Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Paper

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Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic or hereditary disorder in which clusters of cysts develop within your kidneys. Cysts are round sacs containing water-like fluid. Over time, these cysts will enlarge, multiply and damage the kidneys which can lead to kidney failure. Kidneys are usually the most severely affected organs from this disease, but cysts can also develop in your liver, pancreas, spleen, ovaries, and large bowel. Polycystic kidney disease can also affect the brain and heart. PKD is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. This disease is found in all races occurs equally in men or woman and causes about 5% of all kidney failure.

Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disorder that is passed from parents to children through …show more content…

PKD can expand the kidneys until each one is bigger than a football. As polycystic kidney disease becomes more advanced, the kidneys inability to function properly becomes more pronounced. The cysts on the kidney may begin to rupture and the kidneys tend to be much larger than normal. People affected with this disease have a much higher rate of kidney stones than the rest of the population. Because the kidneys are primarily responsible for cleaning the blood, people affected often have problems involving the circulatory …show more content…

You can keep a healthy blood pressure, eat a diet low in salt, control diabetes if you have it, avoid tobacco, and work with a nephrologist to manage your condition. Drink plenty of plain water throughout the day and avoid caffeine in beverages. Taking these steps will help slow down the development of this disease, but renal damage can not be reversed and the kidney function will be gradually lost. There is no way to prevent cysts from forming or becoming enlarged. In the end patients will have no choice but dialysis and kidney

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