POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Controlling The Symptoms From Cyst Growth

What Is Polycystic Kidney Disease?

Polycystic kidney disease (also called PKD) causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys. PKD an inherited disorder that is passed from parents to children through genes. These cysts are filled with fluid. If too many cysts grow or if they get too big, the kidneys can become damaged. PKD cysts can slowly replace much of the kidneys, reducing kidney function and leading to kidney failure.

If you have PKD or a family history of it, contact our kidney specialists at Richmond Nephrology Associates for care so we can help manage it and its effects on other organs.

Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease

How Common Is Polycystic Kidney Disease?

In the United States, about 600,000 people have PKD. It is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. It is found in all races and occurs equally in men and women. It causes about 5% of all kidney failure.

Besides The Kidney, What Else Is Affected By Polycystic Kidney Disease?

PKD can affect other organs besides the kidney. People with PKD may have cysts in their liver, pancreas, spleen, ovaries and large bowel. Cysts in these organs usually do not cause serious problems but can in some people. PKD can also affect the brain or heart. If PKD affects the brain, it can cause an aneurysm that can burst, resulting in a stroke or even death. If PKD affects the heart, the valves can become floppy, resulting in a heart murmur in some patients.

If you have PKD or a family history of it, contact our kidney specialists at Richmond Nephrology Associates for care so we can help manage it and the effects on other organs.

Clues That Someone Has Polycystic Kidney Disease

Most people do not develop symptoms until they are 30 to 40 years old. The first noticeable signs and symptoms may include:

  • Back or side pain

  • An increase in the size of the abdomen

  • Blood in the urine

  • Frequent bladder or kidney infections

  • High blood pressure

  • Fluttering or pounding in the chest

How Is PKD Treated?

At present, there is no cure for PKD. However, a lot of research is being done. Recent studies suggest that drinking plain water throughout the day and avoiding caffeine in beverages can slow the growth of cysts. Research is also helping us understand the genetic basis of PKD.

Many supportive treatments can be done to control symptoms, help slow the growth of cysts, and help prevent or slow down the loss of kidney function in people with PKD.  These include:

  • Control of blood pressure

  • Prompt treatment with antibiotics of a bladder or kidney infection

  • Lots of fluid when blood in the urine is first noted

  • Medication to control pain

  • Healthy lifestyle with regard to smoking cessation, exercise, weight control and reduced salt intake

  • Drinking lots of plain water throughout the day

  • Avoiding caffeine in all beverages

If you have PKD or a family history of it, contact our kidney specialists at Richmond Nephrology Associates for care so we can help manage it and the effects on other organs.

Types of PKD

The three main types of PKD are:

  • Autosomal Dominant PKD (also called PKD or ADPKD) – This form of the disease is passed from parent to child by dominant inheritance. In other words, only one copy of the abnormal gene is needed to cause the disease. Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 30 and 40, but they can begin earlier, even in childhood. ADPKD is the most common form of PKD. About 90 percent of all PKD cases are ADPKD.

  • Infantile or Autosomal Recessive PKD (also called ARPKD) – This form of the disease is passed from parent to child by recessive inheritance. Symptoms can begin in the earliest months of life, even in the womb. It tends to be very serious, progresses rapidly, and is often fatal in the first few months of life. This form of ARPKD is extremely rare. It occurs in 1 out of 25,000 people.

  • Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease (also called ACKD) – ACKD can happen in kidneys with long-term damage and severe scarring, so it is often associated with kidney failure and dialysis. About 90 percent of people on dialysis for five years develop ACKD. People with ACKD usually seek help because they notice blood in their urine. This is because the cysts bleed into the urinary system, which discolors urine.