What Happens When an Aging Male Has Polycystic Kidney Disease?

Polycystic kidney disease is a medical condition that causes clusters of noncancerous cysts to grow in an individual's kidneys. This disease can cause high blood pressure in aging males and other patients.

Symptoms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with polycystic kidney disease may experience pain in the back or side of the body due to enlarged kidneys, as well as headaches and increased abdominal size. They may also experience changes in urination and disorders such as kidney stones and kidney failure.

Complications

• Aging male patients with polycystic kidney disease may develop complications from high blood pressure, such as heart disease, stroke or further kidney damage. Cysts may spread to the liver, colon problems may occur and heart-valve abnormalities may develop in patients with this condition.

Testing

• Doctors may use ultrasound, computerized tomography scans or magnetic resonance imaging scans to determine the number an size of the cysts present.

Treatment

• High blood pressure that results from polycystic kidney disease is often treated with drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Painful cysts may be treated with medication or surgery to drain them.

Support

• Aging male patients with polycystic kidney disease can also benefit from psychological and emotional support from a counselor, psychiatrist or clergy member.