Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disease in which several cysts of different sizes develop within the kidneys, causing them to enlarge and change shape. Also, when the number of cysts is very high, the kidney may begin to have more difficulty functioning, which can lead to kidney failure.
In addition to affecting the kidneys, this disease also increases the risk of developing cysts in other parts of the body, especially in the liver. See what signs may indicate a cyst in your liver.
- While the presence of several cysts in the kidney can lead to serious complications.
- In almost all cases it is possible to follow treatment.
- Which involves changes in daily habits.
- To relieve symptoms and prevent the onset of complications.
In many cases, the polycystic kidney may have no symptoms, especially in the early years, when cysts are not yet small; however, as they appear and increase in size, cysts can cause symptoms such as:
In addition, people with renal polycystosis also have more common urinary and kidney infections, as well as a greater tendency to kidney stones.
If 2 or more of these symptoms occur, it is very important to consult a nephrologist to evaluate kidney function, as even if it is not a sign of a polycystic kidney, it may indicate incorrect organ function.
To confirm the diagnosis, the nephrologist usually requires tests such as kidney ultrasound, CT or MRI, not only to identify the presence of cysts, but also to calculate the amount of healthy tissue.
Renal polycystosis is caused by a change in genes, which causes the kidney to produce bad tissue, leading to cysts, so it is very common for there to be several cases of disease in the family, which can pass from parent to child.
Although very rare, genetic alteration can also occur completely spontaneously and randomly, and is not related to the passage from parents to children.
There is no form of treatment capable of curing the polycystic ovary, however, it is possible to relieve symptoms and avoid complications, so some of the most commonly used treatments include:
In addition to medications, it is also very important to make some lifestyle changes, especially in the diet, as it is recommended to avoid foods with too much salt or too much fat. See what your diet should look like to protect your kidneys.
In more severe cases, where cysts are very large and symptoms cannot be controlled with the drug, your doctor may advise surgery to try to remove some of the affected kidney tissue, for example.
Cysts in the kidney can have several complications, especially when treatment is not performed correctly. Some rooms include:
In addition, in women, renal polycystosis can also cause preeclampsia during pregnancy, endangering the life of both the baby and the pregnant woman. Learn more about preeclampsia.