ABOUT THE DISEASE

The kidneys are two fist sized organs, located in the upper part of a person’s abdomen, towards the back. The kidneys filter wastes and extra fluid from the blood to form urine. They also regulate amounts of certain vital substances in the body.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder responsible for the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. These cysts are filled with fluid and can enlarge the kidneys while replacing much of the normal structure, resulting in reduced kidney function and even leading to kidney failure.

CAUSES

It is an inherited disorder. Children of parents who have PKD have a 50% chance of getting the disease. It affects more men than women.

There are two kinds of PKD -

• - Autosomal dominant PKD: most common inherited form. Symptoms usually develop later in life between the ages of 30 and 40, but they can begin earlier, even in childhood. About 90 percent of all PKD cases are autosomal dominant PKD.
• - Autosomal recessive PKD: is a rare inherited and dangerous form. Symptoms begin in the earliest months of life, even in the womb.

SYMPTOMS

Sometimes no symptoms might be identified, in other cases a combination of the following might occur:

• • High Blood Pressure
• • Pain in the back and side
• • Blood in the urine
• • Drowsiness
• • Nail Abnormalities
• • Frequent kidney infections

DIAGNOSIS

- Medical history
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Abdominal CT Scan
- IVP
- Amniocentesis, for diagnosis in unborn baby

TREATMENT METHODS

There is no complete cure for PKD available. However various treatment options to manage the disease are available:

- Blood pressure reducing medicines to control high blood pressure.

- Medicine and surgery to reduce pain.

- Antibiotics to resolve urinary tract infections.

- In cases of kidney failure or End stage renal disease:dialysisor Kidney Transplant.

You may also like to learn about:

Pyelonephritis
Hydronephrosis
Polycystic ovary disease
Kidney cancer
Renal failure chronic
Glomerulonephritis