Kidney cyst: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What are kidney cysts?

Kidney cyst is a kidney disease caused by a fluid-filled sac (cyst) in the kidney tissue. This condition can affect one or both of your kidneys.

Kidney cysts are generally round in shape with thin, clear walls. These cysts also vary in size up to 5 cm in diameter. This disease is generally harmless to health and does not show any symptoms.

This is because most cases show that the cyst will shrink and disappear on its own. This condition can be referred to as a simple kidney cyst.

However, it is possible that this fluid-filled sac can interfere with kidney function. In fact, cysts can develop into tumors that are cancerous.

How common is this condition?

Kidney cysts are a fairly rare condition. It is estimated that this condition affects about 5% of the general population.

In addition, this disease is common in men and affects about 65-70% of kidney mass. Older people are also more prone to developing this condition in their kidneys, which is potentially up to 25-33 percent.

This condition can be overcome by recognizing and controlling the existing risk factors.

Type

What are the types of kidney cysts?

There are four main types of kidney cysts which are outlined below.

1. Simple kidney cyst

A simple kidney cyst is a less dangerous type of cyst. This type of cyst does not change the shape of the kidneys, change their normal structure, or reduce kidney function.

This condition is more common with age. It is estimated that people aged 40-50 years have a percentage of about 25-50% of having these cysts.

2. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

In contrast to simple kidney cysts, polycystic kidney is a condition that comes from a history of the disease in the family. The cause of this condition is thought to stem from a genetic mutation that causes tissue sacs (cysts) to grow in the kidneys.

Generally, this disease will attack both parts of the kidneys. The cysts in PKD are quite dangerous and can appear in large numbers. In fact, polycystic kidneys are one of the most common causes of kidney failure.

3. Medullary renal cyst disease

This disease is also passed down through family members with the same disease. Cysts develop on the inside (medulla) of the kidneys. This condition is usually one of the causes of kidney failure in people aged 20-50 years.

4. Medullary sponge kidney

This type of disease is caused by the development of fluid sacs in the urinary tract (tubules) of the kidneys. The condition is usually present at birth (congenital), so it is possible that the cyst can be passed down from family members.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a kidney cyst?

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, most people with kidney cysts show no symptoms at all. If the cyst grows large enough, it may be a problem. Here are some signs and symptoms that often appear when a cyst starts to enlarge.

• A bulge on your stomach caused by a cyst.
• Discomfort or pain in the stomach.
• Blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Urinating frequently.
• High blood pressure (not yet known).

In some cases, the symptoms of this condition are quite mild, so they may be mistaken for other diseases. As a result, you may live with the disease throughout your life without knowing you have a kidney cyst.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have any questions, please consult your doctor.

Each person's body shows a variety of signs and symptoms. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, check whatever symptoms you feel to the doctor or the nearest health service center.

Cause

What causes kidney cysts?

The cause of kidney cysts, especially the simple form, is not known with certainty at this time. However, some experts believe there are several factors that trigger the development of cysts in this organ that functions to filter impurities from the blood, namely:

• Obstruction of tubular structures (small structures in the kidneys that collect urine).
• Lack of blood supply to the kidneys.
• Removal of the diverticula (the sac that forms in the tubule).
• Weakening of the lining of the kidney wall which causes sacs to form.

The four factors above are also often experienced by elderly people. Therefore, the elderly group is more at risk of this one kidney function disorder.

Risk factors

What increases your risk of developing kidney cysts?

Kidney cysts are disorders of the kidneys that can occur in anyone, regardless of age or racial group of the sufferer. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of suffering from this condition.

Keep in mind that having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely suffer from a disease or health problem. It is possible for a person to develop certain diseases or health problems without having risk factors.

Here are two risk factors that can trigger the appearance of cysts in this bean-shaped organ.

1. Age

The incidence of this disease is mostly found in elderly patients. Your risk for suffering from this condition will increase as you get older.

2. Gender

In addition, this disease occurs more frequently in male patients than in female patients.

Complications

What are the health complications caused by kidney cysts?

If kidney cysts show no signs or symptoms, you may not need special medical attention. This is because there is a chance that the cyst will disappear on its own over time.

Meanwhile, when a cyst develops and shows symptoms that are quite disturbing, it can cause several complications, such as:

1. Cyst infection

If the cyst is not treated properly, it can cause infection. This can cause sufferers to experience pain, fever, and other symptoms of kidney disease.

2. Cyst burst

If the cyst is too large, there is a chance that the fluid-filled sac may burst. A ruptured cyst has the risk of bleeding and causing the sufferer to experience severe pain in the back or on one side of the body.

3. Hydronephrosis

Enlarged cysts also have the potential to cause hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis is a condition when the kidneys become swollen which can obstruct the flow of urine. If this happens, you are also at risk for other kidney diseases.

Diagnosis & treatment

How is this condition diagnosed?

In general, kidney cysts can be detected when you undergo screening or imaging tests for other health conditions. However, when you feel the signs and symptoms of this disease, you may first undergo a physical examination with your doctor.

Initially, the doctor will ask about the appearance of symptoms, history of illnesses that have been suffered, both themselves and other family members.

If the doctor believes there is a cyst in the kidney, they will order some additional kidney function tests. This aims to get a more accurate diagnosis. Here are some ways to diagnose kidney cysts.

1. Computerized tomography scan (CT scan)

A CT scan combines multiple images of X-rays taken from various angles. The result of a CT scan is a three-dimensional image that can show any part of the body in more detail.

With a CT scan, the doctor can determine the size, shape, and nature of the cyst.

2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

The MRI technique uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce in-depth images of the inside of your body, even down to the finest tissues.

MRI can help doctors see the condition of the kidneys as well as the cysts in them. This test can also show the size and type of cyst.

3. Ultrasonography (USG)

An ultrasound test uses sound waves which can produce moving or static images of the organs in your body. Your kidneys can also be seen with this imaging procedure.

4. Blood test

Your doctor may also order blood tests to check for possible kidney failure or other changes in kidney function.

5. Urine test

In addition to blood tests, the doctor will also take a small sample of your urine to be examined in the laboratory.

How to treat simple kidney cysts?

Treatment and medical treatment that will be given depends on how severe your condition is.

In the case of simple kidney cysts, you may not need treatment. Routine checks may be done every 6-12 months to make sure the cyst doesn't get bigger.

However, a cyst that develops and shows disturbing symptoms may require special medical attention.

At first, you will see a urologist, a doctor who specializes in urinary tract diseases. Then, they may recommend several treatments for this one kidney cyst, namely sclerotherapy and surgery.

1. Sclerotherapy

If your cyst case is mild, your doctor will recommend a sclerotherapy procedure.

Sclerotherapy is a process to drain the fluid inside the cyst out. This procedure involves a solution containing alcohol and being inserted into the cyst to prevent future cysts from forming.

In a more complicated situation, such as a recurring cyst or a large lump of fluid, you may need to undergo the same procedure again. This aims to drain the liquid and remove or burn the outer walls.

2. Operation

For larger cysts, you may need surgery to remove the fluid-filled sac. This way, you can avoid further complications, such as a ruptured cyst or a swollen kidney.

Before the operation begins, you will be given an anesthetic first. Furthermore, the surgical team will perform the operation with a laparoscopic procedure, which is a small device equipped with a camera.

Then, they will also drain fluid from the cyst which will be cut or burned on the outer wall. If the surgery is over, you will be hospitalized for 1-2 days.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help manage kidney cysts?

Kidney cysts cannot be prevented because until now experts have not found the exact cause. However, there are a number of things you need to pay attention to when experiencing this condition, especially during the recovery process.

• Routine check-ups per year (medical check up) so that kidney cysts can be detected more quickly.
• Exercise regularly to maintain kidney health in general.
• Eat foods with balanced nutrition, such as on a diet low in fat and salt.
• Manage stress well with yoga or meditation so it doesn't trigger other signs and symptoms.

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.