Kidney Cysts – Symptoms and Treatment
It is estimated that at least one kidney cyst is present in people over 50 years of age. This fluid filled lesion in the kidney is largely a harmless condition.
Simple kidney cysts
One or several cysts might form on the small tubes of the kidneys. The fluid filled sacs do not cause any damage to the kidneys. The cysts usually heal naturally. Occasionally, a cyst on the kidney might become too large, pushing against neighboring organs. Surgery might be required for removing large cysts. Rarely simple cysts might become infected. Infected cysts might bleed or cause pain. Although there is no noticeable symptom of kidney cysts, sometimes kidney cysts might be responsible for causing high blood pressure.
Although, the exact cause of kidney cysts is unknown, you could reduce the risk of cyst formation with proper diet. Drinking plenty of water and fluids could improve your kidney function. Removing toxins accumulating in your body by taking foods that help in bowel movement, you could prevent complications.
Polycystic kidney
Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disease in which large number cysts are present in a kidney. Unlike simple kidney cysts, polycystic kidney disease is harmful for the kidney. It is one of the leading causes of kidney failure. The numerous large cysts formed in the kidney damages the internal structure of the kidney. Gradually, this condition leads to kidney failure. People suffering from polycystic kidney disease might have cysts also in other organs of the body such as the liver. The symptoms of polycystic kidney cysts are urinary tract infection, high blood pressure, kidney stones, blood in the urine, colon problems and problems in the heart valve and disorders in the blood vessels, brain and heart.
Polycystic kidney disease is a complicated kidney disorder. Antibiotic medications are prescribed for treating recurring urinary tract infections. To normalize the blood pressure, the patient suffering from this kidney problem should take blood pressure reducing drugs. If the kidney is severely damaged, dialysis will be required. To prevent further kidney damage, the person with polycystic kidney disease should limit intake of sodium, potassium, phosphorous and protein rich foods.
