Sunday, March 31, 2013
Signs and Symptoms of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic Kidney Disease, also known as PKD, is a genetic disease in which clusters of fluid-filled cysts develop on and around the kidneys. Kidney damage can be caused if there are too large or too numerous cysts. The first noticeable signs of this condition often do not develop until a person is in their 30s or 40s. Signs and symptoms of Polycystic Kidney Disease are as below.
1. High blood pressure
High blood pressure is the most common symptom of Polycystic Kidney Disease. Some patients discover this disease with a diagnosis of high blood pressure. In turn, hypertension can lead to kidney damage, so it is important to bring blood
pressure into a healthy range.
2. Back or side pain
Due to the presence of the cysts, the kidneys become larger. In some cases, patients experience pain in the back or side as a result of the disease. Some people with PKD may notice increase in the size of the abdomen.
3. Urinary changes
People with Polycystic Kidney Disease may suffer from frequent or recurrent urinary tract infection. Those who also have kidney stones may detect blood in their urine. Frequent urination is also associated with this disorder.
4. Headache
Headache is also a sign of Polycystic Kidney Disease which may often by ignored because headaches may commonly happen in many other conditions.
Besides, approximately 1/4 of patients with PKD may have a floppy valve in the heart, which can cause a fluttering feeling in the chest and may also lead to chest pain.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Polycystic Kidney Disease and Drinking Water
In general, all patients, especially people with Autosomal Dominant PKD, need to have adequate intake of fluid on daily basis. Some doctors recommend that patients in the early stage drink plenty of water, as they lost the ability to concentrate their urine. This means that their kidneys are unable to hold on to or reabsorb water as well as other individuals.
This defect may be mild; nonetheless, if patients don't have access to liquids, particularly during heavy physical exercises of extreme heat, significant dehydration can be caused.
However, for patients on dialysis, the amount of fluid intake depends on the urine volume and the type and frequency of dialysis employed. For patients who are suffering from anuria, their fluid intake is often restricted to 1 liter per day. Or, patients can ask the doctor about how much water to drink is safe.
In light of slowing the progression toward Renal Failure, PKD patients need to have a better understand how to make necessary adjustments for their individual situation.
Some other recommendations for your developing a healthy diet include:
▪ Eat a low sodium diet. Daily sodium intake can be limited to less than 300 milligrams. This kind of diet help reduce blood pressure and help slow the progression of PKD.
▪ Watch the caffeine. Caffeine may hasten the progression of PKD by elevating blood pressure, so you are recommended to avoid caffeine found in coffee, chocolate, black tea, green tea, white tea, cola, and even some decaf products.
▪ Get your omega-3's. This helps reduce inflammation and slows the aggravation of PKD.
Friday, March 29, 2013
How to Stop Cold from Affecting Nephrotic Syndrome
In general, a person with NS has relatively lower immune ability, so he may catch a cold easily. Therefore, the most important precaution in to improve the overall immunity from the following aspects.
1. Eat less or no medications including immune agents and cytotoxic medications.
People who take these medicines in the long run will be affected by a cold easily due to decreased immune ability. So patients are recommended to reduce the intake or avoid the use of these medicines.
2. Improve the body's overall immune ability with combined Chinese - Western medicine.
NS is a kind of autoimmune disease which occurs as a result of abnormal immune system or immune dysfunction. In this case, germs like virus or bacteria will invade into the body, and then combine with antibodies produced by the immune system, forming immune complexes. More and more depositions of immune complex will accumulate in the kidneys. In order to remove these substances, there are excessive immune reaction within the body, causing damages to the renal intrinsic cells and tissues.
At present, the latest therapy for enhancing the immunity of NS is Immunotherapy. This is a systemic treatment which aims at treat kidney disease from the perspective of immune regulation.
There are altogether six steps contained in Immunotherapy: an accurate diagnosis, immune blocking, immune tolerance, immune regulation, immune protection, and immune clearance. Specific steps are adopted according to individual illness conditions.
The whole process involves many advanced treatments such as Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotehrapy and Immunotherapy. The former can provide a favorable environment for kidney repair, and the latter is applied to restore the kidney function and rebuild the immune system. Once patient's immunity is enhanced, patients can protect themselves from being affected by a cold so as to stop further deterioration.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Can Polycystic Kidney Disease Lead to Cancer
Medical professionals describe two major inherited forms of Polycystic Kidney Disease and a non-inherited form:
▪ Autosomal dominant PKD-the most common inherited form. Symptoms often develop between the ages of 30 and 40, but they can begin earlier, even in childhood.
▪ Autosomal recessive PKD is a rare inherited form. Symptoms may begin in the earliest months of life, even in the womb.
▪ Acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) develops in association with long-term kidney problems, especially in patients who have kidney failure and who have been on dialysis for a long time. It tends to occur in later years of time, and it is not an inherited form of PKD.
ACKD affects patients with chronic renal failure and causes hematuria, erythrocytosis (increase in red blood cells), and is associated with the development of kidney cancer. With kidney cancer, other symptoms may include a lump or mass in the side or the abdomen, weight loss, fever, fatigue, etc.
Other proposed risk factors for developing kidney cancer includes:
1. Smoking. Kidney cancer may be caused due directly to smoking, and it doubles the risk of developing cancer.
2. Long-term kidney failure. In this case, some patients receive dialysis over a long period of time, and may develop cysts in the kidneys. So kidney cancer may develop from the cells that line these cysts.
3. People who are overweight and eat a high-fat diet have a greater risk.
4. Adults between the ages of 50 to 70 years.
5. Men have double risk than women.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Life Expectancy of Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Most patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) concern that how long they can live once diagnosed with this disorder. So, let’s discuss the life expectancy of PKD patients in detail.
Actually, guessing the lifespan of PKD patients is far control of science, because many factors make it changeable, such as patients’ physique, illness condition and the treatment which they adopt. However, knowing everything possible about this condition can help you make informed decisions about the treatment.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is passed down through families (inherited), usually an autosomal dominant trait. It is the most common life threatening genetic disease which attacks between 1 in 400 to 1,000 people throughout the world. This disorder is featured by fluid-filled cysts that form in the nephrons of bilateral kidneys. Most patients with PKD eventually progress into Renal Failure. Moreover, Polycystic Kidney Disease is the fourth most common cause of Renal Failure.
Therefore, if you or your beloved has been diagnosed with this disease, it’s critical to find an effective treatment as soon as possible, which can help you prolong the life expectancy in a large degree.
Have you heard of Chinese herbal medicine? Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy is an herbal remedy, which can save the life of PKD patients.
As a kind of conservative treatment, Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy can treat PKD without pumping liquid. Through external application, we can shrink the cysts without any surgery, so patients suffer no pain. The medicine pads are applied to the bilateral renal area, and patients only need to lie on bed to receive treatment.
After being super-finely shattered, the effective medicine can permeate into the kidney lesions directly with the help of microwave. The medicine can improve the blood circulation and the active ingredients of the medicine have the effect of expanding blood vessels. In this way, we can increase the microcirculation and permeability of the cyst walls. Over time, the cyst liquid can be excreted through blood circulation and the cysts will be shrunk. Meanwhile, we can restrain the secretion of the epithelial cells, so the cyst is not easy to recur after being removed.
Besides, patients with PKD should also keep a positive attitude and set up the confidence to conquer the disease. Do not too much about the life expectancy. As long as you choose an effective treatment, you can live longer.
Monday, March 25, 2013
What are Symptoms of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
▲ Pain of renal area is a major symptom. It usually refers to constriction or dull pain, sharp pain, sometimes abdominal pain or tenderness. The pain may become serious after doing manual work, long-time work or sitting. The pain may also result from the internal haemorrhage of kidneys, kidney stones movement or infection.
▲ Nephromegaly. Due to inconsonant development of bilateral kidneys condition, their sizes are different. In the late stage of Polycystic Kidney Disease, the two kidneys can fill the whole enterocoelia. There are many cysts on the surface of kidneys, which are irregular in outline and solid in the texture.
▲ Blood in the urine (hematuria). Approximately half of children with Polycystic Kidney Disease present microscopic hematuria, and some have paroxysmal gross hematuria caused by the burst of cyst wall blood vessels. When kidneys are infected, there will be obvious pyuria, severe hematuria and back pain accompanied with fever.
▲ High blood pressure (hypertension). This is a common sign of children Polycystic Kidney Disease. Almost half of patients have high blood pressure before the serum creatinine increases, which is caused by the stress of cysts on neighboring tissues, inducing rennin, angiotensin and the response of aldosterone.
▲ Urinary tract infection. More than half of Polycystic Kidney Disease patients appear urinary tract infection, and is more prone to women than men.
Besides, other symptoms also include cysts in other organs, mass in abdomen, kidney stones and urine protein and do on. Patient should receive effective treatment to prevent the disease progress into Renal Failure.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Is Eating Fish Oil Bad for A Person with PKD
Fish oil
Fish oil contains oil expressed from the bodies of whole fish found in the depths of the North Atlantic. It is different from that as cod liver oil, which contains oil expressed from the livers of codfish.
Fish oil is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, abbreviated DHA and EPA, respectively. Omega-3 fatty acids is one of the two main classes of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are special fats that the body needs for optimum health. So, fish oil is a good choice for persons with PKD. Ask the doctor whether he thinks you would benefit from the supplement.
Moreover, patients should avoid several foods that are worst for PKD. These foods include as below:
▪ High-protein foods.
It is unwise for persons with Polycystic Kidney Disease to consume large amounts of protein. So, patients should avoid a high-protein diet.
▪ Salty food
Eat a low-salt diet can help slow down or prevent the loss of kidney function as well as control the high blood pressure. Patients should not add extra salt to the foods and also avoid processed and prepared foods.
▪ Caffeine-containing foods and drinks
Caffeine may increase the risk of enlargement of the cysts, so patients are advised to avoid coffee, tea, colas and other caffeine-containing foods and beverages.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Prognosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic Kidney Disease alters our kidneys' inner structure, eventually filling with multiple of cysts. The normal functioning kidney tissue is replaced by cystic cells, so some patients experience a decrease in kidney functioning. Almost all have high blood pressure and protein in urine. Then what's the prognosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)?
As the cysts expand in the kidneys, patients may appear progressive kidney enlargement and renal insufficiency, in addition to various extrarenal manifestations. Polycystic Kidney Disease can be inherited in autosomal dominant and recessive forms. With progressive enlargement of the kidneys, Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients will develop to renal failure by age 50 to 60. This disease accounts for 2.5% of all cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
In the U.S., Polycystic Kidney Disease is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure and approximately 600,000 people are affected by this illness. About 50 percent of people with autosomal dominant form of PKD develop to kidney failure by age 60 and about 60 percent will progress to kidney failure by age 70.
We can see that the prognosis of polycystic kidney disease is not good in general. However, if effective treatment can be adopted in time, we can prevent the progression to kidney failure so as to have a good control of the illness as have a favorable outcome.
The effective treatment should help us achieve these purposes including: 1) expand the blood vessels and improve the blood circulation on the cysts wall; 2) increase the permeability of the cyst wall; 3) shrink the cysts and reduce their pressure to the renal tissue; 4) improve the kidney function and the symptoms will all disappear naturally.
Friday, March 22, 2013
How does Polycystic Kidney Disease Affect the Patient
Polycystic Kidney Disease is a progressive disease and the development of this disorder can be divided into 5 stages. Different stages of PKD have varied effects to patient's life.
1. Emergence stage
As a kind of genetic disease, patients may be born with the cyst, but it is too small to be checked out before the age of 20. Therefore, for those people who have family history of PKD, you had better go for regular check in order to detect the disease as early as possible.
2. Growth stage
When patients are at the age of 30~40, the cyst will grow faster, and we need to closely observe the development of disease. In this stage, western medicine has no effective treatment and they consider that there is no need to adopt therapeutic method to treat but only to prescribe certain medicines to remedy various symptoms, such as high blood pressure. Actually, it's not wise to do like this, and you need to find better treatment in Chinese medicine to slow the growth of cyst and prevent further deterioration of your disease.
3. Tumefaction stage
Without timely measures, the cyst will grow continuously and swell after the age of 40. If the size of cyst grows to more than 4cm or cyst ulceration occurs, we call this stage tumefaction stage. Then you may present clinical manifestations including back pain, proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension and so on. Integrated Chinese and western medicine can still be used to repair the damaged renal function and treat polycystic kidney.
4. Cyst ulceration stage
Affected by some external factors, cyst ulceration may happen due to continuous growth of the cyst. In this case, what patient should do is to receive prompt treatment in hospital, have a good control of infection, avoid septicemia and repid deterioration of kidney function.
5. Uremia stage
If you progress to this stage unfortunately, you can still adopt positive treatment of Uremia and protect the remaining renal function. For those who are in the ultimate stage, you may have to under dialysis to sustain life.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
How Much Protein should PKD Patients Have
The features of protein include:
▪ Can't be stored, needs replenishing
▪ Builds muscles
▪ Used for tissue growth and repair, helps fight colds, flu and infections
▪ The kidneys process protein into a waste product-creatinine
▪ Too much intake is dangerous for kidneys (lead to PKD complications and raise Urea Nitrogen waste in blood, making you tired)
Classification
● Animal proteins: eggs, dairy, meat, poultry, fish
It is considered best as they are 'complete', and have the right amounts of what the body needs.
● Vegetable proteins: Grains, legumes, nuts/seeds
This is 'incomplete', as they are relatively low in one or more essential amino acids.
Patients with PKD and other kidney disease should eat the former high-quality, or complete kind.
As for the daily intake, the following are some suggestions:
1. Eat about 1g per kg ideal body weight per day
2. Avoid too much and too litter amount
3. Samples: Breakfast-Tea/coffee with milk (6g)
Lunch-Cottage cheese salad or lentil soup (12g) Dinner: fish dinner (27g)
4. For highly active people, you may need more amount. Please consult your doctor if uncertain.
5. This diet is not recommended for children or patients on dialysis.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
How does High Blood Pressure Affect PKD
With the development of PKD, many patients will present high blood pressure. What causes high blood pressure in PKD? How does high blood pressure affect your disease?
What causes high blood pressure in PKD?
In patients with PKD, there are numerous cysts growing in renal parenchyma. The gradual enlarged cysts will compress the normal renal tissues, causing short supply of oxygen and blood in kidneys. Then the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) , an automatic system in human body used to control blood pressure, can be activated.
In this condition, the jusxtaglomerular cells in kidneys will secrete increased number of renin. Renin is a kind of proteolytic enzyme which can promote the hydrolysis of proangiotensin existing in the plasma. The hydrolysate can be further decomposed by angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) into angiotensin II, which can shrink the micro-arteries in human body, causing elevated blood pressure levels.
How does high blood pressure affect PKD?
For patients with PKD accompanied with high blood pressure, if the high blood pressure can not get well controlled, there will present further damages to the kidneys, and patients may appear elevated creatinine levels. Further deterioration of kidney disease will lead to continuous increase of blood pressure, make heart enlarge, and eventually, heart failure will be caused.
In cases of rapid deterioration, Chronic Renal Failure, or even end-stage renal disease (ESRD) can be caused due to severe damages of kidneys. Therefore, we need to treat the high blood pressure in PKD as early as possible.
However, treatment for high blood pressure in kidney disease is different from that of primary hypertension. We should focus on treat PKD so that we can remit the suppression of cysts to the kidneys and slow down or even block the progression of illness condition. In this way, we can treat high blood pressure fundamentally.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Proper Diet to Control Your Polycystic Kidney Disease
A kidney support diet is generally considered as the best natural treatment for Polycystic Kidney Disease. It can control the various symptoms of PKD, keeping your kidneys healthy for longer. So dialysis can be delayed or even avoided. Therefore, arrange a proper diet is an effective way to slow the progression of your disease.
Low-protein diet
Protein is broken down by the liver, and a waste product called urea is produced. Our kidneys are responsible to get rid of wastes, so excess protein intake will put a strain on the kidneys.
The daily intake of 8g protein per kilo of body weight is recommended. You are suggested to eat less meat, cheese, and avoid beans, bean products. Use vegetables and grains as the main dishes and healthy fats such as avocados and olive oil can be added when excess calories are needed.
Low-salt diet
Cut back on salt can help you keep your electrolytes balanced. Electrolytes are vital minerals in the body, such as calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Kidneys can help us keep these in balance. Too much intake of salt can break the delicate balance, even causing high blood pressure in PKD.
Instead of using salt, you can use garlic powder, onion powder or other herbs and spices. Limit the use of sauces like soy sauce and ketchup. Avoid highly processed foods like meats, soups, and vegetables that come in cans.
No oxalic acid
Trying to avoid putting extra strain on your kidneys, you need to stay away from high oxalic acid foods, such as spinach, rhubarb, beets, eggplants, and cocoa.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Cause and Treatment of Polycystic Kidney Disease Acute Pain
More than 60% of patients with autosomal dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) suffer from pain in the abdomen and flank side. The pain may be acute or chronic. This text provides an detailed introduction about cause and treatment of PKD acute pain, and we hope that it can be helpful to you.
Cause
Acute pain in PKD can be caused by complications such as infected cysts, cyst rupture/hemorrhage and kidney stones.
● Infected cysts can lead to diffuse pain that is unilateral or bilateral. The most common presentation of cyst infection is a sudden increase in flank pain related with fever.
● Hemorrhage is another common cause of acute pain in the flank in association with gross hematuria. This bleeding can be into communicating urinary tract. Gross hematuria may occur in over 50% of patients with PKD. Episodes of bleeding before the age of 30 carry a worse prognosis.
● Kidney stones. Approximately 1/3 of people with PKD will develop stones in the kidneys. This is a cause of significant morbidity in ADPKD due to flank pain, hematuria, and UTIs.
Treatment
Corresponding treatment is adopted depending on specific causes. In general, over-the-counter medicines are used to treat pain. Serious pain is treated by surgery to drain cysts, which can provide only temporary relief. It is wise for people with PKD acute pain to find a thorough method.
Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy is a kind of Chinese herbal remedy. It can function to prevent continuous growth of the cysts, and shrink the enlarged cysts. In this way, we can eliminate PKD acute pain successfully after certain period of treatment.
How to Manage My Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in the Daily Life
Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) need to receive effective treatment as well as develop a healthy daily care. The following are some suggestions, and we hope they are helpful for all patients.
■ Have a good control of blood pressure.
Most of people with PKD have high blood pressure before renal function occurs damage. The occurrence of high blood pressure may accelerate the decline of kidney function. Besides, it may lead to cerebrovascular damage. Therefore, have a good control of the blood pressure is very important. Generally, you had better control it within 130/80mmHg.
■ Arrange a reasonable diet.
A healthy diet can help you control your PKD better. Since the kidneys have been damaged with different degrees, so they can not functional adequately to remove the metabolism wastes. Based on your individual illness condition, you need to limit the intake of protein, sodium, fat, etc. You are recommended to follow doctor's advice.
■ Pay attention to preventing cold and trauma.
People with PKD are suggested to take care of them cautiously on daily basis and prevent catching a cold, which may aggravate and speed up the progression of the disease.
The bilateral kidneys may become enlarged continuously due to increases pressure within cysts caused by continuous enlargement of the cysts. In this case, any slight trauma will increase both the internal abdominal pressure and the impact of external force to the enlarged cysts, thus leading to ruptures and bleeding of cysts. Then you also become more susceptible to infections.
Besides, people with PKD should be confident to fight off the disease, and keep a positive attitude toward the treatment. With the development of modern medical technology, an innovative therapy of traditional Chinese medicine is created by Chinese nephrologists, called Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy, which is testified to be most effective in treating PKD.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
How does Headache Occur in PKD
1. Headaches that are serious or that seem to feel different from other headaches may be caused by aneurysms, or swollen blood vessels, in the brain.
Aneurysms appears more frequently with PKD and with a history of a previous family member having had this condition. A headache from an aneurysm is said to be the worse one in the world. Migraine headaches at times occur when one is affected by serious polycystic liver disease.
For those who have a family history of this aneurysms, they should ask the doctor for an MRI of the brain to determine if they might have this severe complication of PKD. Untreated, the brain aneurysm is very susceptible to rupture, thus leading to irreversible brain damage, or even death.
2. Headaches also can be caused by high blood pressure.
With the progression of kidney disease, high blood pressure is often present, occurring in over 75% of patients with PKD. Some patients with very high blood pressure are more likely to have migraine headaches, as the blood is being forced harder through the blood vessels. Lifestyle modifications or blood pressure medications may help control this symptom.
A PKD sufferer with recurring or serious headaches should talk to a doctor before using any medications.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Complications of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited disease, which means that the disease is passed on from parents to children through genes. People with the disease can be asymptomatic and may become symptomatic usually by ages 30 to 50. The most common clinical manifestations of PKD include back or side pain, tenderness around the abdomen, or a feeling of fullness. With the development of PKD, there may appear some complications as follows.
Ⅰ. High blood pressure (hypertension)
This occurs in about 60% to 70% of people with PKD and for many is the first sign of the disease. Due to the presence and gradual enlargement of multiple cysts, the normal kidney structure is altered. Consequently, the kidney function of monitoring blood volume is disturbed and more renin is secreted, causing elevated level of blood pressure.
Ⅱ. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Ⅲ. Decline in kidney function
With the progressive growth and multiplying of cysts in the kidneys, the renal functional cells and tissues are damaged, thus causing gradual decline of kidney function. If the disease progress to end-stage renal failure, patients have to receive dialysis or renal transplant.
Ⅳ. Kidney stones
About 20% to 30% of people with PKD develop kidney stones. They usually suffer from dull pain in the renal region. If there is colic or sharp pain as well as gross hematuria, it may indicate the appearance of kidney stones.
Ⅴ. Cysts in other parts of the body
Although the kidneys are the main site affected, cysts may also develop in other parts of the body, such as the liver, pancreas, seminal vesicles, and the arachnoid membrane (tissue next to the brain).
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Treatment Options
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. PKD cysts can profoundly enlarge the kidneys while replacing much of the normal structure, leading to decreased kidney function and leading to Renal Failure.
Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease often suffer from increase of nocturia, lumbago, high blood pressure, etc. There is hematuria and little proteinuria in urine test. Then how to treat Polycystic Kidney Disease in western countries?
◆ Anti-infection mainly aims at treating kidney stones, high blood pressure and hematuria.
◆ Surgical treatment includes decorbicatiou, tapping, and laparoscopy.
◆ Kidney transplant or dialysis.
◆ Non-operative treatment including treating complications.
Though the above methods have obvious effects and can control the development of the disease after the treatment, Polycystic Kidney Disease will recur soon, because these methods only cure the symptoms but not the disease. It is wise for you to find other systemic treatment.
Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy for Polycystic Kidney Disease in China
After being permeated into patients’ body, these natural herbs can make cysts shrink gradually. Through promoting the permeability of cyst wall, cyst liquid will be reabsorbed into blood vessels, and then will be discharged out of body along urine. Moreover, Micro-Chinese Medicine can dilate the renal blood vessels, so nutrition supply to the kidneys can be enhanced. Combined with the function of degrading the extracellular matrix, the renal ischemia and hypoxia can be improved and the perfusion flow of the blood to the kidneys will be increased, so the filtration ability of the kidneys will be improved. In this case, those epithelial cells of cystic wall can be prevented from further secreting, and small cysts won’t grow any more.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Suggested Diet for Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Generally, patients with PKD should have a low-fat and high-antioxidant diet. It is said that plant proteins can help lower the blood pressure and slow the growth of kidney cysts. Studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and slow the progression of PKD as well; it also has anti-hypertensive and lipid lowering effects.
High-fiber foods, which can combat insulin resistance, are also recommended—high insulin levels have been linked with heart disease and may accelerate the progression of PKD. Unlike other kinds of kidney diseases, patients with PKD require higher levels of potassium.
Foods can be taken by PKD patients:
▲ Soy protein : tofu, miso, tempeh.
▲ Foods that have high omega-3 content: salmon, herring, mackerel , anchovies, flaxseed, walnuts, pecans.
▲ High-potassium content foods: papaya, prune juice, honeydew, cantaloupe melon, banana, raisins, mango, pears, orange, orange juice, sweet potatoes.
▲ High-fiber content foods: spinach, broccoli, cabbage, pomegranate, grains. Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is recommended, since they are excellent sources of vitamins and fiber.
Besides, patients with PKD should also know foods to be avoided. Limit the intake of animal protein. Excess amounts of salt, caffeine, and alcohol should also be avoided. Below is a list of a sample of what not to eat.
▼ Foods that have high sodium content: corned beef, instant noodles, potato chips, cured ham, table salt, preserved foods.
▼ High-protein foods: red meat, chicken, groundnuts, corn, lentils, chickpeas.
▼ Food that have high sugar content: cola drinks, chocolates, artificial sugars, powdered juices.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic condition in which many cysts form in the kidneys, eventually affecting the ability of the kidneys to function. Depending on the type of PKD, symptoms often begin either in early adulthood, between the ages of 30~40 years, or in infancy or early childhood. Both men and women of all races are likely to be affected equally.
Causes
PKD is an inherit disease, which includes two types, called Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) and Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD).
90% of patients belong to ADPKD, or adult PKD, and it occurs when one parent has passed the gene on to a child. The gene is dominant, and there is a 50% chance that a child will get PKD if one parent has this disorder. However, in some cases the disease may occur spontaneously due to a new genetic mutation other than inherited from parents.
10% of patients (mainly infants and children) suffer from the rarer ARPKD, and it happens when the parents carry the gene but are not affected by PKD. There is a 25% chance that a child born to parents that are both carriers will get the disease. If only one parent carries the gene, children will not be affected.
Symptoms
● Back or side pain
● Tenderness around the abdomen
● Hematuria
● Hypertension
● Urinary tract infection
Treatment
The traditional treatments for PKD include medications, surgery (remove the cysts), dialysis and kidney transplant. Immunotherapy available for PKD may consists some of:
● Brand new medications
● Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy
● Immunotherapy
● Immune clearance: immunosorption, plasmapheresis and blood purification
Features
● No toxin or side effects to human body.
● Help patients avoid the surgery and control the progression of PKD.
● Help patients in the early stage avoid dialysis. Prolong the interval of dialysis for those in advanced stage.
● Significantly extends survival time with a good quality of life.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Complications of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited disease, which means that the disease is passed on from parents to children through genes. People with the disease can be asymptomatic and may become symptomatic usually by ages 30 to 50. The most common clinical manifestations of PKD include back or side pain, tenderness around the abdomen, or a feeling of fullness. With the development of PKD, there may appear some complications as follows.
Ⅰ. High blood pressure (hypertension)
This occurs in about 60% to 70% of people with PKD and for many is the first sign of the disease. Due to the presence and gradual enlargement of multiple cysts, the normal kidney structure is altered. Consequently, the kidney function of monitoring blood volume is disturbed and more renin is secreted, causing elevated level of blood pressure.
Ⅱ. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
UTI is common among people with PKD, which include cystitis, pyelonephritis, infection of cyst and perinephric abscess. For female patients, urinary tract examination is one of the risk factors, because while doing it, equipments may lead to infection in urinary tract.
Ⅲ. Decline in kidney function
With the progressive growth and multiplying of cysts in the kidneys, the renal functional cells and tissues are damaged, thus causing gradual decline of kidney function. If the disease progress to end-stage renal failure, patients have to receive dialysis or renal transplant.
Ⅳ. Kidney stones
About 20% to 30% of people with PKD develop kidney stones. They usually suffer from dull pain in the renal region. If there is colic or sharp pain as well as gross hematuria, it may indicate the appearance of kidney stones.
Ⅴ. Cysts in other parts of the body
Although the kidneys are the main site affected, cysts may also develop in other parts of the body, such as the liver, pancreas, seminal vesicles, and the arachnoid membrane (tissue next to the brain).
The above are some complications of PKD. Though the disease is asymptomatic in the initial stage, you should take your illness condition seriously and receive prompt treatment as early as possible. In this way, we can control the enlargement of cysts as well as prevent the complications.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
What are the Causes of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is most commonly believed to equally affect men and women of all races. Approximately 12.5 million of people worldwide have this disease. In Americans, for example, this disease is the number four cause of Renal Failure, and currently about 600, 000 persons in the U.S. have this kidney disease. The vast majority cause lies in defective genes; however, it can also develop on its own.
● Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)
This form accounts for around 90 percent of cases with this disease duet to abnormal genes. Patients may develop signs and symptoms at the ages of 30~40. Adult are often affected by it, however, children can also develop this disorder. The child has a 50% chance of getting the disease if one patent has it.
● Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD)
This type is less common than the above which is also caused due to genetic mutation. The signs and symptoms often present shortly after birth. In some cases, symptoms don't appear under later in childhood or during adolescence. Both parents must have abnormal genes to pass on this disorder. The child has a 25% chance of getting this disease if both parent carry a gene for this disorder.
● Acquired cystic kidney disease
Acquired cystic kidney disease, another kind of PKD develops on its own. It occurs in 90 percent of people on dialysis for 5 years or more. The reason of cysts formation in the kidneys can be an unidentified wastes are not removed through dialysis. Kidney Failure may also cause this disease.
If you have this disease and are considering having children, you should discuss this with the doctor in detail so as to decide whether pregnancy is safe or not. Remind to keep the kidneys healthy so as to help prevent the development of complications.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
How does a Person Get Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Polycystic kidney disease causes numerous cysts to form in both kidneys. People cannot catch PKD from a virus or by being exposed to another person who has it. It is hereditary and there are two forms of the disease that are passed down from a parent.
1. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)
It is by far the most common form, making up about 90% of all cases of polycystic kidney disease. It is passed from parent to child. If one of the parents has this disorder, the child have a 50% chance of inheriting it. About 10% of persons with ADPKD have not inherited the disease from a parent, but have a gene that mutated causing the disease.
2. Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD)
This is a rare form of the disease and strikes infant, sometimes even before birth. The parents who carry the gene do not have polycystic kidney disease, so they don't know they are carrying the problematic gene. This type only appears in 25% of the children of couples who both carry the gene.
Once a person gets polycystic kidney disease and numerous cysts from in the kidneys, so the kidneys get severely enlarged. The cysts also take place of normal kidney tissues. With less normal kidney tissue, the kidneys are unable to function normally, and finally the kidneys may fail.
About half of people with the most common type of polycystic kidney disease will progress to end-stage renal disease. If this happens, the patient needs to rely on regular dialysis or kidney transplant to sustain life. Therefore, it is vital for patients to receive effective treatment as early as possible.
Immunotherapy for polycystic kidney disease is the latest approach in 2012 in our hospital. After many years research on this disease, our experts team find the newest way to treat PKD-immunotherapy. As a kind of natural treatment, immunotherapy include traditional Chinese medicine, Immunotherapy and immune clearance.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Causes of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is genetic condition in which multiple fluid-filled sacs or cysts develop throughout the kidneys. What are causes of Polycystic Kidney Disease?
① Genic mutation
② Infections
Various infections of the upper respiratory tract, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin, etc will lead to abnormal changes in the internal environment, which may conduce to the changes of cystic genes and increased activity of cystic internal factors, thus accelerating the growth of cysts. As a result, the renal function will decrease rapidly.
③ Toxins
Toxins can damage various cells, tissues and organs after they invade the human body, and there may present various diseases, some of which even threaten patient’ life. As for patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease, their illness can be easily aroused by somatic damage caused by retention of toxins. These toxins include pesticide, pollution, radioactive rays, and certain chemicals. In addition, some medicines which have renal toxicity may also impair the kidneys.
④ Diet
Polycystic Kidney Disease patients have abnormal genes within the body, and the disease may arise from improper dietary habits. Bad dietary habits include starvation or satiety, unhygienic diet (barbecue), food preference (spicy, salty, greasy food).
⑤ Imbalance between labor and rest
Overwork are harmful to our health and will certainly influence the changes of cystic disease. The disease can be affected by excessive manual and mental work as well as excessive sex without control. We suggest patients doing proper activities, which are necessary to their health.
Learning about Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Diagnosis
When making a Polycystic Kidney Disease diagnosis, the doctor may ask a number of questions associated with the medical history, other medical conditions you may have and whether you have a family history of any conditions, including PKD. Besides, certain tests can be performed to detect the size and number of kidney cysts as well as evaluate the kidney function.
● Ultrasound examination
This a common diagnostic method, in which sound waves passes through the body to create a picture of the kidneys. Ultrasound imaging does not use any injected dyes or radiation, so it is safe for all patients, including pregnant women.
● Other imaging tests
More powerful and expensive imaging procedures, such as computed tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can also detect cysts. Recently, MRI has been used to measure kidney and cyst volume and monitor kidney and cyst growth, which may serve as a way to track progression of the disease.
● Genetic testing
This test can help us detect mutations in the autosomal dominant PKD genes, called PKD1 and PKD2. However, its usefulness is limited by two factors; it cannot predict the onset of symptoms or ultimate severity of the disease, and no specific prevention or cure of the disease is available. On the other hand, this test can help a young person detect the gene mutation, so he may be able to prevent the disease through diet and blood pressure control.
Only with accurate diagnosis, can we treat Polycystic Kidney Disease accordingly, so patients had better make the above knowledge clear.
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