Edema refers to a localized or general swelling which occur due to the
buildup of fluid within body tissues. Symptoms of edema can include swelling and
puffiness, especially in the hands, ankles, face, and eyelids. Besides, patients
may have red redness, heat, and pain. Many people with PKD may present this
symptom. Then, what are the causes?
Generally, edema forms in Polycystic Kidney Disease for two reasons: loss of
protein in urine, and impaired kidney function.
1. Loss of protein in the urine
The gradual enlarged renal cysts will compress the normal kidney tissues,
causing damages to the glomerular basement membrane. So, the filtration
membrane's barrier function is impaired, and the permeability of the glomerular
filtration membrane increases. Much protein will be spilt out from the blood
into the urine, leading to hypoalbuminemia (low blood albumin). Since albumin
(protein) helps to maintain blood volume in the blood vessels, so a decrease of
fluid in the blood vessels appears. Our kidneys will register that there is
depletion of blood volume, and try to retain salt. As a result, fluid moves into
the interstitial spaces, thus resulting in pitting edema.
2. Impaired kidney function
In this situation, the normal renal function is damaged due to compression of
enlarged cysts. The kidneys' ability to excrete sodium into urine will decrease.
Thus, patients with PKD will develop edema if their sodium intake exceeds the
ability of their kidneys to remove the sodium. The more advanced the kidney
damage, the greater the problem of sodium retention is likely to become.
Recognizing the causes of edema with PKD, we can find a cure for your problem
through eliminating the underlying cause. No matter what therapy you will carry
out should help to achieve the purposes of removing urine protein and recover
the renal function. Only in this way, can we successfully get rid of the
symptom.
