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How does adult polycystic kidney disease usually present?

User Petehern
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Adult polycystic kidney disease (PKD) commonly presents with symptoms such as high blood pressure, abdominal pain, headaches, and blood in the urine. The condition can lead to kidney failure, resulting in additional symptoms like nausea and swelling of extremities. PKD symptoms often necessitate treatments like kidney transplantation or hemodialysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

How does adult polycystic kidney disease usually present? This condition, known as polycystic kidney disease (PKD), is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of multiple abnormal cysts in the kidneys. The usual presentations of PKD include high blood pressure, headaches, abdominal pain, blood in the urine, and excessive urination.

PKD can lead to complications such as kidney failure, necessitating treatments like kidney transplantation or hemodialysis. Kidney failure associated with this condition can cause symptoms including nausea, variations in urination frequency, muscle cramps, anemia, swelling of extremities, and shortness of breath from fluid accumulation in the lungs.

There are two types of PKD, with the autosomal dominant type being more common. The development of cysts can commence at any stage of life, from infancy to adulthood, typically affecting both kidneys. Diagnosis often involves recognizing these symptoms alongside known family history or detecting the cysts via medical imaging.

User Fire Fist
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