Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a condition in which clusters of cysts grow in the body, mainly in the kidney. Cysts are round sacs with fluid in them. They are not cancer and can vary in size, sometimes growing very large. Have many cysts or having large cysts can damage the kidney and over time, the cysts may cause the kidney to stop working by constricting healthy kidney tissues and affecting kidney function.
If left untreated, PKD may cause serious complications, including high blood pressure and kidney failure, as PKD can cause cysts to grow in the liver, the pancreas and other places in the body. PKD also causes chronic kidney disease, which can progress to kidney failure.
Types of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of PKD you have.
Signs of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD):
Signs of Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD):
Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic condition and so you're at an increased risk of developing the disease if your parents also suffer from the condition. New mutations rarely occur in an individual without a family history of PKD leading to disease in them.
If left untreated, PKD can cause serious health complications for adults and babies. These complications include:
ARPKD may be fatal in babies who are born with a severe case of the disease.
PKD is not preventable however after getting a diagnosis, you may be able to slow the disease's progression and kidney failure by practising a healthy lifestyle. It is important to work with your doctor to understand your risk of kidney failure and learn what you can do to manage it.
Some steps to follow include:
Imaging Test
Your healthcare provider may conduct an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI to check your kidneys.
