Polycystic Kidney Disease

— McKinney, Texas —

Polycystic kidney disease is a disease with symptoms that can be painful and even debilitating. Getting treatment for this condition can lessen the severity of these symptoms, as you will learn in this article.

What Is Polycystic Kidney Disease?

Polycystic kidney disease (otherwise known as PKD) is an inherited disease that causes cyst clusters to grow inside your kidneys, thereby enlarging them and may result in kidney failure over time. Cysts are noncancerous fluid sacs that vary in size. Large or abundant cysts can cause kidney damage.

Additionally, PKD can cause cysts to grow in other organs, including your liver. Kidney failure and high blood pressure are just two of the conditions that can result from PKD. These can be managed with your doctor after you learn about polycystic kidney disease near me.

Some of PKD's complications are preventable; others are not. Making some lifestyle changes and getting polycystic kidney disease treatment can lessen the severity of your PKD symptoms.

Those symptoms can include:

Kidney or urinary tract infections
Kidney stones
Kidney failure
High blood pressure
Pain in your side or back
Feeling full or bloated in your abdomen
An increase in your abdomen's size due to enlarged kidneys
Headaches
Blood in your urine

Who Is Most Likely to Get Polycystic Kidney Disease?

There are a few known causes of PKD. One of them is autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Symptoms often show up in people aged 30 to 40 years, but children can also develop this condition. Just one parent needs to have the gene for it to be passed to their child. Each child will have a 50% chance of developing PKD.

There is an autosomal recessive type of PKD as well. This is far rarer and has symptoms that show up right after birth. However, symptoms might also manifest later in childhood or adolescence. Both parents must have the genetic abnormality to pass this on, with each child having a 25% chance of getting ARPKD.

How to Find Polycystic Kidney Disease Treatment

Are you wondering, "Where can I find help for polycystic kidney disease near me?" Our practice in McKinney, TX, specializes in polycystic kidney disease treatment. Our doctors will go over preventive measures with you, including the possible need to take blood pressure medication.

Your doctor will encourage you to stick to a low-sodium diet and opt for fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Smoking cessation is important. Getting plenty of exercise and managing your weight can also help minimize symptoms.