Polycystic Kidneys

• Polycystic Kidney Disease

This eMedTV Web page explores polycystic kidney disease, an illness that causes fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys, and can lead to kidney failure. This page provides information on causes, symptoms, and treatment options for the condition.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease Types

This page on the eMedTV Web site explores the three types of polycystic kidney disease -- autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and acquired cystic kidney disease -- and provides information on their causes, symptoms, and how often they occur.

• Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a condition that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys. This eMedTV page explains the gene mutation that causes autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and also discusses symptoms and treatment options.

• Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease is a rare and often lethal condition. This eMedTV page covers autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease symptoms, treatment options, and diagnosis -- as well as how the disease can cause kidney failure.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease Causes

Typically, polycystic kidney disease is caused by mutations in the PKD1, PKD2, or PKHD1 genes. This part of the eMedTV archives highlights the different possible polycystic kidney disease causes for each type of polycystic kidney disease.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease Genetics

This eMedTV overview of polycystic kidney disease genetics describes how mutations in the PKD1, PKD2, and PKHD1 genes cause the two inherited forms of the disease. This page also lists causes of acquired cystic kidney disease, which isn't genetic.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease Symptoms

This part of the eMedTV library covers possible polycystic kidney disease symptoms, including pain in the back and the sides, high blood pressure, and kidney stones, among other things. This page lists symptoms for all three types of the disease.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease Diagnosis

As this eMedTV page explains, to make a polycystic kidney disease diagnosis, a doctor may ask questions related to medical history (like whether you have a family history of any conditions) and order tests like an MRI or CT scan, among other things.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease Treatment

As this eMedTV Web page explains, polycystic kidney disease treatment focuses on treating the disease's symptoms and complications, and can include medicine and surgery to reduce pain; antibiotics to treat infections; and kidney transplantation.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease Diet

This eMedTV article explains that despite some promising findings from previous animal studies, there is currently no polycystic kidney disease diet that has been shown to affect how many cysts develop or how large they become.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease Research

As this eMedTV page explains, polycystic kidney disease research aims to better understand the genetics of the disease and find out if new treatments are safe and effective. This page outlines the possible benefits of taking part in clinical trials.