Effects of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) on the Kidneys

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is featured with the numerous cysts on kidneys. If untreated, the enlargement of cysts will lead to progressive Renal Failure. Along with Renal Failure, other effects on the kidneys may also occur like flank and abdominal pain, high blood pressure, kidney infection, hematuria and kidney stones.

1. Renal Failure: Approximately 50% of the patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) will develop Renal Failure if they do not receive effective treatment in time. With the cysts enlarging, they will oppress the surrounding nephrons leading to renal ischemia and anoxia. As a result, the renal fibrosis process starts and the renal function will decline gradually. At that time, the patients have to repair dialysis or kidney transplant to maintain their life. In the later of life, about 50 to 75 patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) have to depend on dialysis.

2. High blood pressure: High blood pressure is a common symptom of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and its incidence can be as high as 70%. It may be the primary symptom of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in many cases. High blood pressure is mainly related to the increased secretion of renin a hormone regulating blood pressure by kidneys.

3. Kidney infection: Kidney infection can involve about 30 to 50 percent of the patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). If the patients have kidney or cyst infection, their flank and abdominal pain will aggravate suddenly. Along with severe pain, the patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) are also accompanied by fever.

4. Hematuria: Approximately 30 to 50 percent of the patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) may lose red blood cells in urine. Their urine will be come pink or red color for the red blood cells loss. Hematuria is mainly caused by bleeding due to rupturing of cysts for the urinary tract infection or strenuous activity.

5. Kidney stones: Kidney stones can influence more than 20% of the patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). If the stones are big in size or grow in some crucial part, they can lead to severe pain and sometimes block urine flow.

6. Flank and abdominal pain: Usually, the patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) only have dull pain persistently. It is related to the stretching of the cyst wall or the pressure to the surrounding organs due to the enlargement of cysts. As mentioned above, if the patients have kidney or cyst infection, their pain will aggravate suddenly.

The above are the main effects of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) on the patients. If you have involved one or several effects above, you should receive treatment in time so as to prevent the further renal function decline.

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