Polycystic Nephritis, Polycystic Kidney Disease as its alternative name, is a
typical genetic kidney problem. In people with this disease, countless cysts
grow up and develop from the kidneys.
Cause
As mentioned above Polycystic Nephritis is genetic kidney disease. Thereby,
the disease runs into families. Apart from genetic factor, genetic mutation is
rare to be another cause.
However, not every one with PKD genes will develop into the kidney disease.
Some factors do trigger the development of renal cysts, including cysts in other
organs (such as, liver, pancreas etc.), diverticula of the colon, aortic
aneurysms and brain aneurysms.
Symptoms
Symptoms may occur in the childhood or adulthood. The common type of the
disease is ADPKD which always shows symptoms until middle age. Another type
ARPKD usually develops in one’s childhood when symptoms occur. In fact, a great
deal of people does not show symptoms even after 30s.
If symptoms occur, you may feel:
● Abdominal pain, flank pain, sides pain
● Frequent urination, especially at night
● Blood in urine
● High blood pressure
● Increased size of abdomen
● Kidney stones
Test
Some tests are helpful to find and detect the size and number of kidney cysts
and the kidney damages condition. To make a diagnosis, your doctor may suggest
the following tests:
● Computerized Tomography Scan (CT)
● Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan (MRI)
● Ultrasound Examination
Treatment
Treatment for Polycystic Nephritis is dealing with the symptoms,
complications and root causes.
Anti-hypertensive Medication. Hypertension is an important symptoms which
aggravates the kidney damages quickly which usually onsets before your age of
30. Common medications for elevated blood pressure include ACE, ARB and
herbs.
Surgery. Surgery is common method for some patients. It is used to drain one
or several larger cysts. If necessary, surgery also can be remove one or both
polycystic kidneys.
Chinese herbs. Chinese herb is
a conservative treatment which shrinks renal cyst and lower high blood pressure
naturally.
Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is not a must in treating polycystic nephritis,
which is used to improve kidney function, especially when patients develop into
kidney failure stage.
Prognosis
Polycystic Nephritis is a chronic kidney disease. However, the complications,
such as high blood pressure, cysts in liver and cyst rupture speed up the
development of the disease.
Eventually, the disease will develop into kidney failure and eventually leads
to end stage of kidney disease.
At Shijiazhuang Kidney Disease Hospital China, there holds a free medical
video consultation, if you need more information or check your disease, you can
make an appointment through our free online service or click here.
