THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR THE TREATMENT OF POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE

WHAT IS POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (PKD)?

Polycystic kidney is a genetic condition, so it is inherited from the parents. In this condition, there is the formation of many fluid-filled sacs called cysts in the kidney, as a result, the kidney becomes enlarged primarily, and finally, it deranges the function of the kidney.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (PKD)?

People who affected by frequently and severe kidney infection
Sex - male are more prone for the polycystic kidney disease
Race- black racial background are more prone for this condition
Multiple pregnancies
Chronic hypertension- people with uncontrollable high blood pressure are also prone
Several episodes of gross hematuria- any reason which cause blood in urine in repeated episodes
Large kidney- if the kidney becomes enlarged due to any pathological condition it also lead to PKD

Complication

High blood pressure -the most common complication is high blood pressure if this raised blood pressure remain untreated it leads to further damage and may cause kidney failure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke
Pregnancy -due to high blood pressure in affected females before pregnancy ,at the time pregnancy affected female may develop complication called preeclampsia(high blood pressure during pregnancy it lead to severe swelling in legs and feet )
Liver and pancreas -formation of cyst in liver and other problems in liver may develop it is a major cause of liver failure, cyst may also form in the pancreas,
Kidney stone-kidney stone form when too much of certain minerals in your accumulate in your urine and this happen due to kidney insufficiency because kidney not work properly in PKD
Bleeding or bursting of cyst -if the PKD remain untreated and the size of cyst increases with the time it may burst
Colon problems-diverticulosis formed in colon,it means a pouches and sacs are developed in the colon it is developed due to infection and inflammation of the colon and also lead to weakness of colon
Brain aneurysm- balloon-like bulging occur occur in blood vessels,it may bleed if it ruptures.people with PKD are more prone for development aneurysm

Symptoms & Causes

Majority of the persons not getting symptoms if the cyst is less than 0.5inches but if the cyst size increase it cause various symptoms such as

symptoms are

Pain or tenderness in the abdomen
Blood in urine
Frequent Urination
Urinary tract infection
Kidney stone
Pain or heaviness in the back
Skin become pale
Pain in joints
Nail abnormalities
High blood pressure
Headache
The size of abdomen increase due enlarged kidney
Pain in both sides of the abdomen

If the baby born with the PKD

Swollen belly
High blood pressure
Breathing problem
Vomiting of breast milk
Problems in growth of baby

Causes

As we know it is a genetic disease so it run in family and inherited from parents ,rarely it is caused by genetic mutations suddenly

PKD is generally inherited,it is less common PKD occurs with serious kidney problems .

Types of PKD

There are three types of pkd

Autosomal dominant ADPKD (also called adult PKD)-in this type of pkd symptoms appear at the age of 30 and 40 that’s why this type also called adult PKD ,this disease is occur if one parent have PKD ,and only one affected parent is required to transmit the disease to child

If one parent is suffering from PKD then each child has a 50% chance of developing pkd. This type is very common among all type

Autosomal recessive PKD -this type is less common , in this typy the symptoms appear shortly after birth ,even in worm also .both parents are required to pass the abnormal genes.if both parents carry abnormal genes ,each child has a 25% chance of developing the disease
Acquired cystic kidney disease- This type is not inherited so it is related to chronic condition of kidney means people who have kidney problems from long time those people are prone for developing acquired cystic kidney disease

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

ADPKD and ARPKD both are inherited so your family history are very important for making diagnosis
Medical history is also important to rule out any previous medical conditions
Imaging test - all three types of PKD require imaging test to know the status of kidney and liver such as
Abdominal ultrasound- this test help in finding of cyst in kidney
Abdominal CT scan - this test is done for detecting smaller cyst in the kidneys
Abdominal MRI -this test is also use to know the size of the kidneys and also for looking cysts.
DNA -. DNA study also done to make diagnosis

Treatment

The main aim of the treatment is to manage the symptoms and also prevents from complications

Conventional treatment for polycystic kidney disease are painkillers, medicine for high blood pressure , antibiotics for UTI,some doctors also give diuretics to remove excess fluid from the body

If the kidney become failure then dialysis is recommended by the doctor for saving life

Surgery- sometimes kidney transplant also require in emergency condition

Management

Management of PKD are very important because it has no permanent cure only symptomatic relief are possible

Keep your blood pressure in normal range
Take salt restricted diet
Keep healthy blood sugar level
Maintain healthy weight
Stop consuming alcohol or any stimulating agent
Stop smoking

Homeopathic management

Homeopathy medicines are also effective in PKD it gives safe and natural treatment , this disease is well managed by homeopathy also prevents further complications

some medicine are

Cuprum met,digitalis,glonoine,Kali chloricum, mercurius corrosivus,plumbum, phosphorus,terebinth, cantharis, Belladonna,arsenic album,aurum muriaticum

Do's and Don'ts

Do's

Do exercise daily
Drink lots of water
Eat healthy diet
Eat low salt and low sugar diet
Eat green vegetables and fruits
Always be cautious for blood pressure and sugar level

Don'ts

Avoid stress
Avoid junk food
Avoid caffeine
Stop alcohol
Avoid smoking