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Polycystic Kidney Disease Symptoms

Polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, is a disease that has genetic causes, meaning it is passed through the genes from parent to child. The disease gets its name from the many cysts that cluster together on the kidneys. These cysts aren't malignant, but they are filled with fluid. With this disease, the cysts can grow in other parts of your body as well, such as the pancreas or liver. The cysts disrupt normal functioning and workings of the kidneys, and at some point, it can be too much, and the kidneys may fail. There are many symptoms associated with this disease.

  1. Renal Symptoms

    • Since the kidney may be covered in cysts, this can cause the size of the kidneys to be enlarged. They can even be as big as a football. Kidney infections and UTIs (urinary tract infections) are not uncommon if you have polycystic kidney disease. You may also suffer from kidney stones. When you urinate, you may notice blood in your urine; you may have more frequent urges to urinate at night also.

    Cardiovascular Symptoms

    • The cysts are filled with fluid, and as they grow bigger with more and more fluid, they may put pressure on the renal blood vessels, which can, in turn, cause high blood pressure. Your readings can become very high and become critical, so it's important that you keep a daily record of your blood pressure readings if you suffer from this disease. The heart valves may be affected as well, sometimes leading to mitral valve prolapse.

    Other Symptoms

    • Other symptoms include headache and enlargement of your abdominal area. You may have a lot of pain, even spasms, in your abdominal area, as well as your flank area. This pain can be caused by bleeding or clots or stones. The size of your kidneys can also cause much pain in your back or sides. You may feel tired all the time and have pain in your joints.

    Potential

    • Polycystic kidney disease has the potential to develop into something that is life-threatening. Kidney failure is, of course, one very real possibility, but PKD can also cause enlargement of your heart and an aneurysm in your brain, as well as aortic aneurysms. If your blood pressure goes too high, you may be at risk of developing a stroke. If you are pregnant, you may get a condition known as pre-eclampsia, which has to do with high blood pressure. Complications can also arise in your colon, causing diverticulosis or hernias.

    Diagnosis

    • In order to diagnose you, the doctor will assess your symptoms and do the proper testing according to the symptoms you describe and that he sees. He may do a urine test, which will probably show amounts of protein or blood in your urine. A complete blood count may be done. Ultrasound will show images of your kidneys, as will a CT scan or an MRI, magnetic resonance imaging. He may also order genetic tests.

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