Symptoms of Kidney Damage Secondary to Polycystic Kidney Disease

The cysts of PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) patients will surely cause damage to the kidneys, leading to a lot of symptoms. Those symptoms will in turn aggravate the kidney damage.

1. High blood pressure

Usually, high blood pressure is the primary symptom of PKD patients. High blood pressure secondary to PKD will surely aggravate the kidney damage. Patients with PKD and High Blood Pressure have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

2. Proteinuria ( protein in urine)

For patients with PKD, the incidence of proteinuria reaches up to eight percent. Proteinurina is caused by the continuous growth of cysts causing damage to the glomerular membrane, which loses its normal function of filtering wastes, proteins and other substances.

3. Hematuria (blood in urine)

As for PKD patients, hematuria can be caused by the following two reasons. One is the rupture of the cysts and the other is the damage of glomerular filtration membrane.

4. Enlarged kidneys

With increase of cysts in both number and size, kidneys will enlarge and lead to unbalanced development of two kidneys. Additionally, kidney functions will decrease day by day with the enlargement of kidneys.

5. Abdominal lumps

More than half patients will feel lumps on both sides of abdomen when kidney enlarges to a certain level.

6. Anemia

Anemia of PKD patients can be caused by the loss of blood in urine and the lack of EPO secreted by kidneys.

7. Back pain

It is usually the first symptom that impels patients with PKD receive treatment.

Progression of PKD might be gradual and symptoms may not present until the late stage of Kidney Failure. Hope patients receive treatment as soon as possible once PKD is diagnosed.