Living with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Symptoms, Complications and Treatment
According to a 2017reportby the US Department of Health and Human Services, AutosomalDominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common hereditary diseases, affecting approximately 1 in every 1000 people. It is a genetic disorder that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. There is currently no cure for ADPKD, but early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the symptoms and prolong life. This article provides an overview of ADPKD, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Generally, genetic diseases are caused when an individual gets broken genes from both parents. However, with ADPKD, only one faulty gene from one parent can cause the defect. That’s why this kind of disease is called “autosomal dominant”. There is a 50% chance of acquiring the disease if one of the parent had ADPKD. However, you can get ADPKD even if neither of the parent had the disease. But it’s a very rare condition to be diseased in this manner.
ADPKD Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADPKD vary from person to person. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others experience a wide range of. The most common symptoms of ADPKD include:
– back pain
– exhaustion and weakness
– high blood pressure
– swelling in the hands, feet, or abdomen
– frequent urination, especially at night
– urinary tract infections
– sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep)
If left untreated for a very long time, cysts may grow larger, damage kidneys and cause kidney failure. In that case, you may experience nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular periods, and erectile dysfunction.
Common complications of ADPKD
- Vascular system issues
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease is often associated with various vascular diseases, such as abnormal heart valves and brain aneurysms. Abnormal heart valves lead to diminished blood flow in the large artery and brain aneurysms, caused by a bulge in the wall of blood vessels, resulting in severe headaches and bleeding in the skull.
- Digestive system problems
Liver and pancreatic cysts are the most common complications associated with ADPKD. Sincethe hormone oestrogen affects the growth of liver cysts, women with ADPKD are more likely to have liver cysts than men.
- Reproductive problems
Studies have shown that AKPKD has a negative impact on the reproductive systems of both men and women. While women with AKPKD have high chances of developing preeclampsia, men are likely to have cysts on their seminal vesicles. Preeclampsia is a condition where the foetus gets low oxygen and nutrients. People living with ADPKD should consider consulting a genetics specialist before planning to have children.
ADPKD treatment and advancements
Healthcare providers diagnose ADPKD by testing a person’s blood for PKD1 or PKD2 gene mutations. Imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound may also be used to view the kidneys and surrounding structures.
There is no cure for ADPKD.However, several kidney disease treatments are available to manage the most common complications of this disease. Treatment options include medications that lower blood pressure and shrink cysts in the kidneys.
ADPKD affects each person differently, with most people leading full active lives into their 50s or 60s before kidney failure begins requiring treatment with dialysis or a kidney transplant.There have been some recent advancements in the treatment of ADPKD. One such advancement is the use of kidney dialysis to remove waste products from the blood. This can help improve the quality of life for people with ADPKD. Another advance is the use of kidney transplantation, which can be a life-saving option for people with kidney failure caused by ADPKD.
ADPKD is a genetic disorder in which can cause blood pressure to rise, kidney function to decline over time, and other complications that may require intervention or treatment. It’s important for you to know how your diagnosis impacts every area of your life. If you have ADKPD, or if you’re concerned about developing ADPKD later on in life because there’s a family history of the illness, seek a second opinion from the best kidney doctors in Delhi. Looking for a way to connect with the best urologist? Just search for the “best urologist near me” on Google and receive the best kidney disease treatment from these award-winning doctors! Register with us today if you don’t already have an appointment scheduled!
