Polycystic Kidney Condition & Symptoms

Polycystic kidney disease, also known as PKD, is a genetic disease in which sacs of fluid called cysts grow in the kidneys. If these cysts become too numerable or too large, they will damage the kidneys, eventually causing them to fail.

Types

• Autosomal dominant PKD is the most common form of the disease, with symptoms that usually develop between the ages of 30 and 40. Autosomal recessive PKD is a rare version, in which the symptoms appear shortly after birth.

Symptoms

• Common symptoms of PKD are high blood pressure, pain related to enlarged kidneys and blood in your urine. Frequent urinary tract infections can also be a sign of PKD.

Complications

• One of the most serious complications associated with PKD is kidney failure, which affects up to 75% of PKD sufferers by the age of 70.

Diagnosis

• To diagnose PKD, your doctor may perform certain procedures in order to check your kidneys for cysts, such as ultrasounds and CT scans.

Treatments

• Unfortunately, there is no treatment available for the cysts caused by PKD, although surgery can be performed to drain the cysts if they become too bothersome to other organs.