Polycystic Kidney Disease Essay

Background information

Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited kidney condition that causes cysts to grow on the kidneys. Commonly referred to as PKD, Polycystic kidney disease is present in two different forms, autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive. Autosomal dominant is much more common, and both variations cause about 5% of kidney failure in the world. There are two types of autosomal dominant PKD depending on the gene mutated. The two are usually defined by the age symptoms are present, autosomal dominant showing signs later in life and autosomal recessive earlier. Autosomal recessive PKD is also much more fatal. About 500,000 people in America have PKD. It can also affect other organs, such as the liver. PKD takes over much of the kidneys and other organs causing complications or kidney failure. There is also a form of kidney disease similar to
Someone with a family history of PKD is usually carefully monitored for the condition and knows the symptoms. They would usually know what to look for and it can be detected early. However to fully diagnose PKD, you need medical testing and imagining. A doctor would also need to review your family’s medical history to make sure it is PKD you have and not acquired cystic kidney disease. Some equipment used for diagnosing the disease includes abdominal ultrasound, abdominal CT and MRI scanners, and an intravenous pyelogram. Abdominal ultrasounds use sound waves to make out images of organs in someone's abdomen. MRI scans use magnetic fields and the water in one’s body to make out images, as well as the CT scan, but a CT scan uses x-rays. Intravenous pyelogram is an imaging machine directed specifically for the lower abdomen organs. It is a non-invasive test that uses materials in veins to make out images. These machines help to determine whether the patient has polycystic kidney disease or what other condition they might