Polycystic Kidney Disease Essay

“Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic disorder in which abnormal cysts develop and grow in the kidneys. Cystic disorders can express themselves at any point, infancy, childhood, or adulthood.”“PKD does not cause any signs or symptoms until cysts are half an inch or larger. Common symptoms are pain in the back and sides - between the ribs and hips - and headaches. The pain can be temporary or persistent, mild or severe. Hematuria - blood in the urine - may also be a sign of autosomal dominant PKD.”“Cysts grow in a person’s kidney, which can lead to kidney failure. A healthy kidney filters out toxins in the blood and eliminates them from the body in the form of urine. In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), there are at least

two genes, which, if mutated, can cause cysts to grow in the kidneys. For a person who inherited a mutation in PKD1 or PKD2, every kidney cell has that mutation. Over the years, some fraction of the kidney cells may acquire a mutation in the other copy of the gene.” “Adult onset PKD is transmitted from parents to their offspring as a non-sex linked dominant trait.

When each parent produces, only one of their two PKD1 genes goes into each cell. The child will inherit one copy of the PKD gene from the father and one from the mother. ADPKD can also occur as the result of a spontaneous mutation. If neither parent had the disease, but a PKD gene was somehow mutated, you can still have the disease. When each parent produces, only one of their two PKD genes goes into each cell.”“There is currently no cure for polycystic kidney disease. In the early stages, a patient can be treated for high blood pressure, pain, and any other secondary symptoms. If the disease progresses to the point of kidney failure dialysis and kidney transplantation provide replacement therapy, but does not cure PKD.” “People in their adulthood are the ones usually affected. Cysts in the kidney are often present from birth or childhood. ARPKD is much rarer and is often lethal early in life. It is among the most common of all inherited diseases of humans.”“The disease gets worse slowly. Eventually it leads to end-stage kidney

failure. It is also associated with liver disease, including infection of liver cysts. Medical treatment may relieve symptoms for many years. People with PKD who don’t have other diseases may be good candidates for a kidney transplant.”