Nephrologists have warned that severe dehydration can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and trigger acute kidney injury, urging Nigerians to maintain adequate fluid intake as the dry season approaches.

The specialists explained that dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, particularly through excessive sweating, persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, severe bleeding and infections.

They warned that prolonged or rapid fluid loss could overwhelm the body’s natural mechanisms for conserving water, eventually affecting kidney function and potentially causing serious complications.

The experts gave the warning in separate interviews, advising Nigerians to drink potable water regularly, avoid indiscriminate use of medicines and seek prompt medical attention when experiencing persistent fluid loss or reduced urine output.

A Professor of Medicine at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, and immediate past President of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, Prof. Jacob Awobusuyi, said severe dehydration could damage the kidneys by reducing the amount of blood reaching the organs.

He explained that the body continuously loses water through urination, sweating and breathing, making regular fluid replacement necessary to maintain normal body functions.

According to him, severe dehydration can occur when people lack access to potable water for several days, particularly in hot environments where sweating increases fluid loss.

He also identified severe diarrhoea and vomiting, including those associated with cholera, as possible causes of significant dehydration. Substantial blood loss following accidents can similarly reduce blood circulation to the kidneys.

Awobusuyi noted that reduced urine production could be an important warning sign that the kidneys were not functioning properly.

He explained that when kidney function becomes impaired, the organs may struggle to remove waste products from the blood, allowing harmful substances to accumulate and affect other parts of the body, including the brain and heart.

The nephrologist warned that serious complications could develop within three to four days in some cases, particularly when a person stops producing urine.

However, he cautioned that reduced urine output does not automatically indicate kidney injury, as the body naturally conserves water during hot weather, resulting in less frequent urination and darker, more concentrated urine.

He recommended that people with normally functioning kidneys take about two to three litres of water daily, while ensuring they replace fluids lost through physical activities and sweating.

Awobusuyi also advised Nigerians to limit their dependence on carbonated and sugary drinks, noting that they should not replace adequate water intake.

Similarly, a Consultant Physician and Nephrologist, Dr Zumnan Gimba, said inadequate fluid intake could prevent the kidneys from maintaining the body’s water balance and lead to acute kidney injury, particularly when dehydration was severe or occurred rapidly.

Gimba explained that acute kidney injury could be reversible when detected early and treated promptly, unlike chronic kidney disease, which may cause permanent damage.

He said it was difficult to determine the exact number of days a person could survive without water before developing kidney injury because the risk depended on the rate and severity of fluid loss.

The specialist identified young children and elderly people as particularly vulnerable to complications associated with dehydration.

He also listed persistent diarrhoea and vomiting, excessive sweating, burns, infections and certain medicines as factors that could contribute to fluid loss or kidney injury.

Gimba further warned that pregnant women experiencing persistent vomiting, pregnancy-related hypertension or severe bleeding during pregnancy and labour could face increased risks.

He advised Nigerians to respond to thirst by taking adequate fluids throughout the day, recommending close to three litres daily for adults, preferably water rather than sugary or carbonated drinks.

The nephrologist also warned that severe fluid loss could cause shock, a potentially life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical intervention.

When to seek medical attention

The specialists urged people experiencing persistent vomiting, severe diarrhoea, substantial bleeding or significantly reduced urine output to seek medical attention rather than rely on self-medication.

Acute kidney injury occurs when the kidneys suddenly lose some or most of their ability to filter waste products from the blood. Although some cases can be reversed with early treatment, delayed intervention may lead to serious complications.

According to medical guidance, untreated severe dehydration can cause acute kidney injury, electrolyte disturbances and circulatory shock.

The experts also advised people to avoid indiscriminate use of medicines, herbal preparations and supplements, some of which may contribute to kidney damage.

As temperatures rise during the dry season, they urged Nigerians to pay attention to their fluid needs, particularly those who work outdoors or engage in strenuous physical activities.

However, people living with kidney failure, heart conditions or other illnesses that require fluid restrictions should follow their doctors’ advice rather than automatically increase their water intake.