Kidney cysts are pouches or sacs that consists of fluids and are usually located on the surface on kidneys. Simple cysts and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) are its two forms. PKD requires immediate medical intervention under all circumstances as they can severely influence the kidney functions and even lead to kidney failure if left untreated. On the other hand, simple cysts are typically harmless, but if they grow, they might cause some bothersome symptoms that need prompt attention.

After getting appropriate kidney cyst treatments, there is a chance that the condition might occur again. Therefore self-management for this condition is equally imperative. Here are some tips that can help you avert the episodes of kidney cysts from occurring again.

• Get hydrated Having plenty of water will aid the kidneys to function properly. Based on your body weight, ensure to have sufficient amounts of hydrating fluids. This will assist in the proper elimination of toxins from the kidneys. Avoid having excessive alcohol and caffeine to avoid dehydration.
• Diet Consume a diet that is packed with fresh fruits and vegetables. The high intake of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc. can improve your kidney functions as well as strengthen your overall immunity. Similarly, ensure that you monitor the protein intake in your food regime. This is because proteins can make the kidneys to work harder. This ends up straining the recovering organ and can hamper its improvement. Have a word with your specialist to figure out the best type of nutritional intake to minimize the stress on kidneys.
• Herbal teas Sipping herbal teas now and then can help soothe your kidneys by expelling toxins. Consider chamomile, dandelion root, marshmallow, corn silk, nettle leaf teas for enhanced kidney functions. You can have two to three cups daily basis.
• Quit smoking Probably the worst form of habit, smoking can stress the kidneys but augmenting the level of toxins in the body. If the kidneys are unable to eliminate these successfully, then they will aggravate the cystic condition. So, refrain from smoking as it will only have positive effects in the long run.
• Workout Some form of physical movement can energize the body organs to function better, as it helps burn fats and reduces the pressure on the kidneys. Ensure that you exercise daily at least for at least 30 minutes. You can try activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, simple stretching, jogging, etc. However, if you are recovering from recent kidney cyst treatments then seek permission and advice from your doctor for the best forms of physical practices.

Kidney cysts are fluid-filled sacs situated inside your kidneys. A patient can have one or multiple of these pouches in both the kidneys. Typically these can occur in two forms, i.e., simple cysts and polycystic kidney disease. The former is harmless and doesn’t negatively influence the function of the kidneys. You might not even realize their presence as they don’t project any symptoms. In fact, they are often identified during an imaging test implemented for another medical problem.

On the other hand, polycystic kidney disorder is an inherited disease that can cause significant damage to the kidney as the cysts develop. Therefore it is essential to receive proper kidney cyst treatments.

Signs of kidney cysts
As mentioned earlier for a simple kidney cyst there might not be any obvious symptoms until the sac grows big or gets infected. Then it may exhibit the following signs

• Frequent urination
• Blood in the urine
• Dark urine
• Inflammation and discomfort the upper abdomen
• Pain the back or between the pelvic area and ribs
• Fever

Similarly, polycystic kidney disease may cause additional symptoms like

• Urinary tract infection
• Kidney stones
• Severe pain in the back
• Pale skin and increased vulnerability to bruising
• Tiredness
• Discomfort in the joints
• High blood pressure
• Abnormalities in the nails

Kidney cyst treatments
A specialist known as a urologist can help you diagnose this condition with the help of blood and urine tests to determine your kidney’s functional capabilities. Along with these, the doctor might also recommend CT scans, MRI or ultrasound to observe the growth of the cysts. If the results project tiny sacs, then you may not need any form of major kidney cysts treatments. However, you will need to keep an eye on the condition by getting a diagnosis on an annual basis.

For cysts that are bigger, you will need to opt for kidney cyst treatments such as sclerotherapy or surgery.

• Sclerotherapy This treatment drains the fluid-filled sacs. The doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb you and then use an ultrasound to direct a thin needle in your cyst through the skin. At times the doctors will fill the cyst with an alcoholic solution to stop it from developing again.
• Surgery If the cyst happens to be bigger in size then you may need surgery to remove it. This type of cyst is eliminated using a camera and tiny surgical instruments. The specialist will begin by draining the cysts, and then they’ll cut or burn its walls.

Kidneys act as filters for the body as they help in removing chemicals and excess fluid from the body by making urine. Most of the chemicals get converted into urine and are flushed out of the body, unnoticed. However there are some chemicals that accumulate in the system and form tiny crystals. These tiny crystals clump together and form kidney stone.

There are many procedures that can be used to treat and remove kidney stones. If the stones are too small, the primary goal is to administer medications and dissolve them in the urine.

Endoscopy procedure to treat kidney stones is performed in the following way:

• The endoscopy procedure for treating kidney stones is called ureteroscopy. This procedure is performed under general or spinal anesthesia, which generally takes about 1 hour. The surgeon uses an x-ray that will guide a tiny telescope (called as cystoscope) in the urethra. Urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder.
• This cystoscope helps the surgeons in conforming if there are any problems with the bladder by viewing it with the help of the apparatus.
• A thin guiding wire is then passed through the cystoscope. After removing the cystoscope, the guiding wire will be pass a ureteroscope which is one of the actual apparatus of endoscopy procedure, that is passed directly to the kidney stones.
• The ureteroscope will remove the stone in some cases, while in other cases, the surgeon might use a tiny laser that will break the stone, which will dissolve in the urine and will be flushed out eventually.
• After performing this procedure, the surgeon will place a catheter in the bladder (temporarily) that will help the patient to pass the urine immediately following the treatment.

Post kidney stone treatment

• After the endoscopy procedure, the patient will be transferred to the recovery area and kept under observation for at least a day, or until the patient can pass the urine on its own.
• The patient might not be able to drive post the procedure, so it is advisable to arrange for transportation post the endoscopy procedure. The doctor will prescribe the patient with pain relief medications.
• While the patient may still feel a stinging sensation for the first few times on passing the urine, it is advised to drink plenty of fluids that will further help the patient to pass the kidney stones through urine.
• It generally takes 2 to 3 days to return to normal activities post the endoscopy procedure. It is important to look out for any further complications like damage to urethra, narrowing of the urethra or blockage of the same; due to kidney stone treatment.

The function of the kidneys is to remove waste material from the body, filter keeps the blood pressure under control, maintain a balance of sodium and potassium in the blood, maintain the pH balance of the body, and are responsible for the secretion of hormones that create red blood cells in the body. When one or both kidneys fail, kidney dialysis replaces some of these functions.

Kidney failure occurs in progressive stages through which one or both kidneys start losing the crucial functions. The stages of kidney failure are categorized from stage 1 to stage 5. The first to third stages of kidney failure are labeled under mild kidney disease. Stage 5 is the worst stage of chronic kidney disease. Stage 5 is when kidney transplant or dialysis is required. Here are five important things to know about kidney dialysis:

• Kidney dialysis is required when a person loses 85 to 90% of their kidney function. This usually classifies as Stage 5 of chronic kidney disease. If a person has GFR value of less than 15, kidney dialysis will be required. GFR is glomerular filtration rate. It is measured using blood creatinine test, the person’s age, body size, and gender. The value of GFR indicates the kidney function level and the stage of the kidney disease.
• There are two types of kidney dialysis: peritoneal and hemodialysis. Hemodialysis, which is the most common, is done using an artificial kidney (a machine) that removes the waste and fluids from the blood. In this surgery is done to gain access to join an artery to a vein to make a fistula. Through a catheter, blood from the body flows into the dialysis machine; it is filtrated and then flows back into the body.
• Peritoneal kidney dialysis involves filling the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen with dialysate using a catheter. The waste and extra fluids in the peritoneal cavity are drawn out into the dialysate from the blood. The dialysate is drained back in a bag and thrown away.
• Hemodialysis is done for three to four hours, three times every week. Peritoneal dialysis requires the dialysate to stay in the peritoneal cavity for four to five hours. Both types of kidney dialysis can be done at a dialysis center as well as at home.
• One of the risk factors of being on dialysis is the development of acquired kidney cyst. Kidney cyst symptoms include fever, back pain, blood in urine, and development of cancerous tumors in the kidney. Experts suggest that kidney cyst develops more as a side effect of kidney failure or chronic kidney disease rather than as a side effect of kidney dialysis.

Chronic kidney disorder or kidney disease progresses through stages. The stages of kidney failure start from Stage 1, which is a mild form of kidney problem, and then proceeds to Stage 5. Kidney dialysis is required after the fourth stage of kidney failure. In some cases, the progress of kidney failure may not be rapid. So, the affected person goes without kidney dialysis for years. However, in case of rapid deterioration of kidney function, kidney dialysis or transplant or both might be required.

Kidney dialysis replaces the kidney’s functions and helps a person with kidney failure to live a relatively healthier life. Since dialysis becomes a crucial part, it is necessary to stay informed about the various aspects of this treatment in order to make informed decisions before dialysis and even while undergoing dialysis. Here are a few useful things to know:

• Kidney dialysis treatment options: Have a careful and detailed discussion with your doctor regarding the treatment plan. Decide on the type of dialysis you want and whether you like to opt to undergo dialysis in a hospital, in a dialysis center or within the comforts of your home. Take into consideration your medical condition and financial abilities.
• Comparing facilities of different dialysis centers: If you decide to undergo dialysis at a dialysis center, you have the choice of opting for a center that provides facilities you are comfortable with and those that you can afford. The Medicare website has detailed information on around 5600 dialysis centers located across the country. You can make an informed decision by comparing multiple centers’ geographical location, the facilities provided by each clinic, quality measures, availability of evening shifts, the number of dialysis stations and so on.
• Traveling and working during dialysis: Dialysis treatments are standardized everywhere. With dialysis centers available across the country as well as abroad, a person on dialysis can travel freely. However, it will require meticulous planning regarding looking for quality dialysis centers and booking appointments. Also, once a person gets used their dialysis routine, they can go back to work or school by working around their dialysis schedule.
• Insurance while on dialysis: People who have end stage renal failure are eligible for health insurance under Medicare. Discuss with your healthcare provider to know if any insurance is available in your case.
• Known risks of kidney dialysis: Although kidney dialysis might be necessary, it is important to be aware of the various risks and side effects associated with this treatment to be completely prepared for the future. Dialysis may cause kidney cyst symptoms, anemia, low blood pressure, sleep disorder, muscle cramps, high blood sugar, itching and so on.

Unlike lower back pain, kidney pain is usually experienced as a pain around the kidney located in the upper abdomen. It can be due to several reasons. In some case, the pain may extend to flaks or the area around the groin.

Primary causes of kidney pain:

• Kidney infection
• Hydronephrosis i.e., swelling in the kidney due to accumulation of urine caused by a blockage
• Kidney stones
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Bleeding in your kidney
• Bleeding in kidney veins
• Kidney cysts
• Kidney tumor or kidney cancer

The treatment of kidney pain would depend o your diagnosis. Your doctor will review your history, undertake a physical examination, and may perform certain tests including blood and urine tests to determine the cause of your kidney pain. In some instances,a CT scan or MRI of the abdomen and pelvis may be asked for.

Early diagnosis becomes necessary to prevent complications. A different approach to treatment is followed for each of the causes mentioned above. Here, we discuss the treatment options for some of the more common causes of kidney pain.

Treatment of kidney infections:
The first treatment for kidney infections is antibiotics. You may be prescribed oral antibiotics for a few days. The doctor will review your condition after a specified time before deciding on future course of action. If the infection is mild, the symptoms subside over a few days. For more severe infections, you may be administered antibiotics through an IV.

If your kidney infections keep coming back, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. In most cases, surgery is the last resort for treating cases that cannot be controlled by medication.

Treatment of hydronephrosis:
The aim of the treatment is to remove the obstruction that may be causing the back flow of urine and the consequent swelling in the kidney. The treatment would depend on the cause of the obstruction.

• Blockages in the ureter: To remove such blockages, the doctor may need to insert a ureteral stent to drain the bladder.
• Blockage due to scar tissues or blood clots: A surgery may be required to remove the clot and the damaged tissue completely.

Treatment for kidney stones:
The course of treatment depends on the type of stone and the cause underlying its formation. Small kidney stones, usually, do not require invasive treatment. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Use pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium.
• Take certain medication like alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles in the ureter to facilitate the movement of stones outside the body.

Stones that are too large to pass on their own may require treatment that is more extensive. Large stones can cause permanent damage to the kidney tissue and are the underlying cause behind reoccurring urinary tract infections. The possible lines of treatment include:

• Using sound waves to break up stones
• Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney
• Using a scope to remove stones

Kidneys are located just above the pelvic arch on either side of your lower back. Lower back pain occurs usually near the area around the kidneys. However, in some instances, it may spread to the region in front of the groin and the hip.

This is the reason why kidney pain and back pain are often confused with each other. However, kidney pain has several distinct characteristics that differentiate it from back pain. Kidney pain is usually is accompanied by symptoms including the following:

– Lower back pain on one or both sides, usually above the pelvic arch, although it may radiate to the groin.
– Nausea, vomiting, or a general feeling of uneasiness.
– Fever and high temperature.
– Frequent urination, where the urine may appear cloudy. In some cases, there may be blood in the urine.
Usually, there is no external swelling or inflammation except in the case of a large kidney tumor. The area is not tender to touch, except sometimes near the kidney.
Back pain, on the other hand, is experienced as a dull, aching pain.
– The pain is localized and may occur suddenly.
– Changing your position or moving around may improve or worsen the pain.
– It is generally not accompanied by fever or a generalized illness.
– It is indicated by an inflammation of strained muscles, which are tender to touch.

Severe lower back pain problems such as cauda equina can affect your bladder and bowels.

Causes of kidney pain:
– The most common cause of kidney pain is an infection in the kidney, which causes an inflammation of the lining around the kidneys.
– Kidney stones are another major cause of kidney pain. The stones cannot pass through the narrow passage of the ureter and get lodged at its mouth, thereby blocking the flow of urine.
– Dull aching pain in the kidney can also be caused due to polycystic kidney disease or gradual blockage in the flow of urine.

Causes of back pain:
– Back pain can be caused due to inflammation or injury.
– It can be triggered by severe stress.
– In some instances, back pain may be indicative of a serious medical condition including bone fracture, spinal fracture, multiple myeloma, and osteoporosis.
– A majority of women experience lower back pain during their pregnancy.

Call to action:
Usually, mild back pain does not require immediate medical attention. However, if you have a persistent pain, it is always advisable to consult your doctor.
Whether it is lower back pain, kidney pain, or pain near the groin, it should not be ignored under any circumstances, if it persists for over a week. If you are confused about the symptoms or nature of your pain and suspect that it may be kidney back pain, you should get in touch with a doctor immediately. It may be possible to resolve an infection, if you seek timely medication. In addition, if kidney stones are detected at an early stage, they can easily be removed from the body without any invasive treatment.

Even though there are no visible symptoms of the first two stages of kidney disease, symptoms may start affecting people with the advent of the third stage. Some people do not develop symptoms even in the third stage, and this is extremely dangerous because your kidney can be damaged without you realizing it.

Symptoms you should be aware of
When your kidney disease has reached the third stage, you may experience vomiting tendency and nausea, have frequent urge to urinate and have foamy urine. It is natural to have a swelling in the ankles along with puffiness around the eyes due to fluid retention. Most people affected with stage 3 kidney disease symptoms report that they feel fatigued easily and have a shortness of breath all the time. It is also common to have an aversion to eating and finding food tasteless. Other symptoms include dry, flaky and itchy skin, muscle cramps, particularly in the legs, poor sleep, and weight loss without any apparent reason.

Among children, there is also a retardation of growth with the third stage of kidney disease.

Understanding what’s causing the symptoms
There are various reasons behind these symptoms and understanding them can help in managing and treating them. Some of these include-

• Feeling cold even when others are feeling warm: This is not a direct effect of kidney failure, but is mostly caused due to a low hemoglobin count, which is associated with kidney issues.
• Shortness of breath without much physical activity: Running short of breath can be associated with kidney disease in two ways. The extra fluid in the body can start accumulating in the lungs, which can cause a shortage of oxygen. On the other hand, anemia can leave the body starving for oxygen, and you may experience shortness of breath.
• Feeling dizziness and weak: When kidney failure is associated with anemia, it means that the brain is not receiving enough oxygen. This can make the affected person feel weak and dizzy along with memory loss, trouble with concentration, amnesia, and other problems.
• Itchiness: Kidneys are in charge of removing waste materials from the body. In the third stage of kidney disease, when the kidneys are not able to function properly, it leads to build up of these wastes in the blood and cause severe itching and other skin issues.
• Swelling in the ankles, hand, and feet: When the kidneys are in a debilitating state, they are not able to eliminate the extra fluid. It gets accumulated in the legs, ankles, feet, and even face. Some people report that they cannot put on their shoes as their feet have swelled to a great extent.

In addition to all these symptoms, severe accumulation of waste materials in the body leads to a condition called uremia, which may upset the stomach and cause loss of appetite. If you are experiencing any of the stage 3 kidney disease symptoms, it is important to consult with an expert and follow the treatment process as early as possible.