THIS KIDNEY CONDITION THAT RUNS IN

FAMILIES IS MUCH COMMON THAN WE THINK.

All you need to know about this kidney problem
that often goes undiagnosed for years.
Polycystic kidney disease, though still relatively
unknown by many is much common than we may
think. It runs in families and can inherited from
one's parents. It may lead to chronic kidney
disease and kidney failure.

WHAT IS POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE?

It is a condition where abnormal fluid-filled sacs
known as cysts grow on the kidneys.
When these cysts grow big enough, they can
damage the kidneys.
The kidneys are 2 bean shaped organs positioned
in our lower back, below our rib cage, one on
each side.
They play an important role in filtering the blood
to get rid of toxins, helping to maintain the blood
pressure at a healthy value and the production of
important hormones.
When the kidneys are damaged by the growing
cysts, the kidneys will be unable to carry out their
functions resulting in kidney failure.
Such a person would often require dialysis or a
kidney transplant to stay alive.

WHO IS AT RISK?
Anyone with a family history of the condition.
The autosomal dominant form of the disease,
known as autosomal dominant polycystic disease,
ADPKD is the most common form.
Because this condition usually goes undiagnosed
till a person is about 30 years, many people go
through their early adulthood without knowledge
of this condition.
A history of a family member with kidney
problems should raise suspicion as early diagnosis
results in better management.
There is a 50-50 chance that you or your siblings
will get this condition from an affected parent.
There is also a 50-50 chance that you will pass this
on to your children.
Most people go for genetic counselling when
diagnosed with PKD and often consider other
available options to become a parent if they want
to break the inheritance pattern.
It occurs equally in males and females.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
In a number of cases, it is found as an incidental
finding during ultrasound of your tummy.
A family history of PKD may be the reason to
undergo a screening .
Ultrasound of the kidneys shows the cysts and the
size of the kidneys.
However, sometimes, these cysts may be too
small at the time of the scan to be seen.
Genetic testing may also be done to determine if
a faulty gene was inherited from your family.
Ultrasound of your liver is often also done as
these cysts may be present in your liver too. This
often does not cause problems unless they
become infected.
Other tests like a special scan of your brain known
as an MRI may be done to rule out enlarged blood
vessels known as aneurysms which also may be
found in people with PKD.

WHAT ARE SOME PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE

CONDITION?
People with polycystic kidney disease present
differently.
While some may go on to love normal, healthy
lives, others may present with a number of
symptoms, some of which includes:
 Hypertension.
 Kidney stones.
 Infection of the urinary tract.
 Burst of swelling in the brain known as
aneurysms
 Stroke.
  Blood in urine
 Tummy pain.
 Chronic kidney disease.

PKD AND KIDNEY FAILURE.

The chronic kidney disease as a result of the
condition may result in kidney failure.
A person can live with chronic kidney failure for a
long time but when kidney function declines by up
to 75%, this is known as stage 4 CKD.
In stage 5, aka end stage kidney failure, dialysis or
kidney transplant is often required to keep the
person alive.
Dialysis helps to remove toxic wastes from the
body that will otherwise build up and cause harm.
In kidney transplant, a person gets a new, disease
free kidney.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY FAILURE?

 Swelling of the legs, hands, or around the
eyes.
  Itching of the skin
 Poor appetite.
 Weight loss.
 Increased frequency of peeing, especially at
night.
 Feeling sick.
 Erectile dysfunction
 Missed periods in women.

WHAT TO DO WITH THIS NEWS.

First, relax.
Try not to take in too much information at the
same time as this is overwhelming.
It is important to know that this disease is
different for everyone and the prognosis for
another person may not be the same for you.
It is crucial for you to be under the follow up of a
kidney specialist.
You have to adopt and maintain a healthy
lifestyle.
This includes quitting smoking, stopping or cutting
down on alcohol, eating more healthy meals by
reducing salt in diet and eating more of
vegetables.
Regular exercising helps to keep you healthy.
If you are worried about symptoms like tummy
pain , feeling sick or generally unwell, do not
brush it aside. Visit the hospital for proper
medical attention.
Research on this condition is still being carried
out, and while there is currently no cure, strides
can be made in this area in the coming years.