Hypertension And Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a systemic hereditary disorder characterized by renal and extrarenal involvement with cystic and noncystic manifestations . Hypertension is an early and frequent finding of PKD, occurring in approximately 60% of the patients before the renal function has become impaired . Hypertension has an important impact on the morbidity and mortality of these patients. PKD patients with hypertension have a more rapid loss of renal function . Moreover, hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular death, the most frequent cause of mortality in PKD patients .
Polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited kidney disease, characterized by gradual and progressive cyst growth and renal enlargement, resulting in a decline in kidney function and the development of renal failure. Hypertension is common and occurs early, prior to the loss of renal function, with 29 years being the mean age of diagnosis. The pathophysiology of hypertension is multifactorial and is characterized by hyperactivity of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, activation of the sympathetic nervous system and endothelial dysfunction. Early antihypertensive therapy appears to postpone the development of renal failure and cardiovascular events in this disorder. This chapter reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of hypertension in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Polycystic kidney disease isn’t limited to your kidneys, although the kidneys usually are the most severely affected organs. The disease can cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in your body.
A common complication of polycystic kidney disease is high blood pressure. Kidney failure is another common problem for people with polycystic kidney disease.
Polycystic kidney disease varies greatly in its severity, and some complications are preventable. Lifestyle changes and medical treatments may help reduce damage to your kidneys from complications, such as high blood pressure.

Diet Plan For Polycystic Kidney Disease

About PKD diet, here are some advices in daily life. You should follow the diet, and it will do you some help.
You have less food at one time but more times in one day to keep energetic and nutritious.
1. PKD patients should have more water (4000ml) and the urine output should be maintained at about 2000-2500ml.
2. Polluted foods which can cause gastrointestinal diseases or even poisoning symptoms should be forbidden.
3. PKD patients should have a diet with low salt, low fat and low protein. They should avoid beef and mutton, animal innards as well as spicy and excitant foods. Uncooked and cold foods which may injure spleen and stomach should be limited in a certain amount which should depend on patients' specific illness and physical conditions.
4. More fruit and vegetables with rich vitamins are suggested especially those that have the functions of dissolving stones and diuresis. Alkaline foods should also be eaten more.
5. PKD patients should avoid alcohol, tobacco, strong tea and foods and drinks containing caffeine.
Diet control is helpful in controlling cysts. But diet can’t treat the cysts. You should pay more attention to the treatment on shrinking the cysts, the damaged kidenys and recover the damaged kidney function. That’s the right treatment and really can help you with your disease.