We can’t always reduce the number or intensity of stressors in our lives, but there are steps we can take to manage our responses to them. For people living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), the National Kidney Foundation explains that learning these steps is critically important.*

Benefits of the Stress Response

The “fight or flight” response is one of the body’s natural defenses to protect itself from external dangers. In survival mode, the hormone adrenaline surges through the body, increasing heart rate, raising blood pressure, and boosting blood sugar for energy.

This surge enhances your chances of either eliminating the danger or escaping it. Once the danger has passed, the surge stops; your adrenaline drops; and your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar recede to usual levels.

When Danger Doesn’t Pass

Adrenaline doesn’t only respond to perceived imminent physical danger, however. It also responds to emotional and psychological stressors, and these kinds of stressors are chronic. 

Unfortunately, when your body is not allowed to rest from the onslaught of stress hormones, it gets overwhelmed and begins to sicken.

Experts have been aware for some time that chronic stress can cause such symptoms as:

• anxiety and depression
• headaches and stomachaches
• heart disease
• sleep problems
• weight gain or loss
• brain shrinkage and memory decline

According to the National Kidney Foundation, we now also know that ongoing adrenaline surges can result in the growth of cysts in the kidneys. These growths put additional stress on the kidneys, which creates further stress on all the body’s systems.

Reduce Stress-Related Symptoms

If you don’t already have your own safe and effective relaxation techniques, the NKF makes these suggestions to get you started:

• Schedule time specifically for relaxation
• Start a deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, meditation, and/or devotional practice
• Avoid over-stimulation and information overload from TV and social media, or from loud, fast music
• Consciously create a relaxing sleep routine to ensure adequate rest
• Write your stressors on a piece of paper and address them in logical, methodical ways
• Schedule therapeutic bodywork such as massage, reflexology, or another modality
• Limit your intake of stimulants such as caffeine and sugar
• Look for reasons to laugh; laughter is relaxing and healing
• Jot down ideas, phrases, and pictures that make you happy and lift your spirits
• Listen to soft music that helps your heartbeat and breath to grow slow and even

When you take steps to manage your stress, you enable your body’s own healing abilities to work more efficiently. 

For more information on adrenaline and cysts, visit the National Kidney Foundation.

 *National Kidney Foundation. (2019). Reducing Stress to Reduce PKD Symptoms [Blog post].