Kidney Cysts: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Are you experiencing sharp kidney pain? Or noticing blood in your urine? Are you facing difficulty in passing urine or having a frequent urge to pee?

If yes, your kidneys may not be in a healthy state. You may have kidney cysts. Wondering what these are?

Kidney cysts are fluid filled pouches that develop in the kidneys. These can be of different sizes. Cysts can be simple or complex depending on the size.

Kidney cyst is a common issue and it is dangerous to your kidney health.

It is important that you should be aware of its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Mykare Health is here to help you understand all the aspects related to kidney cysts.

Kidney Cysts: What Are They?

Kidney cysts are round sacs filled with fluid that develop on or within the kidneys. Usually, kidney cysts occur when there is any disorder with the kidneys. Simple cysts and complex cysts are the two types of kidney cysts.

Simple cysts are typically round shaped or oval shaped. It has clear fluid and thin walls. Simple cysts are well defined. It generally does not possess an increased risk of complications. These simple cysts can develop with age.

Complex cysts are irregular in shape or have solid components. Unlike simple cysts, complex cysts have thick walls. It is also less well defined.

Complex cysts are most likely to cause further health complications. Some complex cysts can even be a sign of kidney cancer or other complex issues. Complex cysts need to be carefully monitored to understand its nature.

Simple cysts can be reduced with simple treatment. It usually does not need any further follow up. However, complex cysts need more attention. It requires timely identification and treatment.

Please note that kidney cysts mostly occur in older people. There are many factors that can lead to kidney cysts. It is important to have an idea about those. It can help in early detection and effective treatment of kidney cysts.

What Are The Causes?

Want to know about a few possible causes of kidney cysts? Where you go.

• Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD): It is a genetic cause of cysts in kidneys. In this condition, the cysts can be inherited. A parent with kidney cyst has a 50% chance of passing it onto the child.

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): It is also a hereditary condition. It may run in families. Cysts grow in the kidneys and they get bigger with time. It may result in dysfunctioning of your kidneys.

• Chronic kidney disease: Kidney cysts can develop if someone is suffering from kidney related issues for a long time. Damage or dysfunction of kidneys can lead to kidney cysts as well.

• Age: Some older individuals develop kidney cysts as they age. It is usually simple cysts. They don’t usually affect you much.

What Are The Symptoms?

You must be aware of the symptoms of kidney cysts to be able to identify them promptly.

• Pain: You may feel pain or discomfort in their lower back or sides. The pain can be constant or irregular. It might be a sign of developing kidney cysts.

• Blood in urine: In some cases, you may notice blood while urinating. It could be a result of kidney cysts affecting the blood vessels.

• Infections: Infections such as fever and chills can be a symptom of kidney cysts. Fever may sometimes accompany pain, indicating cyst infection.

• High blood pressure: High blood pressure can be seen in individuals with kidney cysts. It is due to the complications from existing kidney cysts.

• Blocked urine flow or frequent urination: You may find it difficult to pass urine and might be painful. Some may feel a constant urge to pass urine. Both these conditions indicate kidney cysts.

Treatment Options For Kidney Cysts

Most of the simple cysts do not require immediate treatment. They usually reduce on their own. They might even be asymptomatic. You can approach a healthcare professional to monitor it regularly.

However, if a simple cyst is showing serious symptoms, treatment will be required. Complex cysts also need proper treatment. Some of the treatment options include:

• Medications: Kidney cysts can cause severe pain. Doctors may suggest medications for managing the pain.

• Surgery: Surgery is another common option for removing kidney cysts. It is usually done for large cyst removal. It is mostly conducted to remove complex cysts that may be cancerous.

Laparoscopic surgery is the common procedure performed for complex cysts removal. In this procedure, small incisions are made to remove the cysts.

• Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy includes emptying the fluid in the cyst and injecting an alcoholic substance to reduce the cyst. Sclerotherapy is an effective method. This procedure is mainly used for recurring kidney cysts.

• Aspiration: It is another procedure to remove kidney cyst. It is similar to sclerotherapy. The fluid from the cyst is drained by using a needle in this process. Aspiration is done with the help of ultrasound or CT guidance.

How To Prevent Kidney Cysts?

Kidney health is important. Since prevention is better than cure, you need to be aware of the preventive tips that could help you from developing kidney cysts.

Here are some of the prevention methods:

• Drinking adequate amount of water
• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Making healthy changes in lifestyle
• Engaging in regular exercise
• Managing blood pressure
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine
• Avoiding smoking
• Managing diabetes
• Treating hypertension
• Monitoring and treating chronic kidney disease

Make sure to conduct regular health check ups. It will help in early diagnosis. You can prevent complications as well.

By adopting a healthy lifestyle and following these tips, you can reduce the risk of developing kidney cysts. It can also contribute to your overall well being.