We live in a world where exhaustion is worn like a badge of honour. Where headaches are drowned out with painkillers, and energy drinks replace water.
We push through, ignoring the distress signals our bodies send—until the day our bodies can’t carry the burden and break down under the stress.
Kidney disease does not happen overnight.
It builds up silently, fed by years of negligence.
Eight hundred fifty million people worldwide suffer from kidney disease worldwide, and research has revealed that awareness of how to keep them healthy is low at the population level.
The most important strategy in the prevention of kidney disease is early detection.
When the early warning signs of kidney disease begin to show, it’s possible to arrest its progression and related complications once detected early.
A Story You Need To Hear
This is the story of Tunde—a young man who thought he had time until time ran out.
His journey is a stark warning, a lesson, and, most importantly, a wake-up call.
Tunde’s story is a powerful reminder of the consequences of ignoring the signs of kidney disease.
His experience, though personal, is a reflection of what many others might be going through.
Tunde’s Breaking Point
Tunde had always been a fighter. From his early days hustling as a young tech entrepreneur in Lagos, he believed in pushing limits.
He worked late into the night, running on caffeine and convenience store snacks.
Sleep? A luxury.
Exercise? No time.
Water? Maybe after another energy drink.
When fatigue set in, he pushed through.
When he noticed his ankles swelling, he assumed it was from sitting too long.
When his urine turned foamy, he dismissed it.
Headaches, dizziness, occasional nausea—it was just stress.
Then, one evening, the world blurred as he exited his office.
His heart pounded wildly. The pavement rushed toward him.
Blackout…
He woke up to bright hospital lights, the beeping of machines, and a doctor’s solemn face.
“Tunde, your kidneys are failing.”
The Silent Epidemic
More than 850 million people worldwide have some form of kidney disease, which is roughly double the number of people who live with diabetes (422 million) and 20 times more than the prevalence of cancer worldwide (42 million) or people living with AIDS/HIV (36.7 million).
This is not just Tunde’s story; it’s a global health challenge that we all need to recognise and take action against. The International Society of Nephrology is leading the charge, and we can all participate in this important global health movement.
Tunde is not alone. Millions of people go about their daily lives, unaware that their kidneys are struggling to keep up.
Kidney disease is called a silent killer because it gives no warning—no obvious signs—until the damage is already severe.
When symptoms like fatigue, swelling, or difficulty concentrating appear, the kidneys may have lost much of their function.
It is a gradual, worsening condition aggravated by unhealthy lifestyles such as neglecting hydration, misusing pain medications (NSAIDs), consuming a poor diet, and overlooking consistently high blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Many assume they are fine until one day, like Tunde, they are not. The reality is harsh: kidney disease does not wait for the right time to strike.
But the good news is it can be prevented with lifestyle modifications.
“Kidney disease prevalence is increasing globally, and it is now the seventh leading risk factor for mortality worldwide.”
What Is Kidney Disease?
Like Tunde, many people do not realise their kidneys are struggling until it is almost too late.
In the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), most individuals show little to no symptoms.
This condition progresses slowly, often going unnoticed until significant damage has occurred.
CKD, also known as chronic kidney failure, happens when the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.
As the disease advances, harmful toxins build up in the body, followed by an imbalance in electrolytes since the kidneys can’t perform their normal function of ensuring electrolyte balance, leading to serious health complications.
Treatment focuses on slowing kidney damage, often by managing the underlying cause, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
However, even with proper management, the condition can worsen. In its final stage, known as end-stage kidney failure, the kidneys can no longer function on their own. At this point, life-saving interventions like dialysis or a kidney transplant become necessary.
How Did Tunde Get Here?
For years, Tunde unknowingly fed the perfect storm for kidney failure. It was not one big mistake but a series of small, everyday choices that seemed harmless.
- High Blood Pressure – “I never checked it. Didn’t think I needed to.” He felt fine, so why worry? Uncontrolled hypertension silently damaged blood vessels in his kidneys and reduced their ability to filter waste.
- Too Much Caffeine, Too Little Water – “Coffee and energy drinks kept me going.” Long days and sleepless nights meant loading up on stimulants while barely drinking water. His kidneys, struggling to maintain balance, worked overtime until they could not anymore.
- Over-the-counter Painkillers – “Ibuprofen was my go-to for headaches.” A quick fix for stress-induced headaches seemed harmless, but frequent use of NSAIDs slowly impaired kidney function, cutting off their ability to heal.
- Unhealthy Diet Choices – “Fast food was just more convenient.” Processed foods, high in salt and unhealthy fats, elevated his blood pressure and placed extra strain on his kidneys. He never thought twice about it—until his body did.
- Ignoring The Signs – “I thought I was just tired.” Fatigue, swollen feet, difficulty concentrating—he brushed them off, never realising these were his body’s cries for help.
Many live exactly like this—until their body forces them to stop. When Tunde understood what was happening, his kidneys had already suffered severe damage.
What Are The Warning Signs?
Many people do not connect the dots until it is too late. The body gives signals but is often mistaken for stress, ageing, or minor issues.
Do any of these sound familiar?
- Constant Fatigue And Brain Fog: Your body feels drained no matter how much rest you get, and your mind struggles to stay sharp. This happens when toxins build up in the bloodstream, slowing down both your body and brain.
- Swollen Ankles, Feet, Or Face: Your shoes feel tighter, your rings leave marks, or your face looks puffier. This is due to fluid retention, a sign that your kidneys aren’t properly filtering out excess water.
- Foamy Or Dark Urine – Excessive bubbles in your urine that do not disappear quickly could be a sign of protein leakage, while dark-coloured urine might indicate blood in the urine—both warning signs of kidney trouble.
- High Blood Pressure – When the kidneys fail to regulate blood pressure effectively, it can lead to an increase, placing additional stress on other organs.
- Shortness Of Breath – Fluid buildup in the lungs or anaemia (a lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave you breathless.
Other symptoms include:
- Persistent nausea or vomiting.
- Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss.
- Muscle cramps, especially at night.
- Itchy, dry skin.
- Trouble sleeping.
Can Kidney Disease Be Stopped?
For some, kidney failure can be reversed. For others, the goal is to slow its progression and prevent further damage.
The key? Catching it early and making the right lifestyle changes.
Tunde’s journey was not easy, but he refused to let his diagnosis define him.
He took control and made radical changes—choices that ultimately gave him a fighting chance. But none of this would have been possible without consulting his doctor and following their advice closely.
- He Changed His Diet. No more excessive salt, processed foods, or sodas. He swapped fast food for home-cooked meals rich in fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and kidney-friendly options. Every bite became an investment in his health.
- He Stayed Hydrated. Goodbye, energy drinks. Hello, water. Instead of fueling his body with caffeine and sugary beverages, he ensured his kidneys had enough fluid to function correctly.
- He Stopped Abusing Painkillers. No more popping ibuprofen at the first sign of discomfort. He learned that frequent use of NSAIDs was harming his kidneys and switched to safer pain management strategies.
- He Monitored His Health. Regular check-ups became non-negotiable. Tunde made it a point to see his doctor regularly, track his blood pressure, and monitor his kidney function. Being proactive about his health allowed him to stay ahead of the disease and adjust his treatment as needed.
- He Moved His Body. Exercise became part of his routine—not just for fitness, but to keep his blood pressure in check and improve overall kidney health. Even simple daily walks made a difference.
Tunde’s story demonstrates that change is possible, but it also emphasises an important lesson in attending to our health at the right time.
Now, let’s review some standard treatment options for kidney disease. Below is a brief overview of typical treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD) that can be incorporated into the article:
Treatment Options
- Lifestyle Changes:
The first line of defence is lifestyle modification, which involves:
Dietary Changes: Reducing salt intake, avoiding processed foods, and increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Regular Exercise: Exercise helps control blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight, which is critical in managing kidney health.
Hydration: Drinking enough water ensures that the kidneys can filter waste properly.
Avoiding Harmful Substances: Limiting or eliminating over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and other substances that can stress the kidneys.
- Medications:
Blood pressure medications: ACE inhibitors or ARBs can help manage high blood pressure, a key factor in the progression of kidney disease.
Diuretics: These help reduce fluid buildup and lower blood pressure.
Phosphate binders: These medications help control the levels of phosphorus in the blood, which can build up as kidney function declines.
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs): These drugs help stimulate the production of red blood cells if anaemia develops due to kidney disease.
- Dialysis:
When kidney function drops to severe levels, dialysis may be required. There are two main types:
Hemodialysis: A machine filters waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so.
Peritoneal dialysis: The lining of your abdomen acts as a filter to remove waste from the blood.
- Kidney Transplant:
In cases of end-stage kidney failure, a kidney transplant may be the most effective treatment. A healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor replaces the failed kidneys.
- Palliative Care:
In some cases, especially in patients who are not candidates for dialysis or transplant, palliative care focuses on providing relief from symptoms and improving the quality of life without the need for invasive treatments.
Final Thoughts
Tunde was lucky. He caught the disease before it reached the point of total kidney failure. But many are not as fortunate, and by the time they realise the severity of their kidney disease, the damage is irreversible.
Kidney disease does not announce itself with conspicuous warning signs. Often, the first signs of a problem are not obvious, and by the time you notice something is wrong, significant harm may already have been done.
The key to preventing kidney failure is early detection. Once it has been noticed, it may be possible to slow down progression with the right lifestyle modifications and expert care.
