Polycystic kidney disease is a condition where fluid-filled sacs called cysts form inside the kidneys. Over time, these cysts can grow and cause the kidneys to become larger. Autosomal Dominant PKD is the most common inherited kidney disease and affects about 1 in 500 people worldwide.
Healthy kidneys filter waste and extra fluid from the blood, helping to keep your body in balance. In PKD, as the cysts grow, the kidneys can become damaged, leading to issues such as high blood pressure, infections, or even kidney failure. PKD can also affect other parts of the body, not just the kidneys.
Most of the time, PKD is inherited—it tends to run in families. “Autosomal dominant” means that if a parent has ADPKD, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting it.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Some people with PKD don’t have any symptoms for many years. When symptoms do happen, they can include:
- Pain in the back or sides
- A feeling of fullness in the abdomen
- Blood in the urine
- Kidney stones (which may cause pain and blood in the urine)
- PKD can also lead to problems elsewhere in the body, such as:
- Brain aneurysms – bulging blood vessels in the brain
- Heart valve problems – usually without symptoms
- Liver cysts – which can cause discomfort or bloating
- Hernias – weak spots in the abdominal wall that can bulge out
How Do Doctors Diagnose PKD?
Doctors can detect PKD using:
- Imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to look at the kidneys
- Family History and Genetic tests to check for the abnormal genes linked to PKD
How Is PKD Treated?
There is no cure yet, but treatment can help manage symptoms and slow the disease:
- High blood pressure is often treated first to protect kidney function. This may involve medication, diet changes, and other lifestyle steps.
- Eating a kidney friendly diet and drinking plenty of water
- Avoiding smoking
- Infections can be treated with antibiotics.
- Pain may be managed with certain medications.
- Surgery may be needed for brain aneurysms or hernias.
A medicine called tolvaptan (brand name: Jynarque) may help slow down PKD for some people, but it’s not right for everyone and can cause side effects. Your Renal Specialists of Houston provider will discuss whether it’s a good option for you.
What If My Kidneys Stop Working?
Fortunately, many people with ADPKD live full lives for decades before having serious kidney problems. But if the kidneys fail, you’ll need treatment to replace their function, either dialysis or kidney transplant.
Should My Family Be Tested?
Since PKD is usually genetic, adult family members may want to talk with their doctor about getting tested. Whether to get tested is a personal decision, and your doctor can help weigh the pros and cons.
Doctors usually don’t test children unless they show symptoms. However, children in families affected by PKD should have their blood pressure checked every year.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to call your providers of Renal Specialists of Houston.