A kidney health expert at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLRMMRH) warned that excessive intake of food supplements and pain relievers can lead to kidney damage.

Nephrologist Larrie-lyn Albarico-Guillon, in an online learning session dubbed “Kidney Health Literacy” with local information officers, said that some herbal products are also nephrotoxins or contain substances that have a poisonous effect on kidney functions.

“There are patients who are diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension and, instead of taking prescribed medicines, they will drink whatever herbal medicines and end up with uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, which leads to kidney damage,” Guillon added.

Diabetes and hypertension, according to Guillon, are the top two leading causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which constitute 52.5 percent and 22.5 percent of cases, respectively.

“Early detection is our most powerful weapon against chronic kidney disease.  Many people are unaware they have CKD until it reaches advanced stages,” Guillon underscored, adding the value of annual regular checkups and understanding the early warning signs.

Some of the common signs and symptoms of CKD include fatigue, poor appetite, edema, nausea or vomiting, decreased urine, insomnia, difficulty breathing, blood or protein in the urine, itchiness, and sexual dysfunction.

“CKD is forever.  It can be slowed but cannot be completely cured with medications,” Guillon emphasized.

CLMMRH offers a wide array of programs and services at its Renal Care Unit, where its Outpatient Department offers a once-a-week consultation focusing on patients with kidney problems, and a pre-transplant orientation for those with end-stage kidney disease and on dialysis opting to have a kidney transplant.

“We have complete laboratory functions available at CLMMRH, and even some hospitals here don’t even have these tests, including MRI, CT Scan, needed to detect kidney problems early,” Guillon shared. (PIA-6)