Renowned human rights defender has dispelled rumours spreading that he is in critical condition.
Haki Africa Executive director Hussein Khalid says he is back on his feet after he suffered serious kidney stones disease that forced him to remain underground for a while.
The fearless, vocal, renowned human rights Czar though he admitted that he was taken ill, he received the urgent required medical attention and he is now fully back into human rights activism.
“I experienced severe pains and I could not perform my activism properly, when the pain persisted, I had to seek urgent medical attention,” he revealed.
He said that he was forced to undergo surgery for the stones to be removed, a process that was successfully and a month later, Mr. Khalid is back on his feet and actively engages the community in fighting for their rights.
The veteran human rights defender has been fully immersed into human rights activism, becoming a global icon who has earned international recognition for his tireless efforts in defending human rights and adherence to the rule of law.
“I thank Allah (God) for bringing be back to my normal life discard the rumours that am critically ill, I am fine, safe and sound,” said Mr. Khalid.
Jambo team wishes the Haki Africa executive director well healthwise.
[An image explaining Kidney stones. Photo/Courtesy/Doctors online].
What’s kidney stone?
Kidney stones (Renal lithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside kidneys.
Kidney stones have many causes and can affect any part of urinary tract, from kidneys to the bladder. Often, stones form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.
Passing kidney stones can be quite painful, but the stones usually cause no permanent damage if they’re recognized in a timely fashion. Depending on the situation, one may need pain relievers and drinking a lot of water to pass a kidney stone.
If stones become lodged in the urinary tract, they are associated with urinary infection or cause complications, a surgery is needed.
Symptoms
A kidney stone may not cause symptoms until it moves around within your kidney or passes into the ureter (a tube connecting the kidney and bladder) at that point, one experiences signs and symptoms among them;
- Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
- Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
- Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
- Pain on urination
- Pink, red or brown urine
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Persistent need to urinate
- Urinating more often than usual
- Fever and chills if an infection is present
- Urinating small amounts
Pain caused by a kidney stone may change for instance shifting to a different location or increasing in intensity as the stone moves through urinary tract.
One is advised to see a Doctor if experiences any of such signs and symptoms.
If you experience;
- Pain so severe that you can’t sit still or find a comfortable position
- Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting
- Pain accompanied by fever and chills
- Blood in your urine
- Difficulty passing urine
You are kindly advised to see a Doctor.
Causes
Kidney stones often have no definite, single cause, although several factors may increase risk.
Kidney stones form when urine contains more crystal forming substances such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid than the fluid in urine can dilute.
Urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form.
Types of kidney stones
Knowing the type of kidney stone helps determine the cause and may give clues on how to reduce risk of getting more kidney stones. If possible, try to save a kidney stone if you pass one so that you can take it to a doctor for analysis.
Types include;
- Calcium stones – Most kidney stones are calcium stones, usually in the form of calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a naturally occurring substance found in food and is also made daily by the liver. Some fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and chocolate, have high oxalate content.
Dietary factors, high doses of vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery and several metabolic disorders can increase the concentration of calcium or oxalate in urine.
Calcium stones may also occur in the form of calcium phosphate. This type of stone is more common in metabolic conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis. It may also be associated with certain migraine headaches or with taking certain seizure medications, such as topiramate (Topamax).
[A figure explaining the manifest of kidney stones. Photo/ Courtesy/Doctors Online].
- Struvite stones.Struvite stones form in response to an infection, such as a urinary tract infection. These stones can grow quickly and become quite large, sometimes with few symptoms or little warning.
- Uric acid stones.Uric acid stones can form in people who don’t drink enough fluids or who lose too much fluid, those who eat a high-protein diet, and those who have gout. Certain genetic factors also may increase your risk of uric acid stones.
- Cystine stones.These stones form in people with a hereditary disorder that causes the kidneys to excrete too much of certain amino acids (cystinuria).
[Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, NGO]
