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We run a weekly Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Clinic at our facilities in Accra. You will find valuable information about CKD and our clinic on this page. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to being your health partner.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a devastating silent killer. It has no major symptoms until the kidney has completely failed.

Research from sub-Saharan Africa have shown that about 12–23% of adults have kidney disease and are therefore at risk of developing End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) that will require dialysis or kidney transplantation.

The two most common causes are long-standing diabetes and hypertension.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to properly filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. It is often a result of underlying health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, or certain kidney conditions.

CKD progresses in stages, with symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, and changes in urination patterns only becoming noticeable as kidney function deteriorates.

Early detection and management are crucial to slow down progression and prevent complications.

If left untreated, CKD can progress to kidney failure and early cardiovascular disease. When the kidneys stop working, dialysis or kidney transplant is needed for survival. Kidney failure treated with dialysis or kidney transplant is called End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

What Causes Kidney Disease?

The two most common causes of kidney disease are:

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition characterised by high blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels, which cause long-term damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

High blood sugar levels may narrow and clog blood vessels in the kidneys, resulting in kidney damage and albumin in urine.

Diabetes can also harm the nerves in the body, which carry signals from the brain to the bladder. Damaged nerves may cause an inability to sense bladder fullness, thus putting strain on the kidneys.

Long-term urine retention can result in urinary tract infections caused by bacteria that thrive in urine with high sugar levels. These infections can affect both the bladder and the kidneys.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, commonly known as hypertension, occurs when the force of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels is consistently high.

In general, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher.

High blood pressure causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow, eventually damaging and weakening them throughout the body, including the kidneys. The constriction restricts blood flow. If your kidneys' blood vessels get damaged, they may no longer function effectively.

What Should I Do If I Am At Higher Risk For Kidney Disease?

Take it seriously and Get Tested for it.

Most people with early kidney disease do not have symptoms. That is why it is important to be tested.

There are two simple tests to check for kidney disease:

Urine Test

Your urine will be tested for protein. Your body requires protein. However, it should be in your blood, not in your urine. An amount of protein in your urine may indicate that your kidneys are not filtering your blood properly. This could be an indication of early renal disease. The presence of protein in your urine is known as "albuminuria."

Blood Test

Your blood will be examined for a waste product called creatinine. Creatinine is derived from muscular tissue. When the kidneys suffer damage, they have difficulty filtering creatinine from the bloodstream. Next, your creatinine level is employed in a math formula with your age, race, and gender to calculate your Glomerular Filtration Rate. Your GFR tells your doctor how well your kidneys are operating.

You should also have your blood pressure monitored regularly. High blood pressure increases your risk of developing renal disease. Regular checks help your doctor detect and treat high blood pressure. This helps to reduce the chance of kidney damage.

How Is Kidney Failure Treated?

There are two treatments for kidney failure – Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation.

Dialysis

Dialysis is a life-sustaining procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop functioning properly. The two types of dialysis available are: Haemodialysis or Peritoneal Dialysis.

Kidney Transplantation

A kidney transplant is a surgery done to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. The kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor. Family members or others who are a good match may be able to donate one of their kidneys.

Where Can I Get More Information?

If you have questions, speak to your healthcare team. They know you and can answer questions about you.

Nephrology Consultation

Our Chronic Kidney Disease clinics are as follows:

• Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays - Nyaho Medical Centre.
• Wednesdays – St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital (SMSH)