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PKD stands for polycystic kidney disease which is characterized by countless renal cysts in bilateral kidneys. Different from simple kidney cysts, both the size and number of renal cysts in PKD will continue to increase and in the end they will replace normal renal tissues, alter renal structure and severely affect kidney functions.
Causes of polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease is a congenital and hereditary kidney disease. The root cause is gene mutation which are mainly PKD 1 and PKD 2. PKD can be further divided into autosomal dominant PKD and autosomal recessive PKD according to different hereditary modes.
The formation and continuous enlargement and increase of renal cysts is the continuous secretion of cyst fluid due to the phenotype transformation of epithelial cells in the cyst wall.
What symptoms will PKD patients experience
1. Renal cysts. There are multiple fluid-filled sacs in renal parenchymal areas. Their size and number will experience progressive increase along with illness progression.
2. Back pain or flank pain. It is the most common symptom of PKD and women patients experience pain symptom more often than men.
3. High blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is one of the early symptoms of PKD. Half PKD patients with normal kidney functions have blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg and nearly all end stage PKD patients have high blood pressure.
4. Blood in urine. More than 90% patients have cyst bleeding or blood in urine. It can be caused by cyst rupture, kidney stone, infections or even cancer.
5. Other symptoms include liver cysts, urinary tract infection, aneurysm, etc.
Early diagnosis is important for PKD
PKD has the feature of familial aggregation and about 60% patients have clear family history of the disease. To confirm the diagnosis of PKD, renal imaging examinations such as Ultrasound, CT, MRI and gene diagnosis is needed. Gene diagnosis can help parents to know weather the unborn baby has the disease or not.
Treatment options for PKD
Symptomatic treatment. Symptomatic treatment is to alleviate symptoms and control complications so as to make patients feel more comfortable. Such as painkillers, antibiotics, ACEI, ARB, low-salt diets, etc.
Surgery. Surgeries for PKD include cyst puncture, decortication, renal vascular embolization, etc. Surgery can not solve the root problem and it has some injuries and risks to the patients.
Dialysis and kidney transplant. When PKD progresses into end stage and more than 90% kidney functions are lost, renal replacement therapies dialysis or kidney transplant will be needed.
Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy. If PKD can be treated with Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy in the early stage, renal cysts can be shrunk, renal damages can be repaired and renal functions can be improved, dialysis and kidney transplant can be prevented.
Will PKD progresses into renal failure
PKD accounts for 5%-10% of ESRD. About 50% patients that are above their 60s will turn into end stage renal failure. The earlier PKD is treated, the more effective the treatment is and the better the prognosis will be. It is completely possible that renal failure can be prevented with timely and proper treatments.
