Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease

People should prioritize their physical health and never ignore symptoms, such as blood in the urine and unbearable back pain. It might be an indication of serious illness, which requires immediate medical attention. Individuals exhibiting these symptoms should visit a nephrologist in Lahore. The specialist will conduct tests to diagnose the disease and treat the patient accordingly.

PKD is a genetic disorder. The patient develops cysts in the kidneys filled with fluid. The conditions cause the person to suffer from multiple problems, including high blood pressure and blood in the urine. Polycystic kidney disease has no cure; however, medications and surgical procedures are proven beneficial in managing the symptoms. It is necessary to seek medical help, as the complications associated with the disease can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of PKD

The common symptoms of Polycystic kidney disease are:

  • The person suffers from a persistent backache, which becomes unbearable and hinders the functioning of daily tasks.
  • The persons feel abdominal fullness all the time.
  • The patient with PKD can notice blood in the urine.
  • The patient remains fatigued for most of the time.
  • The patient with PKD suffers from recurrent episodes of headache.
  • The blood pressure level of the patient remains high most of the time.

Causes of PKD

Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary disorder. The person is born with the condition. However, in rare cases, the mutation of genes can trigger the condition.

Preventive Measures

Individuals with family members suffering from PKD should:

  • Eradicate smoking habit from their lifestyle
  • Try to avoid the consumption of alcohol.
  • Individuals with blood relatives suffering from the condition should remain vigilant regarding BMI. It is essential to limit the intake of sodium and maintain their body mass to avoid complications.
  • The person should exercise daily to help manage the symptoms.

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Complications of PKD

The complications associated with polycystic kidney disease are:

  • If the person is not taking treatment to manage the symptom, the chances of kidney failure increase with age.
  • The person suffers from high blood pressure that can cause severe damage to the kidneys.
  • The person may develop liver cysts that can cause multiple complications.
  • The patient can develop diverticulosis with age, which can cause urinary incontinence and a hole in the intestinal wall leading to multiple complications.
  • PKD can lead to aneurysms
  • The patient remains in constant pain throughout life.

Diagnosis

The tests for diagnosing PKD are:

  • Physical examination to determine if there is a mass or lump in the abdominal region that is inducing the pain.
  • Ultrasounds help check the abnormality in the structure of the kidneys, which indicates damage.
  • CT scans help provide a detailed image of the kidneys, which help detect cysts and determine the severity of the condition.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging helps detect any abnormality in the kidney, including cysts, causing the person to suffer from excessive pain.

Effective Treatment Options

The medications and procedures that help in treating PKD are:

  • Use of ACE Inhibitors: The Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors aid in controlling and balancing the blood pressure level.
  • Use of NSAIDs: The Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce the inflammation caused due to cysts and manage the pain.
  • Use of Antibiotics: The medications help fight the infection and reach the cavities of the cysts.
  • Kidney Transplant: It is a surgical procedure, which involves the replacement of a damaged organ with a healthy kidney provided by a donor.

Self-Care

The self-care of the patients with PKS are:

  • Engage in physical activities.
  • Patients should keep healthy body weight.
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
  • Keep the body hydrated to minimize the chances of infection that may lead to multiple problems.

Individuals diagnosed with PKD must visit the nephrologist in Islamabad to take guidance regarding their condition and medications that will allow them to function adequately for everyday tasks and live a normal life.