Self-medication has been identified as a major cause of kidney failure among Nigerians. This assertion was made by to Dr Musa Obadiah, the Director, Taraba HIV Programme Implementation Unit, when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Jalingo.
He said that this was so because drug consumption without prescription often put organs of the body at risk.
The director also identified traditional medicine concoctions and the toxins in food preservatives as other causes of rampant cases of kidney failure among the people.
“Many people today go for self-medication and some of these drugs are injurious to the kidney, which is the cleaning engine of the body.
“Traditional medicine, toxic preservatives are other causes of kidney failure.
“Nigerians need to know that when there is too much pressure on the kidney, which is supposed to clear the toxic waste in the body, it causes the kidney to fail.”
Obadiah urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of proper and frequent medical diagnoses and prescription before taking drugs.
“I want to urge Nigerians to reduce the intake of preserved foods and go for fresh food, to reduce the risk of kidney disease.”
Obadiah also advised Nigerian farmers to use organic fertilizers, noting that they are natural and have no negative health implication.
He added that the consumption of organic foods would curb the upsurge in cases of kidney failure and cancer diseases.
