Flank Pains in Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Why people with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) experience flank pains? How to alleviate the pains? High blood pressure, blood in urine and chronic flank or waist pains are common clinical manifestations of Polycystic Kidney Disease. You will need to know how flank pain is associated to PKD before finding the proper way to cope with it.

Why Polycystic Kidney Disease causes flank pains? Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic kidney disorder. It is characterized by clusters of fluid-filled sacs typically in both of the kidneys. The disease occurs in those with PKD genes, but usually onset of symptoms is after one’s 30s years old. The cysts in PKD patients will get enlarged. Flank pains may occur to the patients when augmented kidney cysts tow renal capsules. In addition, the cysts can cause urinary tract obstructions or presence of kidney stones. Passing kidney stones will cause sharp pains. A severer cyst may get ruptured due to strenuous exercise, which is often combined with infections and result in worsened pains. For people with PKD, aggravated flank pains may indicate formation of kidney stones, renal hemorrhage, urinary tract obstructions, etc.

How to alleviate flank pains in PKD? PKD patients with different individualized illness condition will experience flank pains to various degrees. Physiological factors, such as depression, anxiety or heavy work pressure will make the pains just more unbearable. Keeping positive, reducing pressure and staying relaxed will benefit and alleviate the pains. If PKD patients don’t have reduction of kidney function and decreased urine output, sufficient intake of water will be recommended so as to reduce chances of kidney stones and urinary tract infections. In addition, PKD patients need to stick to healthy lifestyle, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, restrict intake of sodium and avoid stimulating foods such as seafoods and pepper, which would maximally slow down the growth of kidney cyst and reduce onset of symptoms/complications. Some pain killers will be prescribed if the patients experience severe sharp pains, however, take caution to avoid taking medicines without doctor’s permission because some medicines may harm the kidneys

The above explains flank pains in Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). If you have further detailed questions to ask, you may email us directly to kidneycares@hotmail.com and we would be ready for help. Best wishes!