A family history of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a high risk factor for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Just as with other high risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, many people want to know if they can prevent CKD by preventing PKD.

What Causes PKD?

The National Kidney Foundation explains that polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a disorder that causes non-cancerous, fluid-filled sacs to grow inside the kidneys, is inherited from one or both parents.* Despite the non-cancerous nature of the fluid sacs, they are not benign. The sacs can grow quite large which, over time, can cause the kidneys to become enlarged and their function to decline. It’s possible for the mutation to occur spontaneously, without affected parents, but that is rare. 

Is PKD Preventable?

Because PKD is genetic, there is currently no way to prevent it. Nor is there a way to predict who will develop the disease from those who have the gene. 

There is hope, however, because there is an aspect of the disease that you can control.

What You Can Control

Though you can’t prevent the development of the disease, you can prevent some of the symptoms and avoid their complications. Some of those ways include:

• preventing or controlling diabetes by avoiding sugar and saturated fats, and eating whole foods
• preventing or controlling high blood pressure by exercising, avoiding salt, and taking prescribed medications
• quitting smoking
• getting screened for brain aneurysms
• practicing positive thinking

You can live a long, active, more comfortable life with PKD by working closely with your health care provider, and engaging in early precautions and interventions.

For more information, visit the National Kidney Foundation.

*National Kidney Foundation. (2019). Is PKD Preventable? [Blog post].