Polycystic Kidney Treatment

When you develop clusters of cysts within the kidneys, you're suffering from a disorder known a polycystic kidney disease. As the condition persists, you may begin to develop these cysts within other areas of you body, but most of the damage is typically isolated to the kidneys. While these cysts are rarely malignant, treatment is necessary, since you may develop other health-related issues, such as high blood pressure, liver problems, back pain, aneurysms and liver failure.

Lifestyle

• To combat the progression of polycystic kidney disease, you often need to make some serious changes in your lifestyle. This is largely due to the effect the associated high blood pressure has on the kidneys. As you leave your blood pressure unchecked, it can place further damage your kidneys, so try to change your eating habits to reflect a low-fat diet. Along with this change in diet, limit your sodium intake as well as alcohol consumption. Both of these things can have an effect on blood pressure and thereby an effect on the formation of the cysts. An increase in exercise and stress management may also go a long way in treating this condition. And if you smoke, take part in a cessation program.

Medicinal

• If your blood pressure is high and you're unable to control it with a change in lifestyle, your doctor will often prescribe an ACE inhibitor. This is a standard form of treatment for people suffering from hypertension associated with polycystic kidney disease, so take this medication daily.

  Besides issues involving your blood pressure, you may suffer from other complications of the condition, such as pain. In this situation, an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen or even ibuprofen, can help ease this pain. However, with more chronic pain due to cysts of the kidney, you may require a prescription pain killer to find relief.

  For others, polycystic kidney disease often makes them more susceptible to bacterial infections. When this is the case, treatment revolves around curing the infection through a course of antibiotics. In this situation, any antibiotics prescribed should be taken until the prescription runs out. Not continuing treatment can easily allow a recurrence of the infection.

Surgical

• Sometimes, polycystic kidney disease, especially in more significant cases, requires surgery. With this form of treatment, two approaches are by far the most common. When cysts become too large, a surgical procedure may be necessary to actually drain the fluid from the clusters, allowing for better function of the kidneys. However, if the kidneys begin to fail, you'll typically need to go through dialysis or an actual transplant.