Kidney is a very important organ of our body, which filters the blood and removes waste materials and excess water from the body, but when this organ itself becomes sick, many functions of the body start getting affected. Recently, Premanand Ji Maharaj’s kidney related disease has once again reminded us how dangerous ignoring kidney problems can prove to be.
Dr. Shri Ram Kabra told that (Director – Department of Nephrology and Kidney, Maringo Asia Hospitals Faridabad) One of the serious diseases related to kidney is Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). It is a genetic disease, which can also be found in other members of the family. In this disease, many small water-filled blisters (cysts) start forming inside the kidneys. With time, these cysts grow, due to which the kidney becomes larger in size and its normal functionality starts decreasing.
Main types of polycystic kidney disease-
1. Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) –
This type is usually found in adults. Its symptoms start appearing after the age of 30 to 40 years. It is often transferred from parents to children through a gene.
2. Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD) –
This disease occurs in children or newborns and is considered more serious because it can affect the kidneys in the early years of life.
3. Cysts can also form in long-term kidney failure
4. In some cases, kidney cysts can also be cancerous.
9 dangerous symptoms of kidney disease which should not be ignored – 1. Facial Puffiness – Swelling of the face or eyelids after waking up in the morning can be an early sign of kidney failure.
2. Persistent pain in the stomach or back – This indicates growth of the cyst or infection.
3. Blood in urine (Hematuria) – Occurs due to kidney cyst bursting or bleeding.
4. Frequent urination, especially at night – This is a sign of reduced filtering capacity of the kidneys.
5. High blood pressure (High BP) – This is a major and dangerous symptom of polycystic kidney disease.
6. Foam or foul smell in urine – This may be a sign of protein leaking or infection
7. Fatigue and weakness – A person gets tired quickly due to accumulation of toxins in the body and lack of blood.
8. Shortness of breath or nausea – These symptoms arise due to accumulation of excess fluid in the body.
9. Anemia (Blood deficiency) – Red blood cells decrease due to less production of ‘Erythropoietin’ hormone from the kidneys.
Treatment and important precautions-Keep doing regular kidney function test (KFT) and blood pressure monitoring.
It is very important to keep blood pressure under control, because it can aggravate the disease.
Eat a balanced diet – avoid salt, red meat and processed foods
Control water intake as per doctor’s advice
Do not ignore advice about dialysis or kidney transplant
If someone in the family has this disease, then get other members also tested.
Dr. Shri Ram Kabra says that if polycystic kidney disease is detected on time, the patient can live a completely normal life, but if the symptoms are ignored, this disease can take the form of kidney failure. Timely diagnosis, adherence to medicines and improvement in lifestyle are the most effective ways to prevent this disease. Premanand Ji Maharaj’s illness has made it clear that kidney related problems grow silently, but the consequences can be very serious.
Swelling of the face, changes in urination or persistent fatigue. All these signs are warnings that your kidneys are crying for help. If proper testing and treatment is started in time, patients with polycystic kidney disease can also live a long, healthy and normal life.