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Kidney Cysts – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Kidney cysts are sacs of fluid that form on the kidneys. There are two types – simple cysts and polycystic kidney disorder (PKD). Simple cysts are thin-walled single cysts filled with fluid that form on the kidneys and don’t interfere with the organ’s functioning or cause any damage. PKD on the other hand causes many cysts to form on the kidneys and can cause complications.

Kidney Cysts – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
It is an inherited kidney disorder.

Symptoms
A simple kidney cyst may not cause symptoms or discomfort but when it grows or becomes infected, it can cause –
Dark urine
Pain and swelling in the abdomen
Fever

Pain in the back
Pain between the pelvis and ribs

Frequent Urination
Blood in urine
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness

Causes
Pre-existing conditions: A kidney cyst can be the result of an underlying condition, such as a birth defect or tumors.

Congenital conditions: Kidney cysts can sometimes be the result of a congenital condition such as renal stenosis (a narrowing of the renal pelvis), pyelonephritis (a type of urinary tract infection), or ureteral stenosis (a narrowing of the ureter). Also, congenital kidney cysts (either inherited from parents or acquired during pregnancy) are the most common type of kidney cyst. They occur in about 1 out of every 700 babies. About one in twenty people have a gene that causes them to form kidney cysts, usually during early adulthood. If your parents or grandparents had kidney cysts, you’re likely to get them too.

Trauma: A fall or other kind of physical trauma to the kidneys can cause them to enlarge and form a cyst.

Water retention: When too much water accumulates in the tissues around the kidneys, it can create space inside the organs and eventually create a kidney cyst.

Uric acid: High levels of uric acid in the blood can cause the kidneys to not be able to remove this effectively and transfer it to the urine and this can cause cysts.

Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop kidney cysts because their kidneys don’t filter properly as a result of the illness.

Hormonal changes: A pregnant woman’s hormones may cause her kidneys to produce too much fluid and this can cause a cyst. Alternatively, if she is going through menopause, her hormones may cause the production of calcium crystals in the kidneys. These crystals can become kidney cysts.

There are many types of kidney cysts, but most are benign. Benign kidney cysts may vary in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, and they can occur in any stage of the renal development. The most common form of benign kidney cyst is the renal cyst, which is simply a sac filled with fluid or blood. Less common forms of benign kidney cysts include the vesicoureteral (bladder) and ureteral (kidney) cysts.

Most benign kidney cysts will disappear on their own without any treatment, but some may require surgery to remove them.

Prevention of kidney cysts

Kidney cysts are a common problem that can be prevented with a few simple steps. Here are some tips to help keep you healthy and free from cysts:

-Drink plenty of water each day. It is said that drinking eight glasses of water per day is a must.

-Stay active. Getting your blood moving helps clear the system of toxins and cells that can create cysts.

-Get regular checkups. Make sure to see your doctor regularly for screenings for kidney cysts and other health issues. Early detection is key to preventing them from becoming bigger and causing more serious problems.

What are kidney cysts?

kidney cysts are benign tumors that form inside the kidneys. They can occur anywhere in the renal tract, but are most common in the upper and lower renal segments. There are several types of kidney cysts, but the most common is the renal pelvis cyst. This type usually occurs in middle-aged or older adults and is characterized by a painless lump located just below the navel on the side of the ribcage.

Although kidney cysts may cause no symptoms, they can occasionally cause urinary tract infection, pain during urination, and fever. In most cases, they will self-disappear without treatment, but in a small number of cases, they can become serious and require surgery.

How to treat kidney cysts

If you are experiencing pain in your back or side, it is important to go see your doctor. This could be a sign of a kidney cyst. A kidney cyst is a sac that forms on one or both of your kidneys. They can often be hard to detect, but they can cause a lot of pain.

If you have a kidney cyst, the first step is to make sure it is treated. Many people opt for surgery to remove the cyst, as this is the most effective way to fix the issue. Other options include using treatment options to shrink or break up the cyst, and using radiation therapy to destroy any cancer cells that may be present.

While it may not be easy to deal with a kidney cyst, it is important to get help as soon as possible. If left untreated, a kidney cyst can cause permanent damage or even death.

Treatment of kidney cysts

If you are experiencing a kidney cyst, it is important to seek professional help. There are a few different ways to treat a kidney cyst, and each one has its own set of risks and benefits. Here are the most common treatments for kidney cysts:

– Nephrectomy: This is the most common and effective treatment for kidney cysts. A nephrectomy involves removing the entire kidney. The benefits of this treatment include a decrease in the size of the cyst and a decreased risk of complications. However, the surgery can be difficult and there may be some short-term side effects, including fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

– Transurethral resection of the ureter (TURP): TURP is a minimally invasive procedure that involves surgically cutting through the ureter near the renal pelvis. This treatment is usually less complicated than nephrectomy and has fewer side effects, but it may not be as effective at shrinking a kidney cyst.

– Robotic assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (RALN): RALN is a newer form of surgery wherein small incisions are created near the abdominal region which gives access to robotically-controlled surgical tools.

Home treatments for kidney cysts

If you’re experiencing pain in your side, back, or stomach and think you may have a kidney cyst and here’s what you should do:

1. See a doctor as soon as possible to rule out any other serious health issues.

2. If the cyst is benign (noncancerous), try using over-the-counter remedies. If the cyst is cancerous, surgery may be necessary.

3. If the cyst is small and does not seem to be causing any pain or discomfort, you can try over-the-counter treatment options. If the cyst is larger or more painful, talk to your doctor about potential treatments such as injections, surgery, radiation therapy, or a kidney transplant.

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