Polycystic Kidney Disease is an inherited disease that produces clusters of cysts on the kidneys. Cysts are water-filled sacks that are not cancerous. When they inflame, they accumulate more of the water like fluid. These cysts can also develop on the liver and other places in the patient’s body. These cysts can cause a wide variety of complications, along with the disease being very detrimental to one’s health.
1. Risks and Symptoms
High blood pressure is one of the serious complications caused by polycystic disease. Kidney failure is another common problem experienced by those with polycystic kidney disease. Since polycystic kidney disease varies greatly in severity, it is possible to control many of the symptoms and complications. Lifestyle changes can greatly increase the betterment of the symptoms. Some of these symptoms include the following:
- High Blood Pressure.
- Back or Side Pain.
- Headaches.
- Blood in the Urine.
- Kidney Stones.
- Kidney or Urinary Tract infections.
- Frequent urination.
2. Onset of the Disease
Many people go for years with no signs or symptoms of polycystic kidney disease. Since Polycystic Kidney disease is hereditary, the disease runs in families. The disease is passed down from the parent; it is not a disease where both parents have to have the disease for it to be passed on. There are two types of Polycystic Kidney Disease.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the first type, which is where only one parent has the gene. It most often shows the symptoms after age 30. However people younger than 30 have shown the signs and symptoms also.
Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease is the second type. This is the case where both parents have the gene and it is passed on. This one is not as common as the dominant version. The symptoms generally show shortly after the birth or during the teen years.
Polycystic Kidney Disease is the fourth leading cause of failure in the kidneys. There are roughly 600,000 people in the United States who have been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease. When Polycystic Kidney Disease affects the brain, an aneurysm can occur. When Polycystic Kidney Disease affects the heart, it will cause the heart valves to become floppy, creating a heart murmur in patients.
3. Treatment and Prevention
While there is currently no cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease, changing lifestyle habits can improve some symptoms a little. Blood Pressure monitoring is necessary to maintain normal levels. Being treated promptly for any kidney or bladder infection, drinking plenty of fluids to maintain hydration and a healthy diet and exercise routine is always beneficial.
Some patients do require surgery to drain the cysts that develop; this also helps relieve some of the pain caused by Polycystic Kidney Disease. Lowering the salt intake for affected individuals will also help produce fewer cysts. Polycystic Kidney Disease does slowly get worse with time. With proper medical care, the symptoms can be relieved for many years and people can live a normal life.