Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within the kidneys, causing the kidneys to enlarge and lose function over time. Cysts are noncancerous round sacs containing fluid. The cysts vary in size, and they can grow very large. Having many cysts or large cysts can damage the kidneys.

Polycystic kidney disease can also cause cysts to develop in our liver and elsewhere in our body. The disease can cause serious complications, including high blood pressure and kidney failure.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) varies greatly in its severity, and some complications are preventable. Abnormal genes cause polycystic kidney disease, which means that in most cases, the disease runs in families. Sometimes, a genetic mutation occurs on its own (spontaneous), so that neither parent has a copy of the mutated gene.

There are two main types of polycystic kidney disease, caused by different genetic flaws:

• Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This form accounts for most of the cases of polycystic kidney disease. Signs and symptoms of ADPKD often develop between the ages of 30 and 40. In the past, this type was called adult polycystic kidney disease, but children can develop the disorder. Only one parent needs to have the disease for it to pass to the children. If one parent has autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, each child has a 50% chance of getting the disease.

• Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). This type is far less common than is ADPKD. The signs and symptoms often appear shortly after birth but sometimes, symptoms don’t appear until later in childhood or during adolescence. Both parents must have abnormal genes to pass on this form of the disease. If both parents carry a gene for this disorder, each child has a 25% chance of getting the disease.

Symptoms of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease symptoms can include:

• High blood pressure.
• Back or side pain.
• Hematuria (Blood in urine).
• A feeling of fullness in abdomen.
• Increased size of abdomen due to enlarged kidneys.
• Headaches.
• Kidney stones.
• Kidney failure.
• Urinary tract or kidney infections.

Complications

Complications associated with polycystic kidney disease include:

• High blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is a common complication of polycystic kidney disease. Untreated, high blood pressure can cause further damage to the kidneys and increase risk of heart disease and strokes.
• Loss of kidney function. Progressive loss of kidney function (failure) is one of the most serious complications of polycystic kidney disease. Nearly half of those with the disease have kidney failure by age 60.

Polycystic kidney disease can interfere with the ability of our kidneys to keep wastes from building to toxic levels, a condition called uremia. As the disease worsens, end-stage kidney (renal) disease may result, necessitating ongoing kidney dialysis or a transplant to prolong patient’s life.

• Chronic pain. Pain is a common symptom for patients with polycystic kidney disease. It often occurs in patient’s side or back. The pain can also be associated with a urinary tract infection, a kidney stone or a malignancy.
• Growth of cysts in the liver. The likelihood of developing liver cysts for someone with polycystic kidney disease increases with age. While both men and women develop cysts, women often develop larger cysts. Female hormones and some allopathic drugs might contribute to liver cyst development.
• Development of an aneurysm in the brain. A balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel (aneurysm) in the brain can cause bleeding (hemorrhage) if it ruptures. Patients with polycystic kidney disease have a higher risk of aneurysms. People with a family history of aneurysms seem to be at highest risk.
• Pregnancy complications. Pregnancy is successful for most women with polycystic kidney disease. In some cases, however, women may develop a life-threatening disorder called preeclampsia. Those most at risk have high blood pressure or a decline in kidney function before they become pregnant.
• Heart valve abnormalities. As many as 1 in 4 adults with polycystic kidney disease develops mitral valve prolapse. When this happens, the heart valve no longer closes properly, which allows blood to leak backward.
• Colon problems. Weaknesses and pouches or sacs in the wall of the colon (diverticulosis) may develop in people with polycystic kidney disease.

Diagnosis

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is usually diagnosed by ultrasound of the kidneys, CT scans and MRI tests. The number and size of the cysts increase with age. Thus, even only two cysts in each kidney of a 30-year-old patient who also has a family history of the disease is a strong indicator. A genetic test to detect mutations is usually confirmatory but is not always necessary once symptoms develop.

Allopathic treatment for polycystic disease

The severity of polycystic kidney disease varies from person to person — even among members of the same family. Often, people with polycystic kidney disease reach end-stage kidney disease between ages 55 to 65. But some people with polycystic kidney disease have a mild disease and might never progress to end-stage.

Treating polycystic kidney disease involves dealing with the following signs, symptoms and complications in their early stages:

• Kidney cyst growth. Tolvaptan therapy may be recommended for adults at risk of rapidly progressive ADPKD. Tolvaptan (Jynarque, Samsca) is a pill that you take by mouth that works to slow the rate of kidney cyst growth and the decline in how well your kidneys work.

There’s a risk of serious liver injury when taking tolvaptan, and it can interact with other allopathic medicines, so patient should be monitored for side effects and possible complications.

• High blood pressure. Controlling high blood pressure can delay the progression of the disease and slow further kidney damage. Combining a low-sodium, low-fat diet that’s moderate in protein and calorie content with not smoking, completely avoid alcohol, increasing exercise and reducing stress may help control high blood pressure.

However, allopathic medications are usually needed (life-long) to control high blood pressure. Medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are often used to control high blood pressure.

• Declining kidney function. To help kidneys stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible, allopathic experts recommend maintaining a normal body weight (body mass index). Drinking water and fluids throughout the day may help slow the growth of kidney cysts, which in turn could slow down a decline in kidney function. Following a low-salt diet and eating less protein might allow kidney cysts to respond better to the increase in fluids.
• You might be able to control the pain of polycystic kidney disease with over-the-counter medications containing acetaminophen. For some people, however, the pain is more severe and constant. Your doctor might recommend a procedure using a needle to draw out cyst fluid and inject a medication (sclerosing agent) to shrink kidney cysts. Or you may need surgery to remove cysts if they’re large enough to cause pressure and pain.
• Bladder or kidney infections. Prompt treatment of infections with antibiotics is necessary to prevent kidney damage. Your doctor may investigate whether you have a simple bladder infection or a more complicated cyst or kidney infection. For more complicated infections, you may need to take a longer course of antibiotics.
• Hematuria. You’ll need to drink lots of fluids, preferably plain water, as soon as you notice blood in your urine to dilute the urine. Dilution might help prevent obstructive clots from forming in your urinary tract. In most cases, the bleeding will stop on its own. If it doesn’t, it’s important to contact your doctor.
• Kidney failure. If your kidneys lose their ability to remove waste products and extra fluids from your blood, you’ll eventually need either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Seeing your doctor regularly for monitoring of PKD allows for the best timing of a kidney transplant. You may be able to have a preemptive kidney transplant, which means you wouldn’t need to start dialysis but would have the transplant instead.
• 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.

Early allopathic treatment may offer the best chance of slowing polycystic kidney disease progression.

Homeopathic Treatment for Polycystic Kidney Disease

Low-salt diet will cause inflammation in arteries that’s why patient shouldn’t stop talking salt (Dr Qaisar Ahmed), however patient have to take potassium rich products/food as much as possible and stop eating pork, broiler and white sugar, this will allow kidney cysts to respond to Homeopathic medicines and it will increase in fluids and cyst will be subside in few days of Homeopathic treatment. Here are few Homeopathic medicines for polycystic kidney disease:

Aconite Nepalis

Inflammations. Gland inflammations. Nephritis. Urine suppression, pressure in the bladder and pains in the loins. Frequent urination, accompanied by anxiety and pain. Flow of urine, with sweat, diarrhea, and colic. Involuntary emission of urine (relaxation of the neck of the bladder). Enuresis, with thirst. Urine scanty, burning, deep red, and with a sediment. Bloody sediment in the urine (hematuria). Scanty, red, hot urine.

Belladona

Urine retention. Auria. Continual dribbling of urine. When passing urine stool escape. Polyuria, copious, pale, and watery, sometimes with profuse perspiration, thirst, increased appetite, diarrhea, and obscuration of sight. Incontinence and involuntary emission of urine, even in the night and during sleep. Paralysis of the neck of the bladder. Urethral strictures. Urine turbid, of a yellow color, or clear, the color of gold or citron; or scanty and of a brownish red color, or the color of blood, or a bright red color. Red, or whitish and thick sediment in the urine. Sensation of motion in the bladder, as of a worm. Nocturnal pressure in the bladder. Shooting, burning pains in the renal region.

Gloninum

Increased secretion of pale (albuminous) urine. Nocturnal polyuria. Tubal nephritis, with headache, brought on by walking in the sun; numbness in arms and hands alternating with intense tingling.

Mercuris Corresive

Bright’s disease. Cancer. Chancre (syphilis). Tenesmus of bladder; suppressed urine. polyuria, urine passed in drops, and with great pain. Prostatitis. Urine scanty, brown, with brick-dust sediment; hematuria; albuminous containing filaments, flocks or dark flesh-like pieces of mucus, epithelial cells of tubule uriniferous in a state of fatty degeneration. Gonorrhoeic discharges, first thin, then thicker (greenish), and then smarting pain when urinating, with stitches in urethra. Micturition, more before urination. Paraphimosis.

Convalaria Majalis

Aching in bladder; feels distended. Polyuria. Offensive scanty urine. Venous stasis. Dyspnea, dropsy, aneurism (tendency). Anasarca.

Adonis Vernalis

Albuminuria. Oily pellicle on urine. Scanty.

Uva Ursi or Wild Cranberry

For centuries, uva ursi has been a popular herbal remedy for treating bladder infections like cystitis. The active compound in uva ursi is arbutin. Some studies show that uva ursi can prevent frequent UTIs like bladder and renal cystitis, when combined with dandelion leaf and root.

Cantharis

Cantharis is a well-known homoeopathic medicine for its marvelous effects on cysts, inflammations and infections of urinary tract. In cases of micturition (burning), it brings immediate relief.

Bladder cystitis. The urine passed drop by drop, excessive burning while passing urine. There is retention of urine, but the person feels the need to pass urine frequently; the reason for this is the incomplete clearance of the bladder. There is an intolerable urge to urinate that makes the person go into paroxysms. It can be used in cases of Interstitial cystitis where the root cause is chronic inflamed bladder.

Apis Mellifica

Apis Mellifica Is an excellent remedy used in homoeopathy in cases of chronic inflammation of bladder, bladder cystitis as well as interstitial cystitis. Apis helps to cure the inflamed part and reduce the swelling.

Hot urine passed drop by drop owing to the burning that corrodes the skin and makes it difficult to urinate. The urine in these cases is of a strong color and odor, incomplete urination gives rise to a constant urge to urinate. In cases of urine troubles with swelling in the genitals, retention of urine in infants.

In youngsters, it can be used in cases where kidney inflammations have caused cystitis. The kid is scared to pass urine due to the burning pain it causes.

Equisetum

Slight or dull pain in right kidney then in left – extending down left side of sacrum, with urgent desire to urinate; had urinated only a few minutes before and now passed four ounces of clear light-colored urine.

Pain in bladder as from distension, severe dull pain in bladder not by urinating; continued some days after taking the allopathic drug and caused him to fear inflammation of the bladder. Bladder cystitis.

Tenderness in region of bladder and lower abdomen, extending upward from groin; Pain and tenderness in bladder region with soreness of testicles, extending up spermatic cords.

Excessive burning in urethra while urinating, Sharp cutting pain in urethra, Pricking in urethra a short distance back from meatus, Biting itching in meatus scratching, Great desire to urinate but only a small quantity passes, Urgent desire to urinate with prickling and soreness of meatus from contact and pressure, Obliged to rise several times at night to urinate, Profuse urination, with burning in urethra and sharp pain at root of penis, Later passes smaller quantities and darker. Urine cloudy, Great excess of mucus on standing. Enuresis, nocturnal and diurnal.

Petroselinum (Parsley)

Sudden urging to urinate. Patient suddenly seized with desire to urinate; if not gratified immediately, jumps up and down with pain. Severe pain when he passes urine as to cause him to shiver and dance round room in agony. Bladder cystitis. Discharge of a milky fluid from urethra; Albuminous yellow discharge from urethra; gonorrhea.

Orifice of urethra agglutinated with mucus. Creeping and crawling throughout whole length of urethra. Frequent and almost fruitless want to urinate, every half-hour.

Tingling, lancinating, pressure and drawing, in urethra. Crawling and pressure in region of Cowper’s glands in morning in bed, > while standing and sitting. During micturition, burning and tingling from perineum through the whole urethra. Drawing, afterwards itching in fossa navicularis; burning in navicular fossa while urinating. Frequent desire to urinate, caused by crawling stitch behind navicular fossa. Frequent voluptuous tickling in navicular fossa.

Staphysagria

Itching, needle like stitches in region of kidneys. Pressure on bladder on waking from sleep. Frequent want to urinate, with emission drop by drop, or else of a slender stream of deep-colored urine, excessively painful emission of urine. Bladder cystitis. Frequent (profuse) emission of clear watery urine (with much urging).

Frequent emission of red urine. Constant micturition at night. Bloody urine. Involuntary emission of urine when coughing. After having urinated, a fresh want is felt, as if bladder were again full. Burning sensation in urethra, especially (after and) when urinating (with urging, as if the bladder were not emptied). Constant urging in young married women.

Arsenicum Album

Retention of urine, as from paralysis of the bladder. Frequent inclination to make water, even at night, with abundant emission. Incontinence of urine, which escapes almost involuntarily, even at night, in bed. Bladder cystitis. Difficult and painful emission of urine. Scanty urine, of a deep yellow color. Urine aqueous, greenish, brownish, or turbid, with mucus-like sediment. Sanguineous urine. Burning in the urethra on making water. Involuntary discharge of burning urine.

Berberis Vulgaris

Violent stitching pains in the bladder, extending from the kidneys into the urethra, with urging to urinate. Frequently recurring, crampy, contractive pain, or aching pain, in the bladder, when the bladder is full or empty – Incisive pains in the urethra, smarting pain in the urethra, with sensation of excoriation, even during the emission of semen in coition.

Motion excites and aggravates the pains in the urethra. Burning pains in the urethra while urinating, and afterwards. Stitches and burning in the urethra. Bladder cystitis. Shooting pains in the urethra, extending to the bladder. Aching pains in the region of the bladder, even when it is empty, and after making water. Contractive, drawing, acute, incisive, and cramp like pains in the bladder.

Shooting, violent pains in the loins, extending to the bladder. Sensation of burning in the bladder. Increased secretion of urine, which is as clear as water, sometimes urine pale yellowish, with slimy, gelatinous, mealy sediment, white, greyish white, or reddish.

Urine thick, yellowish, like whey, or clay colored water. Urine of a deep yellow, with abundant sediment. Urine dark yellow, red, becoming turbid, copious; mucous sediment, or transparent, jelly-like reddish, bran-like sediment (which is easily crushed and dissolved between the fingers). Greenish urine, depositing mucus. Urine reddish, as if inflamed, with abundant sediment.

Sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla is necessary for severe urethra pain at the end of urination. The urethra pain will also radiate up into the abdomen area, and it is also hard for the person to urinate unless they are standing. Urination will flow easily at night, possibly when the person experiences bedwetting. When sitting, urine will dribble. Bladder cystitis. Scanty, slimy, or bloody urine are also common features of someone requiring sarsaparilla.

Helleborus Niger

Polycystic kidney disease with high creatinine in blood with uremia and unconsciousness. Pupils dilated and insensible to light. Convulsion is present. The body have a strong urinous odor.

Serum Anguillae

The presence of albumin and renal elements in the urine, the hemoglobinuria, the prolonged anuria. Subacute nephritis. Heart diseases, in cases of failure of compensation and impending asystole. Rapid hematuria, albuminuria and oliguria. Uremia. Difficult urinary secretion. Arterial hypertension oliguria and oedema. Renal obstruction and produced an abundant diuresis.

Kali Chloricum

Albuminous, scanty, suppressed. Diuresis. Nucleo-albumin and bile, high Phosphoric acid, with low total solids. Epithelioma. Hematuria. Hemorrhages. Nephritis. Neuralgia. Edema. Paralysis (facial). Pharyngitis. Pimples. Proctalgia. Purpura. Scurvy. Stomatitis. Syphilis. Tic-douloureux. Ulcers.

Lycopodium Clavatum

Polycystic kidney disease with kidney failure. High level of creatinine. Urine scanty, cries before urinating, red sand in urine, must strain, suppressed or retained. Urine milky and turbid. Hematuria. Urine is burning and hot. Bright’s disease. The patient experiences impotency. The patient likes warm food and drink, also there is intense craving for sweets. Cystitis. Proctalgia. Prostatitis. Urine incontinence. Involuntary micturition. Oily urine.

Phosphorus

Polyuria. Frequent emission of a scanty stream of urine (only a small quantity each time). Urine with white, serous, sandy and red, or else yellow sediment. Turbid urine, with sediment. Pale, aqueous, or whitish urine. Variegated pellicle on surface of urine. Hematuria (with acute pain in region of kidneys and liver, and jaundice). Smarting and micturition. Tension and jerking or burning pain in urethra when not urinating (with frequent desire to urinate).

Terebinthina

Pressure in the kidneys. Sensation of heaviness and pain in region of kidneys. Violent burning drawing pain in kidneys. Nephritis that follows an irritation of the skin. Polyuria. Transient movement in region of bladder. Spasms from any attempt to urinate. Suppressed secretion of urine. Strangury, followed by soreness. Diminished secretion of urine. Secretion of urine considerably augmented. Urine smelling strongly of violets; deposit of mucus, or thick, muddy deposit. Thick, slimy, yellowish white sediment in urine. Hematuria. Micturition. Urethritis, with painful erections. Stricture of urethra.

Aralia Hispida

High level of creatinine in blood. There is dropsy of renal origin. Urinary tract infection. Scanty urine. Complete suppression of urine. Renal diseases with constipation.

Ampelopsis Quinquefolia

Ampelopsis quinquefolia is another effective remedy for high level of creatinine in blood. There is uraemia or uremic coma. Vomiting, purging, tenesmus, cold sweat and collapse are the leading symptoms.

Kali Bichromicum

Burning in urethra. After urinating a drop seems to remain which cannot be expelled. Ropy mucus in urine. Urethra becomes clogged up. Congestion of kidneys; nephritis, with scanty, albuminous urine and casts. Pyelitis; urine mixed with epithelial cells, mucus, pus, or blood. Haematochyluria.

Apocynom Cannabinum

Bladder distended. Turbid, hot urine, with thick mucus and burning in urethra, after urinating. Little expulsive power. Dribbling. Strangury. Renal Dropsy. Polycystic kidney disease.

Plumbum Metallicm

Frequent ineffectual urination, tenesmus. Albuminous; low specific gravity. Chronic interstitial nephritis, with great pain in abdomen. Urine scanty. Polycystic kidney disease. Tenesmus of bladder. Emission drops by drop.

Kalium Chloricum

Polycystic kidney disease. Albuminous, scanty, suppressed. Hematuria; diuresis. Nucleo-albumin and bile, high phosphoric acid, with low total solids.

Digitalis

Continued urging, in drops, dark, hot, burning, with sharp cutting or throbbing pain at neck of bladder, as if a straw was being thrust back and forth, worse at night. Suppressed. Ammoniacal, and turbid. Urethritis, phimosis, strangury. Full feeling after urination. Constriction and burning. Brick-dust sediment. Polycystic kidney disease.

Cuprum Arsenicosum

Renal inefficiency and uremia. Garlicky odor. Diabetes. Urine of high specific gravity; increased, acetones and dacitic acid.

Prevention

If your patient has polycystic kidney disease and she is considering having pregnancies, a genetic counselor can help her assess her risk of passing the disease to her offspring.

Keeping the kidneys as healthy as possible may help prevent some of the complications of this disease. One of the most important ways a person can protect her/his kidneys is by managing the blood pressure.

Here are some tips for keeping blood pressure in check:

• Never take the blood pressure allopathic medications for long time, even if they are prescribed by an allopathic doctor.
• Eat a normal-salt diet, especially sodium and potassium containing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products.
• Maintain a healthy weight; avoid white sugar, processed foods, carbonated and energy drinks, foods contain artificial flavors and/colors – in short try to be organic.
• Quit tobacco (in any form) and alcohol.
• Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.

P. S: This article is only for doctors having good knowledge about Homeopathy and allopathy, for learning purpose(s).

For proper consultation and treatment, please visit our clinic.

None of above-mentioned medicine(s) is/are the full/complete treatment, but just hints for treatment; every patient has his/her own constitutional medicine.

To order medicine by courier, please send your details at WhatsApp– +923119884588

Gastroenterologist, Specialist Homeopathic Medicines.

  Senior research officer at Dnepropetrovsk state medical academy Ukraine.

Location:  Al-Haytham clinic, Umer Farooq Chowk Risalpur Sadder (0923631023, 03119884588), K.P.K, Pakistan.

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