Former One Direction singer Liam Payne has tragically passed away at the age of 31. Payne was allegedly found unresponsive in his hotel room in Buenos Aires on Thursday, October 17. The cause of death is currently under investigation.
Payne, known for his powerful vocals and charismatic personality, rose to fame as a member of the popular boy band. He had been open about his past struggles with mental health and physical ailments, sharing his experiences in the 2011 book, Dare to Dream – Life as One Direction.
In the book, Payne revealed that he was born three weeks premature and faced significant health challenges during his childhood. He underwent numerous medical tests and treatments, including 32 injections daily, to address kidney issues that affected his health.
“They discovered that one of my kidneys wasn’t working properly, and it had scarred. I had to have 32 injections in my arm in the morning and evening to try and make me better. I’ve still got both kidneys but one doesn’t work so I have to be careful not to drink too much, even water, and I have to keep myself as healthy as possible,” he wrote in the book.
Dr B. Vijay Kiran, Senior Consultant Nephrologist, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Siliguri, explained that kidney scarring, or fibrosis, is a serious condition that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This irreversible process occurs when nephrons—the functional units of the kidney—sustain damage from infections, congenital issues, or other stressors.
“Just as a pimple over the face may heal with a scar, damaged kidney tissue can become non-functional, leading to hypertension, proteinuria (albuminuria), and increased creatinine levels. Scarring can also be seen in other organs like the liver and the heart,” he said in an interaction.
What does kidney scarring mean for your health?
Dr Kiran said there are two different types of scarring. The first is congenital, which is a result of dysplastic kidneys with low nephron endowment. Second, infection-related scarring, often due to vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), leads to recurrent urinary tract infections in childhood.
Kidney scarring, Dr Kiran noted, can result in:
– Hypertension
– Proteinuria
– Elevated Creatinine
– Anaemia-(due to EPO deficiency)
– Mineral Bone Disease- (from vitamin D dysmetabolism)
In this condition, you must avoid smoking and drinking, which Liam struggled with as he was open about dealing with alcoholism. Understanding kidney scarring is crucial for preventing CKD and its complications. Early intervention can help preserve kidney function and improve patient outcomes.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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