Polycystic Kidney Disease Facts
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic condition in which multiple fluid-filled sacs or cysts develop throughout the kidneys.
Polycystic Kidney Disease Causes PKD is an inherited disease. This means that it is passed on from parents to children through genes. There are two types of PKD. 90% of people with polycystic kidney disease causes, or adult PKD. The remaining 10% have autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), which affects infants and children. ADPKD, or adult PKD, occurs when one parent has passed the gene on to a child. Because the gene is dominant, there is a 50% chance that a child will get PKD if one parent has the disease. In some cases, however, this form of PKD can occur spontaneously as a result of a new genetic mutation and is not passed on from parents. ARPKD is the rarer form of PKD. ARPKD happens when each parent is a "silent carrier." This means that the parents carry the gene but are not affected by PKD. There is a 25% chance that a child born to parents that are both carriers will get the disease. If only one parent carries the gene, children will not be affected. Polycystic Kidney Disease Symptoms and Complications The kidneys, which are each about the size of a fist, play three major roles:
The most common symptoms of PKD include back or side pain (between the ribs and hips), tenderness around the abdomen, or a feeling of fullness. Someone with PKD might experience:
People with PKD have a 5% to 10% risk of developing an intracranial (brain) aneurysm (bulging in the wall of a blood vessel). Some aneurysms can leak or rupture, causing symptoms such as sudden severe headache, nausea and vomiting, and pain when moving the neck. These symptoms require immediate medical attention. Cysts may also appear in other parts of the body such as the liver, pancreas, colon, testes, and brain. About one-quarter of people with PKD also develop weakened heart valves, which can sometimes lead to the need for valve replacement surgery. Making the Diagnosis Family history is important in reaching a diagnosis. The less common ARPKD can only be diagnosed through testing. The most reliable way to diagnose polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is by an ultrasound of the kidneys – the images allow the doctors to see the cysts, and more specifically, their size and how numerous they are. Occasionally, PKD is discovered by accident during an ultrasound or through blood or urine tests being done for other reasons. Blood tests can show a buildup of toxins such as urea, while urine tests can show that the kidneys aren't filtering properly, allowing protein or red blood cells to pass through. When PKD cysts are quite numerous and large, doctors are sometimes able to palpate (feel) them. CT or CAT (computed tomography) scans and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) also allow doctors to see the cysts, but the diagnosis can usually be made with an ultrasound. Polycystic Kidney Disease Treatment and Prevention Although PKD does not have a cure, specific therapy, or treatment, most people with PKD can lead a normal life. The goal of polycystic kidney disease treatment is to ease the symptoms and prevent infections and other problems that can make the condition worse. Polycystic kidney disease herbal treatment is needed to keep complications (such as kidney failure) from occurring or to delay their development. Pain: In order to relieve pain from the cysts, the larger cysts can sometimes be drained of the fluid, relieving pressure on the area around them. To do this, a small catheter (a very small, flexible tube) is inserted into the cyst to remove the fluid. In severe cases, surgery might be needed to remove the cysts, but this is usually only a temporary solution. Since many pain medications are removed from the body by the kidneys, people with PKD should check with their doctor or pharmacist before starting any medications for pain. Hypertension: Controlling high blood pressure is important to prevent further kidney damage. Polycystic kidney disease natural treatment of high blood pressure might involve changes in lifestyle (exercise, diet, stress reduction) and medications. Urinary tract infections (UTIs): UTIs should be treated as soon as possible, usually with antibiotics, since infection can cause further damage to the kidneys. Kidney failure: If PKD results in kidney failure (end-stage renal failure) and all other treatments have not stopped the progression of kidney damage, dialysis, or a kidney transplant may be considered. Dialysis is a process that removes excess fluids and wastes from the bloodstream using a membrane – instead of a kidney – as a filter. Kidney transplants are relatively common now and have a good success rate. Someone who has had a successful transplant can go on to live a normal, healthy life for many years. Source Link : http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/condition/getcondition/polycystic-kidney-disease
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