Etiology of the lesion
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a hereditary infection. As such, a condition that is transmitted from parents to their offspring through the genetic materials mainly in the form of autosomal dominant attributes. The condition is normally diagnosed in two forms. The first type is dominant form called the autosomal PKD. The other type of the disease is the autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease that is common in babies as well as children (Bonsib 255).
The former affects about 90% of the people with polycystic kidney disease. The remaining percentage has the autosomal recessive polycystic kidney condition that mostly involves children and toddlers. Adult polycystic kidney disease takes place when a parent transmits the trait to the child. Due to the presence of an overriding DNA, it is probable that the child will exhibits a 0.5 likelihood of getting the disease if the parent exhibits the traits of the condition.
Conversely, in some situations, autosomal dominant PDK fails to be transmitted from parents and thus transpires unexpectedly due to new genetic alterations. Further, the autosomal dominant PKD has the effect of causing trouble in the cell membranes of the kidney cells (Bonsib 255).
On the other hand, the autosomal recessive PKD occurs when a parent is a silent carrier of the disease. In fact, the parents bear the DNA though they are not influenced by the condition. In essence, there is a likelihood that a quarter of the children born by the parents exhibiting the traits of PKD will develop the condition.
Macroscopic and microscopic findings
The most common means to detect PKD is through ultra sounds. The process allows the doctors to detect and observe the formation and development of cysts within the tissues of the kidneys. What the doctors can easily estimate through ultra sound is the amount of cysts and their accumulation (Bonsib 255).
In blood and urine tests, the accumulation and lack of infiltration of large molecules are signs of the development of the PKD. Microscopically, the findings indicate that cysts form alongside the extra responsive growing glomeruli within the precinct of nephrogen. Within the nephrogenic region, the cysts are found to have a tendency of developing around the cortices (Bonsib 255). Therefore, micro-cysts forming around the cortices are the major microscopic characteristic of PKD.
Macroscopic and microscopic findings indicate no further complementary cystic complications in closely related organs. Nevertheless, in case the cysts are formed around the urinary outlet, the effect may be the formation of oligohydraminious with pulmonary hyperplasia.
Symptoms and signs
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a hereditary disease that is characterized by the development of swellings and spots on the kidney. The condition exhibits symptoms that may cause difficulties in the smooth functioning of the kidneys. PDK is characterized by a condition referred to as hematuria. The condition is exemplified by the presence of little blood in the urine of a person with PKD when using a microscope.
In addition, the condition is also shown by the existence of large amounts of blood that can easily be observed (Bonsib 257). People with PKD also experience pains around the areas of the groins and the abdomen. Another symptom associated with PKD is a condition known as nocturia. In other words, this is a disorder described by constant night urinations. Pains in the belly and the back are also a sign of PKD. The existence of polycystic kidney disease may also exhibit a condition known as hypersomnia that is characterized by feeling drowsy at inappropriate times during the day.
Moreover, the carriers are likely to experience blowing as well as whooshing and hoarse sounds during heartbeats. The reverberations are a consequence of unstable stream of blood in the heart regulators.
The patients suffering from PKD also experience a high blood pressure that is shown by the persistent elevation of pressure of blood against the walls of the heart (Wilson 153). Deformity in nails is also a symptom of PKD. Just like other body organs, nails convey vital information about a person’s health. A person who has PKD shows deformities in nails concerning their thickness, shape or color.
Further, the patients also experience pains in the joints. The continuous increase in the size of the liver above its usual dimension is common to patients with PKD condition. The condition of PKD also shows the presence of perverted and puffy veins at the proximity of the skin. In addition, the patients also suffer from a condition characterized by the inflammation and swelling of the veins in the anus as well as lower rectum.
Treatment and prognosis
PKD is hereditary and therefore have no cure. However, proper management and therapy of the symptoms and other diseases that may worsen the condition is important for people suffering from the disease (Wilson 153). In addition, it is important to treat complications including the kidney failure to prevent worsening the situation. In essence, the aim of therapy is to relieve or alleviate the conditions that may lead to further infections. For the conditions that have no therapy, proper management is necessary in order to avoid further growth and development.
The most common treatment is the relieving of pain from the cysts and their surroundings. In most cases, the fluids are drained from the cysts in order to depressurize the cysts using a catheter. However, the kidney transplant or surgery is indispensable in critical conditions (Bonsib 255). Besides pain relief, hypertension treatment is also important.
The management of high blood pressure is significant in the avoidance of further reparations in the inner linings of the kidney. Like in the usual circumstances, the treatment of hypertension may require medications and a change in the lifestyle (Bonsib 259). Further, medications like the use of antibiotics are critical in the management and prevention of further damages that may result from the urinary tract infections. In the circumstances that the PKD is caused by the kidney failure and all other treatments have failed, dialysis may be considered and the kidney transplant may be the last resort (Wilson 153).
Relevance to dental practice
Oral health cannot be separated from the general well being of the individuals. There are connections between the oral and other systematic diseases such as the PKD. Therefore, understanding the systematic diseases helps in the conceptualization of the dental care (Patton 520). In particular, understanding the treatment, signs and symptoms as well as other processes involved in PKD are critical in the understanding of how some dental diseases could be treated.
The processes in the treatment of PKD such as surgery are also used in the treatment of some dental diseases. Therefore, understanding the processes involved in the treatment of PKD is helpful in the dental care.
Works Cited
Bonsib, Stephen. “Renal Cystic Diseases and Renal Neoplasms: A Mini-Review.” Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 4.12 (2009): 254-268. Print.
Patton, Lauren. “The Complexity of the Periodontal Disease – Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Relationship and Opportunities for Inter-professional Collaboration.” Journal of Medical Research, 16.2 (2012): 519-556. Print.
Wilson, Patricia. “Polycystic kidney disease.” New England Journal of Medicine, 350.24 (2004):151-164. Print.