Kidney Cyst Cures

According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, kidney cysts are small sacs filled with air or liquid that grow in the kidneys for various reasons. They can be a normal part of aging, or they can result from disease or abnormal fetal development. The cure varies, depending on the causes of the cysts and whether they are causing pain and affecting other organs. Often they do not need any treatment at all, but when they do need to be cured, there are various options ranging from medication to surgical intervention.

Prevalence

• According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Informaton Clearinghouse, simple kidney cysts are very common, especially in older adults. The clearinghouse says that up to 30 percent of people over age 70 develop at least one kidney cyst. Kidney cysts that come from other causes, such as disease or abnormal fetal development, are more rare. The clearinghouse says about 600,000 Americans have polycystic disease, and Children's Hospital Boston says that multicystic dysplastic kidney occurs once in every 4,300 births.

Simple Kidney Cysts

• Most kidney cysts are not caused by disease. Instead, they develop in otherwise healthy people. The Mayo Clinic says they are most commonly found in people over age 50. These cysts tend to be harmless and don't need to be cured unless they get big enough to cause problems with the surrounding organs. The usual treatment is drainage for smaller cysts or removal by a surgeon for larger ones.

Polycystic Disease

• Polycystic disease is a condition in which clusters of cysts develop in the kidneys. This condition can be painful, and it is most commonly treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Drugs such as ibuprofen are usually strong enough to relieve the discomfort. If OTC medications are not effective, the Mayo Clinic says the cysts can be surgically drained. They may also need this cure if they are obstructing any surrounding organs or blood vessels. The draining consists of removing the watery fluid inside the cyst sacs.

Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney

• Multicystic dysplastic kidney involves kidney cysts that develop before a baby's birth. The kidneys grow abnormally in the fetus, resulting in a mass of cysts instead of a normal, functioning organ. Fortunately, the cysts usually develop on only one side so the child has one normal kidney. According to Children's Hospital Boston, the cure consists of surgically removing the cysts. This can be done by incision or through a laparoscopic procedure.

Diagnosis

• Kidney cysts must be diagnosed before they can be cured through appropriate measures. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse says this is most commonly done with a CAT scan or ultrasonography.