What is Polycystic Kidney Disease?

Over 600,000 Americans have Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). PKD is a genetic disease where numerous cysts grow kidneys. The cysts are filled with fluid and can slowly overrun the kidneys. The cysts reduce function and lead to kidney failure. Undiagnosed Polycystic kidney disease can cause cysts in the liver and problems in other organs, such as blood vessels in the brain. These complications help doctors tell it apart from the usually harmless simple cysts that often form in the kidneys in later years of life.

The two types of Polycystic Kidney Disease

There are two major inherited forms and one non-inherited form:

Autosomal Dominant PKD is the most common, inherited form. Symptoms usually develop between the ages of 30 and 40, but they can begin earlier, even in childhood. About all polycystic kidney disease cases are Autosomal Dominant PKD.

Autosomal Recessive PKD is a rare, inherited form. Symptoms of autosomal recessive kidney disease begin in the earliest months of life, even in the womb.

Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease (ACKD) shows up along with long-term kidney problems especially in patients who have kidney failure and who have been on dialysis for a 10form tends to occur in later years of life and is not inherited.

What are the Symptoms of PKD?

Pain in the back and lower sides
Headaches
Urinary tract infections
Blood in the urine
Cysts in the kidneys and other organs

Treatments for PKD.

Medicine and surgery to reduce pain
Antibiotics to cure infections
Dialysis and transplantation to replace functions of failed kidneys.

Testing for PKD.

Your physician may prescribe an Ultrasound (a test using sound waves to make an image) of kidney cysts and cysts in other organs.