What is Polycystic Kidney Disease?

Polycystic Kidney Disease, also known as PKD, is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic diseases in the world affecting more people that Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and sickle cell anemia – combined.

PKD Kidney 3

Dialysis and transplantation are the only treatment options for kidney failure.  There is no cure for PKD.  Until one is found, PKD will threaten the lives of every generation of every family living with the disease.  It affects men, women and children alike.  It does not skip a generation.

 

Those who inherit PKD develop fluid-filled cysts on both kidneys.  Over time, these cysts multiply and grow, causing the kidneys to increase dramatically in size.  Although a normal kidney is roughly the size of a human fist, PKD kidneys can grow to be the size of a football or larger and weigh as much as 38 pounds each.

PKD Kidney 4

For more information, please visit: http://www.pkdcure.org/learn/resources.

Posted on by Crusade for Cures.