Polycystic kidney disease: causes, symptoms and treatment & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is polycystic kidney disease?

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disease caused by a genetic disorder. This condition causes many cysts (poly) to grow on the kidneys. Kidney cysts are fluid-filled, but not cancerous, sacs. These sacs can enlarge and change the normal structure of the kidneys due to changes in size.

This disease is divided into two types, namely autosomal dominant polycystic kidney and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney.

Unlike simple cystic kidney disease which is generally harmless, this genetic disorder can cause complications. If not treated properly, PKD can lead to chronic kidney disease and decrease kidney function over time.

How common is this disease?

Polycystic kidney is a fairly common genetic disorder. One in 400 to 1,000 people suffer from this disease and it occurs worldwide and affects all races.

This disease also occurs in a balanced manner, both in men and women. However, men are more at risk of developing kidney failure due to this genetic disorder. In addition, women with this disease and hypertension who have been pregnant three times are also at risk of developing kidney failure.

Type

What are the types of polycystic kidney disease?

Polycystic kidney disease has two types which are divided based on the age of the patient and the pattern of spread through the family, namely as follows.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney

This type of disease is often referred to as "adult PKD" because it may not show any symptoms until you are between the ages of 30 and 50. As the most common type, autosomal dominant is more at risk in children who have parents with this disease.

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney

In contrast to autosomal dominant polycystic kidneys, autosomal recessive can cause cysts to grow in the kidneys and liver. In addition, this type of disease is quite rare because it can occur when two people who have the disease gene have children.

Therefore, autosomal recessive occurs in only a quarter of children who come from partners with the disease gene.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of polycystic kidneys?

Most people I live with polycystic kidney disease no symptoms because it depends on the size of the cyst. In addition, the age factor is getting older also affects the severity of the symptoms of this disease.

Here are some signs and symptoms of this disease based on the type.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney generally causes two symptoms, namely headache and pain in the back and sides of the body. The pain will vary from person to person. Here are other symptoms to watch out for:

• blood in the urine (hematuria),
• high blood pressure (can occur before the cyst grows),
• stomach pain,
• urinary tract infection (UTI),
• kidney stones,
• heart valve disorders, and
• decreased kidney function to cause kidney failure.

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney

Symptoms caused by this type of PKD usually occur in babies, even before they are born. Children with this disease often experience the following symptoms.

• Reduced amniotic fluid around the baby in the womb.
• The baby's face is abnormally shaped due to insufficient amniotic fluid.
• An enlarged stomach in children due to enlarged kidneys, liver, or spleen.
• Urinating frequently.
• High blood pressure.
• Lung problems.
• Kidney failure in childhood.

The severity of kidney disease due to this genetic disorder varies considerably. If not treated immediately, the risk of death in infants is quite high.

When should I see a doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease can reduce the severity of the polycystic kidney. In fact, treatment as soon as possible can prevent other medical conditions.

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have any questions, please consult a doctor immediately. The reason is, everyone's body reacts differently.

Causes and risk factors

What are the causes of polycystic kidneys?

Gene abnormalities, aka genetic defects, are the main cause of this disease. In other words, it is a disease that runs in the family. Although rare, genetic mutations can also cause cysts to appear in this disease.

If you have relatives with PKD, you are most likely to have this condition or at least carry the genes that cause it.

Meanwhile, if you carry the gene that causes PKD but you don't get the disease, you are called carrier . This is what makes it possible for someone to get PKD of the autosomal recessive type.

What makes a person more at risk?

This is an inherited disease. This means that if none of your family members have it, you have no potential for this disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

How is this disease diagnosed?

There are certain tests used to diagnose this disease. This examination aims to detect the size and number of kidney cysts that you have. In addition, tests are performed so that the amount of healthy kidney tissue can be analyzed.

Here are some kidney tests to detect PKD.

Imaging test

An ultrasound imaging test is used with the aid of a wand-like device called a transducer. The device will then be placed on the body and emit sound waves which will later show an image of the body's structure.

Ultrasound is used so that the doctor can see the cysts on the kidneys. Apart from ultrasound, CT scans and MRI are also used to measure the volume of cysts and help doctors analyze disease progression.

Blood test

In some cases, blood tests are also performed to analyze for abnormal genes that cause polycystic kidney disease. Genetic testing is not recommended for everyone because it is quite expensive and sometimes fails to detect PKD in about 15% of patients.

However, this examination is quite effective when it is supported by certain factors as follows.

• Has a diagnosis of uncertain imaging test results.
• Have a family history of PKD and want to donate a kidney.
• Age less than 30 years with a history of negative PKD and ultrasound.

What are the treatments for polycystic kidneys?

Patients with polycystic kidneys do not recover completely. However, medications and treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing complications of the disease.

The following are some of the treatment options that patients will undergo based on the symptoms they are experiencing.

Painkillers

In general, over-the-counter pain relievers can help relieve abdominal pain. However, you need to consult with your doctor first about the choice of pain medication to be used. The reason is, some painkillers such as ibuprofen can damage the kidneys.

In addition, surgery or surgery to shrink the cyst can also be done to relieve pain.

Antibiotics

One of the symptoms that is quite often found in PKD patients is urinary tract infection. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you experience symptoms of a UTI, such as painful urination.

Apart from the two drugs above, there are several other treatment options that can be undertaken by polycystic kidney patients as follows.

• Control blood pressure with a low salt diet and blood pressure medications.
• Diuretics (water pills) to remove excess fluid from the body.
• Dialysis and kidney transplant if you have entered the stage of kidney failure.

Complications

What are the complications of polycystic kidney disease?

If this disease is not treated properly, there are a number of complications that can worsen the health of your kidneys, namely:

• high blood pressure,
• chronic kidney failure,
• pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia,
• the appearance of a cyst in the liver,
• development of aneurysms in the brain,
• heart valve abnormalities,
• colon problems such as diverticulosis, and
• chronic pain on the side or back of the body.

Prevention

What can I do at home to treat polycystic kidneys?

PKD (polycystic kidney disease) cannot be prevented or cured. However, you can still live a healthy life in a state of kidney disease.

You may be able to maintain kidney health by changing your lifestyle to be healthier, namely as follows.

• Quit smoking.
• Watch your diet and consult a nutritionist.
• Follow a low salt, low protein diet.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day.
• Follow the medical advice from your doctor.

If you have specific questions or conditions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution.