A Guide to Understanding the Inherited Condition of PKD by Hiranandani hospital kidney

Inside Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Guide to Understanding the Inherited Condition

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a chronic and progressive disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys, leading to their enlargement and eventual failure. PKD can also cause cysts to develop in other organs, such as the liver and pancreas.

Genetic basis of PKD

PKD is caused by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes, which are responsible for producing proteins that regulate the growth and development of kidney cells. In these cases, there may be no family history of the disease, as observed in a handful of cases at the Hiranandani Hospital Kidney Transplant. PKD affects both men and women equally and can occur at any age, although it is most commonly diagnosed in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.

Symptoms and diagnosisof PKD

As the cysts grow larger and multiply, they can cause several symptoms, including:

Abdomen back pain

High blood

Blood in the urine

pressure

Urinary tract infections

Kidney stones

Loss of appetite

Treatment options for Polycystic kidney disease

Medications to control blood pressure and reduce the risk of kidney damage.

Diuretics to vacate surplus fluid from the body. Antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections.

Pain medication to manage discomfort.

Surgery to drain cysts or remove a kidney in severe cases.

Dialysis or kidney transplant in end-stage kidney disease.