Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease
The Polycystic Kidney Disease occurs as a result of kidney genetic disorders. It occurs in human as well as animals. When a person has Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), physicians find many cysts that are filled with fluid in the kidneys. These fluid-filled cysts cause kidney enlargement and may damage the liver and pancreas. In some cases, the harm may influence on the patients' hearts and brains as well.

It is estimated that more than 600,000 Americans are affected with polycystic kidney disease. Globally, it affects more than 12.5 million people. The severity of the spread of the disease prompted concerned parties to form an organization that specifically aim to fight with Polycystic Kidney Disease named The PKD Foundation.

When the disease is chronic, it turns to ADPKD, in which, multiple cysts damage both the kidneys. This may happen with both the PKD-1 or PKD 2 gene mutations, which are genetic disorders. Multiple cysts start their expansions from utero or somewhere from nephron. When they enlarge with fluids, they pressurize nearby parenchyma restricting renal functions.

More than 90 percent of Polycystic Kidney Disease is considered as genetic, from which, more than 90 percent occurs as a result of autosomal dominant trait. The remaining 10 percent occurs as a result of spontaneous mutations. The PKD-1 gene causes 85 percent cases while PKD-2 gene (chromosome 4) causes 15 percent polycystic kidney disease.

People who have Polycystic kidney disease have various symptoms including abdominal discomfort, urinary tract infection, hematuria, abdominal mass, hypertension, increase of serum creatinine, renal pain and renal insufficiency. Half of the patients may get ADPKD, the terminal renal disease (ESRD) when they are about 60 years old. Hypertension, a common discomfort among polycystic kidney disease patients, triggers the renal dysfunction.

Pain in the stomach, gastro esophageal reflux and satiety are common symptoms as enlarged kidneys pressurize neighboring organs. Enlarged cysts may rupture causing severe pain to the patients and the uric acid and calcium oxalate that amalgamate in kidneys due to ruptures can result in kidney stones as well.

Frequent occurrences of ADPKD situation may cause urinary tract infection, which is a major problem. This situation produces fever, pain and chills to the ailing patients. When diagnosing, patients' blood culture can be positive and urine culture may give negative results.

Treatment for Polycystic kidney disease is greatly supportive to reduce symptoms. The gradual declining of kidney function cannot be reversed with any particular therapies. Hypertension should be controlled lower than 130/85 to control harm to the kidneys. Drainage method is used to empty enlarged cysts and it may include surgical drainage as well. If the kidneys are extremely large, then kidney transplantation may be needed.