All you need to know about PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease)! - Kidney And Ayurveda

 

 

Let’s know about Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease, an inherited genetic disorder that causes many fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys. Different from the usually harmless simple kidney cysts that can form in the kidneys, PKD cysts can literally change the shape of your kidneys, making them much larger.

It is a form of chronic kidney disease that reduces kidney function and can also lead to kidney failure. Polycystic kidney disease can also cause complications, or problems, such as cysts in the liver, high blood pressure, and problems with blood vessels in the heart and brain.

What causes Polycystic Kidney Disease?

A defect or a gene mutation causes Polycystic Kidney Disease. Mostly in PKD cases, a child gets the gene mutation from his or her parent. In a few cases of PKD, the gene mutation evolves on its own without the parent carrying a copy of the mutated gene. This kind of mutation is known as “spontaneous.”

Major types of PKD

• Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease:

Autosomal dominant is occasionally called as adult PKD.

Its symptoms usually develop later in life, in between the age of 30 and 40. Although some people begin to experience its symptoms in childhood only.

• Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease:

Autosomal recessive PKD is less common than ADPKD. It is also inherited, however, both parents must carry the gene for the disease.

People carriers of ARPKD won’t have symptoms if they have only one gene. But if they inherit two genes, one from each parent, then they’ll have ARPKD.

Signs And Symptoms Of Polycystic Kidney Symptoms

Several people live with the problem of PKD for years without even experiencing the symptoms associated with the disease. Cysts generally grow 0.5 inches or larger before a person notices their symptoms. Initial signs and symptoms associated with PKD include

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• Frequent Urination
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Blood in the urine
• Tenderness or pain in Abdomen
• Kidney Stones
• Pale Skin Colour,
• Pain in the sides.

Understand the complications Of Polycystic Kidney Disease.

In inclusion to the symptoms experienced generally with PKD; maybe there are complications as cysts on the kidneys grow larger. PKD complications include:

Chronic pain- Pain is a very common symptom for people having polycystic kidney disease. It frequently occurs on the side or back. The pain can also be related to a kidney stone, urinary tract infection, or malignancy.

High blood pressure- Raised blood pressure is a common complication of polycystic kidney disease. High blood pressure left untreated can cause some serious damage to the kidneys and increase the risk of strokes and heart disease.

Pregnancy complications- Mostly pregnancy is successful for women with polycystic kidney disease. But in a few cases, nonetheless, women can develop a disorder called preeclampsia which can be life-threatening. Those at risk have high blood pressure or a decline in kidney function before they become pregnant.

Growth of cysts in the liver- The possibility of developing liver cysts for someone with polycystic kidney disease rises with age. While both men and women develop cysts, women develop larger cysts. Multiple pregnancies and female hormones can contribute to liver cyst development.

Ayurvedic Treatment Of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

PKD treatment in Ayurveda is all about taking herbal medications and integrating some yoga postures into the lifestyle to improve kidney function. Ayurveda is purely a natural way to resuscitate the damage to the cells and kidney tissues. The mutation in the genes gets changes when a person consumes Ayurvedic medications for a particular period.

As PKD is a genetic condition, the use of herbs can help work on the genes and the ancestral pattern so that the person can be prevented from passing the disease to their child.

Polycystic Kidney Disease ayurvedic treatment involves proper medication on time, abstaining from certain food items, and the necessary changes in diet and lifestyle modifications.

Ayurvedic measures to prevent PKD

Below mentioned are some measures that can help you prevent Polycystic Kidney Disease

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• Herbal tea works best in polycystic kidney disease treatment in ayurveda in kidney patients.
• Garlic is one of the best foods to consume if one is suffering from PKD. As it reduces oxidative stress and helps reduce the size of the kidney cysts.
• A PKD patient must consume vegetables and fresh fruits during the treatment of PKD.
• The fiber content in the diet of PKD patients must be increased to keep the kidney free from cysts and other various infections.
• A PKD patient must limit the amount of fat in his/her diet.
• Food products rich in Vitamin D work best in the treatment of PKD.
• Spinach, beets, and eggplants must be avoided.

Conclusion

Polycystic kidney disease is genetic and causes cysts to form in the kidneys. These cysts can enlarge the kidneys disrupting kidney functions. People with PKD are mostly adults. But in a few cases, babies can have a threatening form of PKD. Proper treatment reduces symptoms and helps the kidneys work better. Most people with PKD will need the right treatment in time.