Cysts in kidney are more common as people age. The cyst is usually characterized by round pouch of thin-walled, smooth tissue filled with fluid. Fortunately in most cases, this fluid-filled sac is simple kidney cyst which is usually harmless and not cancerous growth. But sometime it may also pose to some health risks (when to be concerned)!
They could be associated with some disorders that eventually impair the function of the kidneys. But again more commonly, they are a type called simple kidney cysts that rarely cause serious complications. And this type is what we’re talking about in this section.
Causes
It’s not fully known yet what causes these cysts. Currently, research suggests that they develop when the kidney’s surface layer weakens and forms diverticulum (a pouch) which then fills with fluid, disengages, and develops into a cyst.
As noted before, age is often to blame – the risk of having the condition increases with age. Furthermore, gender may also have an effect. It’s relatively more common in men than in women.
Symptoms
The cyst looks like an oval or round fluid-filled pouch that typically has a well-defined outline. It usually develops in the surface of the kidney. However sometime it may also form inside the kidney.
*Image credit to Mayo
Most of the time, kidney cysts don’t cause any symptoms. However, this doesn’t mean that you can ignore them. It’s still important to keep monitoring them!
How is kidney cyst diagnosed?
It is rarely to be concerned, and even it is often accidentally diagnosed. Many times it is discovered through an imaging test for another condition.
Standard procedures and tests to diagnose cysts in the kidneys include:
- Imaging tests such as with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound scan, or CT-scan (computerized tomography scan). As the name suggests, these tests can help provide clearly, detailed images of your kidneys to see whether there is any abnormal growth such as cyst or even cancer.
- Blood tests to help evaluate your kidneys health. If kidney function is impaired, enlarged kidney cyst is one of possible answers.
Complications
Although kidney cyst is usually harmless, but it may also occasionally cause the following discomforts and complications:
- Kidney pain and fever that can occur due to an infected kidney cyst.
- Over time it may burst, causing severe pain in the flank area.
Does it hurt kidney? It rarely impairs the kidney function. But sometime it could also be large enough to cause urine obstruction and kidney swelling.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) – inherited condition in which too many cysts (clusters of cysts) develop and grow primarily within the kidney – is different from simple kidney cysts.
In PKD, the cysts may also develop in other parts /organs of the body such as colon, spleen, pancreas, liver, and ovaries. Typically, it requires intensive treatment and monitoring. Although there is still no cure, some treatments are available to help control the symptoms and prevent the complications of the condition.
The most common problem associated with PKD is high blood pressure, which is also the starting point for other problems to occur. Other complications of the condition include:
- Kidney failure. Many patients with PKD experience poor kidney function and even kidney failure. This risk rises with advancing age.
- Pregnancy complications. Women with PKD should consult first with a doctor or a genetic counselor before getting pregnant. The condition can run in families. Moreover, it carries some healthy risks and pregnancy complications for both the mother and baby.
- The risk of having cysts in the liver or other organs of the body!
- Aneurysm, a balloon-like bulge in the brain’s blood vessel. This risk is higher in patients younger than age 50.
- The risk of developing sacs or pouches in the colon’s wall, causing colon problems.
- Chronic pain in the flank area.
- Abnormalities in the heart valve. For instance, mitral valve prolapse (a condition in which the valve is no longer to close normally, causing blood to leak backward) is quite common in people with PKD.
There is no specific diet known to help treat PKD. But with or without the condition, eating right is always worth a try. Keeping hydrated, avoiding caffeine, and diet low in sodium are key points for kidney health and controlling blood pressure.
Many people with simple kidney cysts are asked to have a watchful waiting procedure. In other words, they are usually suggested to periodically take an imaging test to see whether the cysts are still tolerated or the treatment should be taken promptly.
Although these cysts are usually not serious or even sometime they may go away naturally without treatment, it’s not always easy to stop worrying about them. In general, the treatment may be suggested if some of the following conditions occur:
What about the Chinese micro-osmotherapy for removal of cysts? I have a few cysts and something larger that was not determined as to just what it is. Still, my left kidney area hurts and, at times, extremely that bad that I cannot walk.
Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence that Chinese micro-osmotherapy works on kidney cyst removal. To keep safe, ask your doctor first! It seems this alternative therapy is nothing more than snake oil.
My left kidney flares up to a degree it prevents me to walk at times. I have a few cysts in both kidneys but, one on left is larger and, something else was found that cannot be diagnosed.
My Dr. told me three years ago that I have a cyst on my kidney…that it is NOTHING to worry about. She wanted to see me again a year later. Covid was rampant a year later, so I cancelled my appt.. Now that Covid has settled down & maybe things are getting “better”, I made an appt. with my kidney Dr.. I saw her today, she seemed angry with me, told me my cyst is nothing to worry about & she doesn’t want to see me anymore. Said I was asking her questions from 2 yrs. ago & doesn’t remember anything so can’t answer questions I have. She practically threw me out of her office. What should I do? I have high blood pressure & had a Dr. I had been going to for 8 yrs.. I had very high BP (180 to 212, upper number) very often causing trips to the emergency room to bring it down. My nurse from my ins. co. had me get a pill that would bring it down so the trips to the ER were not necessary. I did get a prescript & the ER trips were not necessary any more. But my GP was doing nothing to help my high BP. His reason being, I was allergic to so many BP meds that he had none to try. I was not allergic to the meds, they were tried early on when my high BP first started & the dizziness & other side effects were very noticeable because my body was not used to any meds. This matters has a lot more things to add, but I am not going to go on about it unless necessary by your request.
I was told by my Urologist That I have a very large cyst in my right kidney. She wants to do a procedure in her office after a new Cat Scan is done first. She, said, “She wants to make sure I don’t have cancer. I am 87 yrs.old.and pretty healthy otherwise. Never, had cancer before. Of, course I’m concerned. Yet, at my age I know am going to die of something one day. I am a Christ believer and am not afraid to die. I’m just wondering is this a serious thing?