A Medical Doctor and Researcher, Naa Adzoa Adzeley Boi-Dsane, has urged the public to regularly check their blood sugar and high blood pressure levels, citing a worrying increase in kidney diseases among young people.

Speaking on TV3 New Day, she expressed concern about the rising prevalence of kidney diseases among the youth, attributing it to people not monitoring their blood sugar and pressure.

In Ghana, many individuals are unknowingly living with high blood pressure and sugar levels, which can significantly impact kidney function. High blood pressure can damage kidney cells, leading to a continuous decline in kidney function.

Discussing the prevalence of kidney disease in children, she mentioned genetic factors as potential contributors.

Dr Boi-Dsane who disclosed that the decline in kidney function usually goes unnoticed at the early, underscored the need for regular screenings.

She advised the public to adopt healthy diets to reduce their risk of the disease.

“Plant-based diets can help prevent kidney diseases. Excessive salt intake contributes to high blood pressure. It's crucial to reduce stress, minimise alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, and limit herbal remedies, as their impact on kidney health isn't widely known.

“Overuse of painkillers like paracetamol and aspirin can also lead to kidney disease.”

The Medical researcher also spoke about how high blood pressure can adversely affect kidney function, leading to kidney disease when pressures are extreme.

“When you have high blood pressure or hypertension, it can affect the kidney. When the pressure is too high or too low, it can cause certain cells in the kidney to die, resulting in kidney disease.”

The President of the Renal Patients Association in Ghana, Baffour Kojo Ahenkorah, shared his personal experience, describing the challenges of living with kidney disease.

“Individuals with kidney disease face significant restrictions, including limited fluid intake and a strict diet regimen. There are many things that every kidney patient is restricted from.

“You are supposed to consume only 500 ml of water a day, and when you need to drink fluids or tea, you have to spread it out throughout the entire day. You cannot imagine living the whole day with just a sachet of water,” Mr. Ahenkorah explained.

Key Facts:

According to the World Health Organization, chronic kidney disease is a gradual decline in kidney function, leading to waste and excess fluid accumulation in the body.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and swelling, among others. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, and obesity.

While some kidney diseases can be treated, chronic kidney disease has no cure, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression.

JKB/ADG