Let’s take a quick journey inside your body today. No, not with an X-ray—just your imagination.
Picture two bean-shaped superheroes tucked in your lower back, silently doing the Lord’s work
24/7. These are your kidneys, and trust me, they deserve a standing ovation!
🧼
What Do the Kidneys Do?
Your kidneys are your body's divine filters. Think of them as the janitors of your bloodstream.
Every day, they clean about 50 gallons of blood—yes, gallons!—removing waste, balancing water
and salt, and making sure your blood pressure stays in heavenly order. They even help produce
red blood cells and activate Vitamin D to keep your bones strong. God really packed a lot into
those little beans!
🚨
What’s Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease happens when your kidneys stop working as well as they should. Imagine trying
to clean your room with broken tools—trash piles up, things smell weird, and you feel
uncomfortable.
When the kidneys aren’t healthy, waste builds up in the body, and that’s a
serious issue. If untreated, it can lead to kidney failure, meaning dialysis or even a kidney
transplant. Not fun!
In recent years, kidney failure, a life-threatening condition, has increasingly become a concern in
the youth population. While kidney diseases have long been associated with older adults, the
alarming rise of kidney failure among the youth is now making headlines globally. This issue has
also reached alarming levels in Ghana, where the youth are grappling with various health issues,
including chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure.
Patients in Ghana develop kidney failure at a relatively younger age and mostly present late with advanced disease in over 75% of patients with 50% of these patients dying.
Myths About Kidney Failure
There are several myths surrounding kidney failure that need to be debunked to raise awareness:
1. Myth: Kidney Disease Only Affects Older People. Fact: Kidney disease can affect people of all
ages. While older adults are more likely to experience kidney failure, the rise of risk factors such
as diabetes, hypertension, and unhealthy lifestyles has made it more common in young peopleas well.
2. Myth: Kidney Failure Symptoms Are Always Obvious. Fact: Kidney failure often develops
slowly, and symptoms may not be noticeable until the disease is advanced. Early-stage kidney
disease can be silent, making regular check-ups is important for young people, especially if they
have risk factors.
3. Myth: Only People with Chronic Diseases Get Kidney Failure. Fact: While chronic conditions
like diabetes and hypertension contribute to kidney disease, it can also result from acute
conditions like dehydration, infections, or the overuse of certain medications. Even healthy
individuals can be at risk.
4. Myth: Kidney Failure Is Inevitable Once Diagnosed. Fact: With early detection and appropriate
treatment, kidney disease can be managed. Lifestyle changes, such as improving diet, reducing
salt intake, staying hydrated, and exercising, can prevent further kidney damage.
😲
What Causes It?
1. Unhealthy Diets: Excessive consumption of processed foods, fast foods, salty snacks, and
sugary beverages is increasingly common among the youth. These foods often contain high
levels of sodium, fats, and sugars, which contribute to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes – all
of which are major risk factors for kidney failure.
2. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Hypertension, which is becoming more common among
young people, is a leading cause of kidney damage. Left untreated, high blood pressure can
damage blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure over time.
3. Diabetes: Diabetes, especially Type 2, is no longer seen only in older adults. It is rapidly
increasing among the youth due to poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. When blood
sugar levels are consistently high, they can damage the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney
disease.
4. Overuse of Painkillers and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Many young
people, especially those who engage in intense physical activity or experience chronic pain,
misuse painkillers like ibuprofen and other NSAIDs. When used excessively, these drugs can
harm the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.
5. Dehydration and Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Many youth fail to drink enough water,
opting instead for sugary drinks or alcohol, which can lead to dehydration. Chronic dehydration
puts unnecessary strain on the kidneys. Excessive alcohol consumption further compounds the
problem, as it impairs kidney function.But here’s the kicker—it can sneak in silently, with no symptoms until things get really bad.
That’s why we need to be watchful warriors, just like Jesus taught us (Matthew 26:41).
🧃
Healthy Kidneys, Happy Life!
Here’s how you can protect your holy filters:
✅
Drink plenty of water – at least 6-8 glasses a day.
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Eat more fruits and vegetables – and lay off that salty snack bag! A high-sodium diet can
increase blood pressure and stress the kidneys.
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Exercise regularly – even if it’s just dancing to gospel music!Regular physical activity helps
maintain a healthy weight, lowers blood pressure, and regulates blood sugar levels – all of
which are important for kidney health.
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Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol – they are not kidney friendly.
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Use Painkillers Wisely: Only take painkillers when necessary and under the guidance of a
healthcare provider. Avoid self-medication with NSAIDs or other over-the-counter drugs that can
harm the kidneys.
✅
Educate Yourself and Others: Knowledge is power. The youth should be encouraged to
educate themselves on kidney health, share information, and support initiatives that promote a
healthy lifestyle.
✅
Get regular check-ups, at least twice a year– early detection saves lives.
Fun Facts! Fun Facts!
1. You Can Live with One Kidney! While kidney failure is a serious concern, living with one
healthy kidney is possible. Many people donate kidneys without facing long-term health risks,
showing just how adaptable and resilient the kidneys can be.
2. The Color of Your Urine Matters! Clear urine is a good indicator of proper hydration. Dark
yellow or amber urine could signal dehydration and kidney strain, so make sure to stay hydrated,
especially in hot weather or after exercise.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,
"do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?...
Therefore honor God with your bodies.
" That includes taking care of your kidneys! Whether
you’re leading a Bible study or scoring goals on the football field, your health matters to
God—and to your ministry (3John :2).🩺
Final Word
Kidney disease is real, but it’s preventable. Start now. Take care of those kidneys so you can
keep serving, worshipping, and thriving in Christ!
Let’s honor God—not just with our voices, but with our choices.
References:
Tannor EK, Adusei K, Norman BR. A 10-year retrospective review of renal cases seen in a
Tertiary Hospital in West Africa. Afr J Curr Med Res. 2018;2:2. doi:10.31191/afrijcmr.v2i2.24
Adjei DN, Stronks K, Adu D, et al. Chronic kidney disease burden among African migrants in
three European countries and in urban and rural Ghana: the RODAM cross‐sectional study.
Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2018;33(10):1812‐1822.