oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | chronic conditions and diseases, healthcare and medicine, hospitals, kidney disease, kidneys
Local hospitals have had to modify their dialysis schedules due to a rise in patient volume.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Health, over 5,000 individuals are undergoing dialysis treatment, and approximately 12,000 others have progressed to end-stage renal failure.
It is believed that approximately five million people in Kenya suffer from various forms of chronic kidney disease, often without being aware of their condition.
In light of rising worries about kidney health nationwide, patients gained round-the-clock access to dialysis services at AAR Hospital throughout the observance of this year’s World Kidney Day.
The CEO of AAR Hospital, Dr. Aysha Edwards, states that the round-the-clock availability aligns with the hospital’s biweekly 24-hour dialysis sessions, allowing CKD patients to receive treatment at any hour during those days.
Monday and Thursday.
“Our findings indicate an increase in kidney disease instances along with higher requirements for dialysis treatments. This has led us to expand our offerings to include additional services such as
“On Mondays and Thursdays, patients have 24-hour dialysis sessions,” stated Dr. Edwards.
The number of dialysis sessions at the AAR Hospital located in Muthaiga North rose by approximately a fifth (17.5 percent) within a single year.
In January 2024 and January 2025.
Edwards states that AAR Hospital is one of the limited medical centers providing uninterrupted dialysis services on certain days, guaranteeing that no patient will be denied care because of timing issues.
Kidney failure can result from conditions like diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and urinary tract issues; however, it may also have a hereditary component.
It can be avoided by making lifestyle choices like maintaining a nutritious diet and engaging in routine physical activity.
Dr. Edwards emphasized, “Above all, the hospital is concentrating on raising awareness and conducting early screenings to assist in reducing the number of late-stage kidney disease cases.”
Kenya reportedly has a chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence rate of 4 percent, which is notably lower than the sub-Saharan African average of 14 percent, according to research featured in the US National Library of Medicine.
September 2022.
The study revealed that individuals most at risk for chronic kidney disease include seniors over the age of 60 and people living with HIV.
“According to unpublished information from the Kenya Renal Registry, hypertension-induced kidney damage and diabetes-related kidney disorders are the leading causes of kidney ailments among individuals undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT). While there have been no official investigations into the frequency and occurrence of end-stage kidney disease—referred to as stage 5 CKD—the unofficial assessments suggest that less than half of those requiring KRT actually receive it,” says the document.
International recommendations suggest undergoing dialysis thrice weekly for individuals suffering from end-stage kidney disease; however, achieving this frequency is often unfeasible in numerous Sub-Saharan African nations like Kenya.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Jan 23, 2025 | adhd, adult adhd/add, chronic conditions and diseases, health, healthcare and medicine
Individuals who receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood might face a reduced life expectancy compared to those without this condition, as suggested by a recent study that has been described by certain specialists as “remarkable”.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), ADHD is a disorder marked by constant fidgeting, trouble focusing, and impulsive behavior, typically identified in kids younger than 12 years old.
In a world-first
study
In the study, over 30,000 adults from the UK who had ADHD were compared to more than 300,000 individuals without ADHD.
The study relied on de-identified primary care data spanning from the year 2000 through 2019.
The research revealed that males with an ADHD diagnosis lived 4.5 to 9 fewer years than those without the condition, whereas females with ADHD experienced a reduction of 6.6 to 11 years in their life span when contrasted with individuals who were not diagnosed.
The research appeared in the British Journal of Psychiatry on Thursday.
‘Deeply concerning’
Josh Stott, the lead researcher of this new study and a professor specializing in ageing and clinical psychology at University College London, expressed deep concern over the finding that certain adults with ADHD “aren’t reaching their expected lifespan.”
“People with ADHD possess numerous strengths and can excel when provided with appropriate assistance and therapy. Nonetheless, these individuals frequently find themselves without adequate support and are at higher risk of encountering stressful situations and facing social isolation, which adversely affects their well-being and self-worth,” he stated.
The researchers warned that adult ADHD frequently goes undiagnosed, which might lead the study to overstate the decreases in life expectancy. They also emphasized that additional studies are necessary.
Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics from the Open University in the UK, who wasn’t part of the study team, stated that he found the research “impressive” yet noted that it still didn’t address numerous crucial queries.
“Despite some statistical uncertainties, the projected variations in lifespan between individuals identified as having ADHD versus those who aren’t seem quite substantial,” he noted, emphasizing that the crucial issue now is figuring out how we should address this.
He stated that this relies on whether ADHD led to the decreases in life expectancy, adding that the study is observational and emphasizing that the “complex interplay of various elements that could be intertwined is bound to be intricate”.
Support and treatment needed
According to the research findings, the decreased lifespans are probably due to “changeable risk elements and unfulfilled assistance and healthcare requirements” associated with both ADHD and various mental and physical health issues.
Philip Asherson, a professor of molecular psychiatry at King’s College London who wasn’t part of the research team, commented in a statement that although the exact reasons for premature deaths remain unclear, “ADHD is linked to increased incidences of smoking, obesity, heart conditions, as well as various types of cancers.”
“ADHD is being more widely recognized as a significant issue in adults linked to adverse health outcomes,” he stated, although he also noted that there is restricted availability for diagnosing and treating this condition.
For example, the latest research revealed that only one out of every 300 adults throughout the duration of their investigation received an ADHD diagnosis. According to the scientists, this figure corresponds to approximately one-ninth of what they estimated as the probable actual count of individuals living with ADHD derived from survey data.
“Asherson further noted that until this issue is tackled, the reduced life expectancy highlighted in the study will probably persist.”
