Cystic kidney disease occurs when there are many cysts or fluid-filled sacs inside the kidneys, causing the kidneys to enlarge. As the cysts grow larger, they begin to compress the normal kidney tissue, leading to kidney damage and eventually kidney failure. The causes of cystic kidney disease can be genetic or non-genetic.
Genetic cystic kidney disease
Common genetic cystic kidney diseases include:
- Polycystic kidney disease, which has two types:
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- Autosomal dominant inheritance, called ADPKD, which is more common, and
- Autosomal recessive inheritance, called ARPKD, often detected with an enlarged abdomen and numerous cysts in both kidneys. The kidneys become enlarged, and there may be a family history of kidney disease.
- Medullary cystic kidney disease usually shows no symptoms and is detected through health check-ups such as ultrasound.
Non-genetic cystic kidney disease
Common non-genetic cystic kidney diseases include:
- Simple kidney cyst is the most common type, usually asymptomatic, and is associated with aging and underlying conditions such as chronic kidney disease.
- Multicystic dysplastic kidney disease results from abnormal development during the embryonic stage. The kidney tissue is interspersed with many small cysts. It is usually congenital and detected by ultrasound but is rare.
- Medullary sponge kidney involves cysts in the kidney tubules from birth. It is usually asymptomatic but may cause infections or kidney stones.
Symptoms and diagnosis of cystic kidney disease
Patients with cystic kidney disease may have no symptoms but can be detected through health check-ups using ultrasound or CT scans. Possible symptoms include:
- Lower back pain
- Blood in the urine
- Urine containing sand-like particles from kidney stones
- High blood pressure
- Urinary tract infection
- Enlarged abdomen with palpable lumps
Monitoring disease progression and treatment of kidney cysts
Since some types of kidney cysts need to be differentiated from kidney tumors, regular monitoring is necessary. Most treatments do not require surgery unless there are complications, rapid growth, or suspicious features suggesting cancer. Treatment mainly involves taking medications as prescribed by a doctor, monitoring symptoms, and regularly evaluating treatment outcomes.
Self-care and precaution recommendations
- Drink enough water
- Avoid consuming salty or high-sodium foods
- Regular monitoring
- If you have fever, severe lower back pain, or blood in the urine, go to the hospital immediately
- Avoid trauma to the lower back area where kidney cysts are located
