Women Risk Having Kidney Disease Than Men-Nephrologist

A  Nephrologist, Dr. Theophillus Umeizudike, of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, today said women are more at risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease than men.

This he said in an interview with newsmen while speaking in relations to the just conclude world kidney day which was March 2nd.

The 2018 WKD coincides with International Women’s Day, marked annually on March 8 and the theme for this year’s WKD is “Kidneys and Women’s Health: Include, Value, Empower.”

According to him, factors such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, unwanted pregnancies resulting in abortion, and auto-immune diseases put women at risk of kidney disease.

Umeizudike added, “women with progressing pregnancies may be at risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension which usually tends to affect teenagers or those in their early 20s and late 40s.

“Also, those who have had many children may be at risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension, a risk factor for pre-eclampsia or eclampsia and these can impact on both mother and child.

“The other aspect of women’s health that makes them prone to kidney disease is that women tend to have auto-immune diseases, a condition where the body fights itself.

“The diseases common to women include systemic lupus erythematosus, arthritis, and many other disorders which affect the kidneys.”

He advised women in their reproductive age and pregnant women to report to health facilities for medical check ups.

He noted that “one in five per cent of women may be affected by pregnancy-induced hypertension and so they need to be detected early to prevent complications.

“Usually, women who were treated for eclampsia during pregnancy may have their blood pressures normalised after delivery.

“However, some years down the line, the woman may be at risk of developing hypertension, a risk factor for kidney disease.

“So, if treated during pregnancy, women still need to be monitored to be sure she is not developing hypertension or it is not persisting.

“Women should also imbibe the culture of checking their health status on yearly basis to be sure that there is nothing wrong with their vital organs.”

“The coinciding of WKD and IWD offers an opportunity to develop and define best practices and future research agendas.

“Ultimately, to optimise outcomes of present and future generations living with or at risk for kidney disease.

“Advocating for improved access to care for women is critical to maintaining the health of families, communities, and populations.”