Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited kidney disease. It is denoted by cysts formation in the kidney and enlargement of the kidney.
- It is the 4th leading cause of kidney failure
- It can also cause developing cysts in the liver and other complication
- It impairs kidney function and eventually lead to kidney damage and failure
Symptoms
Symptoms of polycystic kidney disease:
Certain symptoms of polycystic kidney disease may include:
Causes of Polycystic Kidney Disease:
The cause of Polycystic Kidney Disease is mostly inherited, But less commonly, it can occur in person who can previously any kidney diseases.
There are three types of Polycystic Kidney Disease:
- Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease - Also called adult polycystic kidney disease and account for 90% of cases. Someone who has a parent with polycystic kidney disease has 50% chance of developing such condition
- Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease - It is a much less common type of polycystic kidney disease. Here, both the parent should have polycystic kidney disease to develop polycystic kidney disease for children. The person will have no symptom for polycystic kidney disease if one gene is present.
- Acquired cystic kidney disease- It is not inherited and usually occurs in life. It may develop to patients who have other kidney problems.
Diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease:
A family history and knowing the symptoms can help the doctor to diagnose polycystic kidney disease. Certain diagnose techniques may include:
Treatment
Treatments of polycystic kidney disease:
Some treatments can be used to decrease certain symptoms, which may include:
- Pain medication to decrease pain I abdomen and back
- Blood pressure medication to decrease blood pressure
- Antibiotics which will treat urinary tract infection (UTI)
- A low sodium diet
- Surgery to cut cysts and can relieve symptoms
- Diuretics to help remove excess fluid from the body.
Complications of polycystic kidney disease:
Certain complications can occur due to polycystic kidney disease, such as: