Biology

In normal cases, nephrons filter out wastes, excess substances, and fluids from the blood. However, in individuals with polycystic kidney disease, kidneys become enlarged with numerous clusters of cyst, which interfere with the normal renal function. This sometimes results in renal failure and thus, demanding for kidney transplant or dialysis. Besides, cysts may as well develop in other body organs, especially the liver and pancreas.

Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary disorder and thus, the inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant. Since the disease occurs equally in both male and female, each offspring encompasses a fifty percent probability of inheriting the affected chromosome and therefore, the disease. In approximately ninety percent of these cases, an affected individual inherits the defect gene or mutation from either one or both parents. Only ten percent of these cases emanate from novel mutations in one of the genes and take place in persons without any history of the disorder in family.

Frequent signs and symptoms associated with polycystic kidney disease include hypertension, back pains, blood in urine, kidney stones, heart valve abnormalities, frequent urination, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Additionally, individual with this kidney disease have an escalated danger of an abnormal bulging of aorta or other blood vessels. At this moment there is no definite treatment for this deadly disorder. However, it is important, vital, and essential for any person with this disorder to have regular medical checkups. Treatment is heavily limited to complications, such as hypertension, infection, and kidney stones. Intake of low protein and fat diet may as well slow the disease progress.