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Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease is a disorder in which
many clusters of cysts develop primarily within your
kidneys. Cysts are noncancerous (benign), round sacs
that contain water-like fluid. They vary in size
from tiny sacs to sacs large enough to hold several
quarts of fluid.
Having a benign kidney cyst is common. A benign, simple kidney cyst
doesn't require treatment. And having one or more
kidney cysts doesn't mean you have polycystic kidney
disease.
Treatment
Treating
polycystic kidney disease involves dealing with the following signs,
symptoms and complications:
-
High blood
pressure.
Controlling high blood pressure may delay the progression of the
disease and slow further kidney damage. Combining a low-sodium,
low-fat diet that's moderate in protein and calorie content along
with eliminating smoking, increasing exercise and reducing stress
may help control high blood pressure. However, you usually also need
medications to control it.
-
Pain.
Chronic pain, usually located in your back or your side, is a common
symptom of polycystic kidney disease. Often, the pain is mild and
you can control it with over-the-counter medications containing
acetaminophen. For some people, however, the pain is more severe and
constant. In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove
cysts if they're large enough to cause pressure and pain.
-
Bladder or
kidney infections.
Prompt treatment of infections with antibiotics is necessary to
prevent kidney damage.
-
Blood in
the urine.
You'll need to drink lots of fluids as soon as blood in the urine is
noted, in order to dilute the urine. Dilution may help prevent
obstructive clots from forming in the urine. Bed rest also may help
decrease the bleeding.
-
Complications of cysts.
Rarely, when kidney cysts cause chronic, severe pain or obstruction
of other organs or veins, you may need to undergo surgery to drain
the cysts.
-
Kidney
failure.
If your
kidneys lose their ability to remove wastes and extra fluids from
your blood, you'll eventually either need dialysis or a kidney
transplant.
-
Liver
cysts.
Nonsurgical management of liver cysts includes avoidance of hormone
replacement therapy. Other options in rare cases include drainage of
cysts if they're not too numerous, partial removal of the liver, or
even liver transplantation.
-
Aneurysms.
If you have ADPKD and a family history of ruptured intracranial
aneurysms, your doctor may recommend regular screening for
aneurysms. If an aneurysm is discovered, surgical clipping of the
aneurysm to reduce the risk of bleeding may be an option, depending
on its size. Nonsurgical treatment of small aneurysms may involve
controlling high blood pressure and elevated plasma levels of lipids
— fats and fat-like substances — and smoking cessation.
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