Celebrities And Kidney/Liver Predicament

For years now, Nollywood actors have fallen victim to one ailment or the other, but the commonest is liver and kidney failure. See the reasons below:

According to veteran actor, Jibola Dabo in an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend Entertainment Rendezvous, entertainers need to make out time to check their health because of the rigors of their job. He expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of care and support for the actors in the industry, while calling on them to be steadfast and work towards making their health a priority instead of waiting for anyone to help them with when they fall ill.

His advice came on the heels of continued illness and death in the industry which many have allegedly linked to the evil lifestyles of these celebrities.

Though it cannot be categorically ascertained that these celebrities are chain smokers or drunks, but the ailment which many industry watchers have continued to opine that only the above stated reason could be the easiest way to fall prey to these ailments.

Just recently, Nollywood actor, Leo Mezie was struck down by a kidney related ailment which has continued to claim the lives of several Nigerian entertainers.

News of his ailment came barely a month after popular music producer, OJB Jezreel died after suffering a similar condition. The actor, Leonard, who is now a shadow of his handsome self needs some N10 million to undergo a kidney transplant. He shared his account details (MEZIE LEONARD, GTBANK, 0125346916) and welcomed contributions towards his ailment.

The actor became popular after his role in the 2003 movie ‘Labista.’ He hails from Umuahia in Abia State, Nigeria and is married. He has featured in several movies like ‘Close Enemy, King’s Sleepless Night, Empty Throne among others.

There are several causes of kidney disease, a condition that affects Nigeria celebrities, at least every year. Learning about the root causes of kidney disease can help one get the right treatment and potentially preserve the remaining kidney function.

Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney disease, responsible for approximately 44 per cent of all kidney failure cases. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) is the second leading cause, accountable for about 28 per cent. Glomerulonephritis, a general term for many types of kidney inflammation, as well as genetic diseases such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD), autoimmune diseases, birth defects and other problems can also cause kidney disease, so said a specialist in Abuja.

Liver disease is any disturbance of liver function that causes illness. The liver is responsible for many critical functions within the body and should it become diseased or injured, the loss of those functions can cause significant damage to the body. Liver disease is also referred to as hepatic disease.

Liver disease is a broad term that covers all the potential problems that cause the liver to fail to perform its designated functions.

The liver is the largest solid organ in the body; and is also considered a gland because among its many functions, it makes and secretes bile. The liver is located in the upper right portion of the abdomen protected by the rib cage. It has two main lobes that are made up of tiny lobules. The liver cells have two different sources of blood supply. The hepatic artery supplies oxygen rich blood that is pumped from the heart, while the portal vein supplies nutrients from the intestine and the spleen.

Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of liver disease. Alcohol is directly toxic to liver cells and can cause liver inflammation, referred to as alcoholic hepatitis. In chronic alcohol abuse, fat accumulation occurs in liver cells affecting their ability to function.

Cirrhosis is a late-stage of liver disease. Scarring of the liver and loss of functioning liver cells cause the liver to fail. Significant amounts of liver cells need to be damaged before the whole organ fails to function.

Other celebs that have died from kidney related ailments include, Nollywood actor, Muna Obiekwe, veteran broadcaster Nzau Kalulu, Lagos nightclub boss, Akeem Sodeinde, Enebeli Elebuwa, Chaz B and several others. Actor Fred Ekata also died of kidney.