- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- Possible causes
- How the treatment is done
- Possible complications
Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disease in which several cysts of different sizes grow inside the kidneys, causing them to increase in size and change their shape. In addition, when the number of cysts is very high, the kidney may begin to have more difficulty functioning, which may result in kidney failure.
In addition to affecting the kidneys, this disease also increases the risk of developing cysts elsewhere in the body, especially in the liver. See which signs may indicate a cyst in the liver.
Although the presence of several kidney cysts can have serious complications, in almost all cases it is possible to undergo treatment, which involves changes in daily habits, to relieve symptoms and prevent the onset of complications.
Main symptoms
In many cases, the polycystic kidney may not cause any symptoms, especially in the early years, when the cysts are not yet small. However, as they appear and increase in size, cysts can cause symptoms such as:
- High blood pressure; Constant pain in the lower back; Constant headache; Abdominal swelling; Presence of blood in the urine.
In addition, people with polycystic kidney disease also have more frequent urinary and kidney infections, as well as a greater tendency to have kidney stones.
If 2 or more of these symptoms appear, it is very important to consult a nephrologist to evaluate the functioning of the kidneys, because even if it is not a sign of polycystic kidney, it may indicate an incorrect functioning of the organ.
How to confirm the diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis, the nephrologist usually orders tests such as renal ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, not only to identify the presence of the cysts, but also to calculate the amount of healthy tissue.
Possible causes
Polycystic kidney disease is caused by a change in genes, which causes the kidney to produce wrong tissue, resulting in cysts. Thus, it is very common that there are several cases of the disease in the family, which can pass from parents to children.
Although it is very rare, genetic alteration can also happen completely spontaneously and randomly, and is not related to the passage of parents to their children.
How the treatment is done
There is no form of treatment capable of curing the polycystic ovary, however, it is possible to relieve symptoms and avoid complications. Thus, some of the most used treatments include:
- High blood pressure medications, such as Captopril or Lisinopril: are used when blood pressure does not decrease and help prevent damage to healthy kidney tissue; Anti-inflammatories and analgesics, such as Acetominophene or Ibuprofen: allow to relieve pain caused by the presence of cysts in the kidney; Antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin or Ciprofloxacin: are used when there is a urinary or kidney infection, to prevent the appearance of new lesions in the kidney.
In addition to the remedies, it is also very important to make some lifestyle changes, especially in the diet, since it is recommended to avoid foods with too much salt or too much fat. Check how the diet should be to protect the kidney.
In the most severe cases, where the cysts are very large and the symptoms cannot be controlled with the medication, the doctor may advise to have surgery, to try to remove a part of the affected kidney tissue, for example.
Possible complications
The presence of cysts in the kidney can have several complications, especially when treatment is not done properly. Some include:
- High blood pressure; Renal failure; Growth of cysts in the liver; Development of cerebral aneurysm; Changes in heart valves.
In addition, in women, polycystic kidney disease can also cause pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, putting the life of the baby and the pregnant woman at risk. Find out more about what preeclampsia is.
