wait till it’s in Stage 5 after self-medication didn’t help you,” he added.
Dr. Donkoh also observed that infections in children were mainly the cause of kidney problems in children and therefore cautioned parents against self-medication in children who had been vomiting.
He said there were two forms of kidney diseases, acute and chronic, but children mostly suffered the acute one, and he emphasized the need for early examination and treatment to reduce the burden on parents, individuals, the government, and the country as a whole.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
