Treatment|
|
There's currently no cure for autosomal
dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and it isn't possible to stop cysts
forming in the kidneys.
Medicines can control high blood pressure
in autosomal recessive PKD, and antibiotics can control urinary tract
infections. Eating increased amounts of nutritious food improves growth in
children with autosomal recessive PKD. In some cases, growth hormones are used.
In response to kidney failure, autosomal recessive PKD patients must receive
dialysis or transplantation. If serious liver disease develops, some people can
undergo combined liver and kidney transplantation.
If you have polycystic kidney disease and a
family history of ruptured brain (intracranial) aneurysms, your doctor may
recommend regular screening for intracranial aneurysms.
If an aneurysm is discovered, surgical
clipping of the aneurysm to reduce the risk of bleeding may be an option,
depending on its size. Nonsurgical treatment of small aneurysms may involve
controlling high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, as well as quitting
smoking.
Tolvaptan is a medication
can be used to slow down the growth of cysts, reducing
overall kidney growth and preserving kidney function for longer. However,
tolvaptan can only be used in adults who have:
Chronic kidney disease (stage two or three)
at the start of treatment
Evidence of rapidly progressing kidney
disease
Tolvaptan comes
in tablet form and is taken twice a day as a split dose. Please consult your
doctor for further advice about this medication.
Prevention|
|
It is not currently possible to prevent
autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).
If a family member is diagnosed with ADPKD,
close adult relatives such as brothers and sisters may wish to be screened for
the condition, even if they have not developed symptoms.
If the person diagnosed has children, they
may wish their children to be screened or tested, to check if they have
inherited the condition. If it can be diagnosed early, treatment can be put in
place, aiming to prevent complications and slow down damage to the kidneys.
It is particularly important to identify
and treat high blood pressure as early as possible. High blood pressure can
make damage to the kidneys worse. High blood pressure also increases the risk
of other conditions, for example, heart disease and stroke.
If you know that your family has a history
of ADPKD and you want to try for a baby, it is best to speak with your doctor
first.
If you have polycystic kidney disease and
you're considering having children, a genetic counselor can help you assess
your risk of passing the disease to your offspring.
