by Erich Rosenberger M.D.

Created on: June 24, 2009

Polycystic kidney disease is a group of genetic disorders, all of which lead to the abnormal development of cysts in and on the kidneys. Cysts are fluid filled sacs. These cysts can cause a wide range of health problems for a person who is effected. People who develop these cysts have both long-term and short-term health issues.

Most cases of polycystic kidney disease are caused by autosomal dominant genetic mutations. This means that they are passed down to a child of either gender by a parent who also suffers from some degree of the disease. Of course, new mutations are also possible, so technically the parents don't always have to be effected. The child of a parent with polycystic kidney disease has a 50% change of having the disease themselves.

Most people who have this disorder do not have symptoms or problems until they are in their late 30's or 40's. The reasons for this are not well understood.

There are several signs and symptoms that are common to people who have polycystic kidney disease. High blood pressure is a common problem. The kidneys are the major organ involved in the regulation of blood pressure. When the kidneys become damaged by the growth of these cysts, they are not able to work well for blood pressure regulation.

The cysts can cause physical damage to the kidneys, leading to blood in the urine. The cysts can become infected. These infections can remain isolated to the cysts, or they can spread to the regular kidney tissues, and even in to the bladder - causing urinary tract infections.
The development of cysts in the kidneys can make a person more likely to have cysts in other organs as well. The liver and pancreas are commonly effected. The reasons for this are not well understood.

High blood pressure is common in people with polycystic kidney disease. This can lead to damage to the heart, specifically putting a person at risk for problems with the valves in the heart.

Kidney stones are more common as well. These are salt (made of calcium and other minerals) deposits that collect in parts of the kidney and jam up the outflow of urine. Kidney stones are intensely painful and can be quite debilitating until they are passed.

There is one more serious potential risk that is associated with polycystic kidney disease. This is the risk of developing aneurysms in the blood vessels of the brain. Aneurysms are places where the wall of the blood vessel is weakened and able to burst under otherwise normal pressures. Combined with high blood pressure, they can break and cause bleeding in the brain. Obviously this is not a good development.

If you have questions about polycystic kidney disease or any of the complications that can develop in parallel with it, have a talk with your doctor to get more information.

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