Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) causes cysts (fluid-filled growths) to develop in your kidneys. PKD is a genetic disorder, meaning you have to have a mutated (changed) gene to get it.

PKD isn’t the same as kidney cysts, which are usually harmless. Cysts from PKD can enlarge your kidneys and prevent them from filtering waste out of your blood. In severe cases, the cysts can increase the weight of your kidneys by up to 30 pounds.

PKD causes chronic kidney disease, which can progress to kidney failure. PKD accounts for about 2% of all cases of kidney failure in the United States. Most people with PKD will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

If you receive a PKD diagnosis, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider on a treatment plan to manage complications of the disease.

Types of polycystic kidney disease

There are two types of polycystic kidney disease:

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD): ADPKD is the most common form of PKD. Most people receive an ADPKD diagnosis in adulthood between the ages of 30 and 50. But it can still occur in childhood or during your teenage years. You can get this type of PKD if just one biological parent has the gene mutation. People with ADPKD have a change in the genes PKD1 or PKD2.
Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD): ARPKD is a rare form of PKD, also called infantile PKD. It causes abnormal kidney development during fetal development. Healthcare providers most often diagnose this type in a fetus during pregnancy or shortly after a baby is born. To get this type of PKD, both biological parents must have and pass along the PKHD1 gene mutation to their child.

How common is polycystic kidney disease?

About 500,000 people in the U.S. have PKD. It affects people of all ages, races and ethnicities. It occurs equally in people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

ADPKD is far more common than ARKPD, affecting about 90% of people with PKD. ARPKD is extremely rare. It occurs in 1 out of 25,000 people.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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