Nephrology
Chronic kidney disease: screening, follow-up and dialysis
Chronic kidney disease can progress for a long time without pain. It is defined by persistent abnormalities in the structure or function of the kidneys, not by a single unusual blood test result.
Written by the Polycrabat Sevamed team · Published on · Updated on
In brief
- The estimated filtration rate and urinary albumin provide complementary information.
- Diabetes and high blood pressure are among the common causes.
- Dialysis is only considered according to the person’s overall condition and specific complications.
Who should be assessed?
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or a family history may benefit from targeted screening. Swelling, tiredness or changes in urination should be reported, but their absence does not rule out kidney damage.
Which tests help understand the situation?
Blood creatinine is used to estimate filtration. Albumin in the urine reflects another form of damage. An abnormality often needs to be confirmed over time. An ultrasound or additional tests look for an obstruction, an inflammatory disease or another cause when the context points to it.
When should dialysis be discussed?
The decision depends on symptoms, the build-up of toxins, water or salt imbalances that are difficult to control and the overall course of the disease, not on a single figure. Preparing in advance makes it possible to discuss the possible options, vascular access or peritoneal dialysis depending on resources and preferences.
How should care be coordinated?
The nephrologist, the general practitioner and the other specialists adjust medicines, nutrition and monitoring. When travelling, a patient on dialysis must arrange the sessions, send the prescriptions and plan for continuity of treatment.
Useful questions to ask
- What is the likely cause, and is it reversible?
- What is my level of risk of progression?
- When should possible kidney replacement therapy be prepared?
Frequently asked questions
Does an abnormal creatinine mean that dialysis is necessary?
No. Interpretation depends on several tests and on the clinical condition.
Can you have kidney disease without pain?
Yes. It is common.
Can a dialysis patient stay in Morocco?
Yes, if their sessions are booked in advance at a dialysis centre, with a complete file: prescription, vascular access, recent tests and serology. The journey is planned around the session schedule.
This content provides general medical information. It does not replace a consultation or a personalised decision by your care team. In case of serious or sudden symptoms, contact the emergency services in your country or a doctor without delay.
Further reading
Pages of the website related to this guide
Related guides
Would you like a file to be reviewed?
The Polycrabat Sevamed coordination team directs your request to the doctors concerned. It does not make any diagnosis.
All Health Info guides
Care pathways and tests
- Organising your medical pathway in Morocco, from request to return
- When to ask for a second opinion? Useful cases and limits
- EVASAN to Morocco: when is it necessary?
- Medical stay in Morocco: preparing continuity of care
- Personalised check-up: which tests according to age and risk?
- CT, MRI, PET scan, ultrasound: which test to choose?
- PET scan in oncology: indications and limits
- Morocco–Africa medical cooperation: missions and skills
Preparing your care in Morocco: practical steps
- Choosing a medical facility in Morocco: the criteria
- Medical estimate for a hospital stay in Morocco
- Cost of a private hospital stay in Morocco: the items
- Visa for medical treatment in Morocco: steps and documents
- Sending your medical file to Morocco: documents and formats
- Referring doctors: referring a patient to Morocco
- Preparing for a hospital stay in Morocco: admission and packing
- Accompanying a relative in hospital in Morocco: the guide
- Flying after an operation and preparing follow-up at home
Medical evacuation and medical transport
Critical care, specialised techniques and rehabilitation
Neurology and neurosurgery
- Stroke: every minute counts, signs, diagnosis and aftercare
- Brain tumours: diagnosis and treatments
- Meningioma: monitoring, surgery or radiosurgery?
- Gamma Knife: indications for brain radiosurgery
- Hydrocephalus: signs, tests and treatments
- Herniated disc: when should you see a neurosurgeon?
- Spine surgery: when is an operation needed?
Cardiology
- High blood pressure: an often silent disease
- Heart rhythm disorders: when should a pacemaker be considered?
- Rheumatic heart disease: protecting the heart valves
- Coronary angiography, angioplasty and stents: when are they useful?
- Heart surgery: assessment, hospital stay and follow-up
- Congenital heart disease in children: signs and treatments
Oncology
- Cancer: preparing a treatment pathway in Morocco
- Cancer: why the multidisciplinary team meeting is essential
- Pathology: reviewing slides before treating cancer
- Breast and gynaecological cancers: screening and diagnosis
- Cervical cancer: from HPV screening to treatment
- Prostate cancer: PSA, MRI, biopsy and treatments
- Liver cancer: diagnosis and choosing the right treatment
- Radiotherapy, brachytherapy, chemotherapy: the differences
- Radiotherapy in Morocco: organising your treatment
Infectious diseases and haematology
- Malaria: signs, diagnosis and prompt treatment
- Meningitis: recognising a neurological and infectious emergency
- Tuberculosis: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up until cure
- HIV: testing, treatment and living with a controlled infection
- Hepatitis B and C: detecting the infection and protecting the liver
- Sickle cell disease: screening, crises and long-term follow-up
- Anaemia: find the cause before treating
Internal medicine, kidneys and breathing
- Diabetes: understanding the diagnosis and preventing complications
- Chronic kidney disease: screening, follow-up and dialysis
- Dialysis during a stay in Morocco: arranging your sessions
- Intragastric balloon: indications in obesity
- Lung nodule: what assessment before deciding on treatment?
Surgery, urology and trauma
- Minimally invasive surgery: benefits, limits and indications
- Orthopaedic surgery in Morocco: joint replacement and fractures
- Inguinal hernia: when to monitor and when to operate?
- Gallstones: when is surgery needed?
- Kidney stones: pain, tests and lithotripsy
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia: urinary symptoms
- Hand injuries: preserving function after trauma
How can progression be slowed?
Treatment targets the cause, blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular risk. Certain medicines protect the kidneys in defined situations, but their doses and tolerance must be monitored. Anti-inflammatory drugs taken without medical advice can worsen certain kidney conditions.