Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited disease, which means that the
disease is passed on from parents to children through genes. People with the
disease can be asymptomatic and may become symptomatic usually by ages 30 to 50.
The most common clinical manifestations of PKD include back or side pain,
tenderness around the abdomen, or a feeling of fullness. With the development of
PKD, there may appear some complications as follows.
Ⅰ. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
UTI is common among people with PKD, which include cystitis, pyelonephritis,
infection of cyst and perinephric abscess. For female patients, urinary tract
examination is one of the risk factors, because while doing it, equipments may
lead to infection in urinary tract.
Ⅱ. Decline in kidney function
With the progressive growth and multiplying of cysts in the kidneys, the
renal functional cells and tissues are damaged, thus causing gradual decline of
kidney function. If the disease progress to end-stage renal failure, patients
have to receive dialysis or renal transplant.
Ⅲ. High blood pressure (hypertension)
This occurs in about 60% to 70% of people with PKD and for many is the first sign of the disease. Due to the presence and gradual enlargement of multiple cysts, the normal kidney structure is altered. Consequently, the kidney function of monitoring blood volume is disturbed and more renin is secreted, causing elevated level of blood pressure.
Ⅳ. Kidney stones
About 20% to 30% of people with PKD develop kidney stones. They usually
suffer from dull pain in the renal region. If there is colic or sharp pain as
well as gross hematuria, it may indicate the appearance of kidney stones.
Ⅴ. Cysts in other parts of the body
Although the kidneys are the main site affected, cysts may also develop in
other parts of the body, such as the liver, pancreas, seminal vesicles, and the
arachnoid membrane (tissue next to the brain).
The above are some complications of PKD. Though the disease is asymptomatic
in the initial stage, you should take your illness condition seriously and
receive prompt treatment as early as possible. In this way, we can control the
enlargement of cysts as well as prevent the complications.