Ashley Clark

July 14th, 2016

Research Paper
Polycystic Kidney Disease

My fathers side of the family suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease, which is
one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases. There are ten family
members directly from the Mitterling side of my family, including myself along with
grandparents, cousins, siblings, and parents, that have the potential of inheriting this
disease. As of right now, I know that four out of ten family members have positively
been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease, but there are about three of us who
have not been examined yet. My grandmother, Ruth Mitterling, and father, Brent
Mitterling, had fatal brain aneurysms as a result of this kidney disease. My Uncle, Craig
Mitterling, had a liver aneurysm back in the summer of 2014, which also resulted in him
having a kidney transplant. The Mitterling family are all farmers, so a healthy lifestyle
wasn't an issue. I believe hypertension plays a larger role with our circumstances.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (Polycystic Kidney Disease) has been defined to be a

genetic disorder with causing cysts to grow on the kidneys. These cysts consist of
abnormal non-cancerous fluid-filled sacs, resulting in higher complications than any
normal cyst, as they are found in greater numbers. It enlarges the kidney and damages
the tissues the kidney is made out of as well. Normally the size of a kidney is a human
fist, but researches have seen Polycystic Kidney Disease enlarge the kidney to the size
of a football and weighing 30 lbs per kidney. As of today, Polycystic Kidney Disease is
been found in 1 out of 500 people, which makes that 600,000 Americans or 12.5 million
people worldwide making Polycystic Kidney Disease the 4th leading cause for renal
failure.

According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and research, the
cause for polycystic kidney disease is by abnormal genes. This gene mutation is
normally inherited, but spontaneous cases have also been found. There are two types
of Polycystic Kidney Disease; Autosomal Dominant (Polycystic Kidney Disease) &
Autosomal Recessive (Polycystic Kidney Disease). To inherit the Dominant gene only 1
parents needs to have the disease, while both parents require carrying the recessive
gene in order to pass it down to the next generation. Polycystic Kidney Disease is The
Polycystic Kidney Disease gene is found on Chromosomes 14 & 6. This disease is
found in all races and genders equally with an estimated occurrence of 1 in 400 people.
Polycystic Kidney Disease is associated with about 2.2% Kidney Failure cases in the
U.S. yearly. They have found that men are most likely going to experience Kidney
Failure as a symptom of Polycystic Kidney Disease, but women with 3+ pregnancies
have higher risks of acquiring the same chances, which makes this disease influenced
by the environment. According to Ravens Major Biology, its mentioned that external
environmental affects the relationship between genes-the stresses on your body can
change the phenotype of the gene. The inheritance rate in all autosomal dominant
Polycystic Kidney Disease cases is a 50% chance, where all recessive Polycystic
Kidney Disease cases is a 10% spontaneous outcome.

It is important to be aware of this disease, as it has an unpredictable growth rate

and is inherited to each generation. Health complications involved with Polycystic
Kidney Disease are: Colon Problems, Pregnancy Complications, Chronic Pain, Kidney
Failure, Urinary Tract Infections, Kidney Stones, Pancreatic Cysts, Liver Cysts, High
Blood Pressure, Problems with the blood vessels in the brain & heart, like Brain

Aneurysms. Currently, there are no cures that have been discovered. All that is
available are precautions and treatments for each individual symptom expressed. The
best form of prevention is getting a diagnosis. Knowing you have Polycystic Kidney
Disease will help you get ahead of the disease. Technologies that have assisted with
this have been Ultrasounds, CT Scans, MRIs, and Genetic Testing, which are available
tools for anyone who is wanting a diagnosis.

The main goal should be keeping your kidney's has healthy as possible. Other
precautions include being conscious of your blood pressure, avoiding injury, influenza,
infections, mental & physical fatigue, regulating your emotional state, and controlling
your diet. High Blood Pressure accelerates damage to the kidneys. Influenza may
cause large immunity damage. Infections may aggravate the progression of the
damaged kidneys or may cause irreversible consequences. Physical tiredness deposits
toxins that cannot be excreted, which then settles within the kidneys and Mental
tiredness will affect your brain thinking and your body command function. Having control
of your emotions and welcoming an optimistic outlook will influence healthy and good
choices, which will make preventions easier. Diet offers a significant role with fighting
this disease, as it may delay the progression. Later on, if f treatment is needed, you'll
see prescribed medications to relieve pain or assist with controlling other symptoms
experienced. Extreme treatments may be cyst removals or kidney transplants. Exercise
is also a simple form of prevention. It has been said that it can add 3 years to your
lifespan, lower blood pressure, and regulates the blood.

Normal function kidneys permit high volume of blood flow, as kidneys are
equipped with dense blood vessels. If hypertension is not controlled, over time the

arteries surrounding the kidneys narrow down, weaken, and harden. This ends up
damaging the arteries and blood can no longer be delivered to the kidneys, which can
result in renal failure and many more cardiovascular conditions. The kidneys play an
important roll with body function. Kidneys regulate blood pressure, activate Vitamin D
for healthy bones, is the main production site for red blood cells, filters roughly 120-150
quarts of blood daily, removes waste products from the body, and balances the body's
fluids.

To assist you kidney's to continue functioning correctly, the DASH diet has been
recommended by the Nation Kidney Foundation, as well as, approved by The National
Hearth, Lung, & Blood Institute. During studies, the DASH diet has shown to reduce
blood pressure, lower risks of heart disease, strokes, and cancer, it also reduces risk of
kidney complications. Most patients in the early stages of kidney disease need to limit
the amount of sodium in their diet. Some patients may be told to limit protein in their diet
as well. The DASH diet is often recommended for patients with kidney disease. If your
kidney disease gets worse, you may also need to limit potassium or phosphorus in your
diet. (National Kidney Foundation, Nutrition and Kidney Disease, Stage 1-4) The DASH
diet stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Hypertension is abnormally
high blood pressure. The DASH diet consists of an emphasis on rich fruit and vegetable
intake, low-fat dairy products, whole grain consumption, and healthful sources of fish,
poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts. Limitations on salt & sodium have been highlighted,
along with the addition of sugars and sweets. Fat, red meats, and highly processed food
are other items to remove from your Kidney conscious diet. Studies have shown that
alcohol consumption and smoking cigarettes harm your kidneys and can damage other
organs, so quitting is the healthiest option, as this will only assist with the disease's
progression. Less phosphorus items protects your bones and blood vessels and

consuming the right amount of potassium helps nerves and muscles work the correct
way. A simple suggestion to ensure you follow the DASH diet is by cooking and/or
preparing all your meals from scratch; like baking, roasting, stewing, grilling, broiling,
and stir-frying rather than deep frying your food and because you'll know all the
ingredients pertaining to the dish. As for water intake, it has been mentioned to continue
the normal daily amount unless you are experiencing kidneys stones, where more water
consumption is needed to pass the stone.

The DASH diet isn't an extreme or unrealistic diet that is recommended, as

Harvad T.H. Chan | School of Public Health has come out with a statement that the
same healthful food choices and diet patterns that help prevent heart disease, diabetes,
and other chronic conditions, such as Kidney Disease, may also help to prevent weight
gain or obesity, which currently is one of the top predisposed genetic diseases that is
greatly influenced by diet and has been found to be shared with future generations.
However, activity and exercise does differ between those suffering from obesity and
those living with Kidney Disease. Those working through obese lifestyles can gradually
work up to fast paced, heavy, and interactive exercise and activities, where those with
Kidney Disease have limitations. As mentioned before, exercise is a great beneficiary
with preventing progression of kidney disease, however, you must refrain from contact
sports or anything where possible direct trauma may occur. Gentle exercises and
activities are recommended as to avoid or minimize the risk of your kidneys rupturing.

The DASH diet pyramid compared to your average diet pyramid recommendation
has different serving sizes and is ordered different based on significance. With DASH,
the bottom of the pyramid will emphasis Fruits and Vegetables, where as, normally

Grains will be listed first. DASH will then list Grains next with Fruits & Vegetables being
the second listing on your average pyramid. The only similarity will be the third category
having Low-Fat Dairy with Lean Meats. The DASH diet's fourth listing is your intake on
Beans, Nuts, and Seeds with consumption of Oils/fats. Your average diet will have Fats,
Oils, and Sugar listed together as the last listing, where DASH stills has one remaining
category. The last thing DASH focuses on is Sweets. Now, this is where you'll see the
biggest differences. Comparing the serving sizes; DASH vs. AVERAGE. Fruits and
Vegetables; DASH (8-10 servings) and AVERAGE (2-4 servings). Grains; DASH (7-8
servings) and AVERAGE (5-7 servings). Dairy; DASH (2-3 servings) and AVERAGE (3
servings). Meats; DASH (0-2 servings) and AVERAGE (2 servings). Average diet
recommends to use fats, oils, and sugar in small amounts. However, the DASH diet
consumes 2-3 servings of healthy oils and 1 serving of beans, nuts, and seeds. Sweets
are limited to 5 servings per week.

Metabolism slows down when you are overweight, but according to Kidney
Therapy of Chine there hasn't been a linking factor to connection Polycystic Kidney
Disease and metabolism. However, since Polycystic Kidney Disease can cause cystic
livers this symptom alone will affect the metabolism as the liver is the main site for
metabolism. Overall these lifestyle changes are not dramatically changing your
everyday life. These easy adjustments for a healthier and longer life allows and
promotes you to live a productive life.

Polycystic Kidney Disease is being called the Silent Killer, and I certainly don't
want to be taken by surprise. This research paper has been enlightening and I'm going
to make it a priority that I set up my first appointment with starting my preventative

process.

Work Cited
"The DASH Diet." The National Kidney Foundation. N.p., 12 Aug. 2014. Web. 12 July
2016.
"Diet and Lifestyle Changes." Diet and Lifestyle Changes. The National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 17 Sept. 2014. Web. 15 July 2016.
"Food and Diet." Obesity Prevention Source. The President and Fellows of Harvard
College, 20 Oct. 2012. Web. 15 July 2016.
"Kidney Damage and High Blood Pressure." Kidney Damage and High Blood Pressure.
American Heart Association, 29 June 2016. Web. 15 July 2016.
"Nutrition and Kidney Disease, Stages 1-4." The National Kidney Foundation. N.p., 14
Oct. 2014. Web. 13 July 2016.
"PKD Exercise." PKD Exercise. N.p., 1996. Web. 15 July 2016.
"PKD Treatment." Kidney Therapy China. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2016.
"Polycystic Kidney Disease." Polycystic Kidney Disease. American Kidney Fund, n.d.
Web. 15 July 2016.
"Prevention of Polycystic Kidney Disease(PKD)." - PKD Treatment. N.p., 28 Aug. 2103.
Web. 15 July 2016.