Polycystic kidney disease is an illness that causes fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys. As this eMedTV resource explains, it can lead to kidney failure. This page provides information on causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more.
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 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 is a rare and often fatal condition. This page from the eMedTV library describes this condition with detail, including information on symptoms, treatment options, diagnosis, and more.
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 causes for each type of polycystic kidney disease, including noninherited forms.
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.
Possible signs and symptoms of polycystic kidney disease include back pain, high blood pressure, and kidney stones. This eMedTV page lists symptoms for all three types of the disease and explains what to do if you are having symptoms.
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.
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.
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.
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.
