Diagnosis and Prevention
Diagnosis
Ultrasounds are the cheapest, most common form of testing for Polycystic Kidney Disease. They are a reliable way to detect any cysts that may be growing in your kidney. Genetic testing may also be done, but this is not as reliable as an ultrasound. Genetic tests do not always identify if you have the disease. However, they are beneficial if the ultrasound is unclear, or if the person being tested has a family history of PKD and wants to either donate a kidney or start a family.
Prevention
Although there is no known cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease, there are ways to help prevent it from getting too severe. The most important thing to remember is that a healthy blood pressure is ideal. Taking medication and limiting the amount of salty foods you eat are the easiest ways to keep things stable. After that, strive to stay at a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Make sure to stop smoking and limit your alcohol use.
Did you know...
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!
- There are many factors that contribute to your body odor, but one of the strongest links is our diet. This may be some bad news for meat-lovers because many studies have shown that those who refrained from or ate less red meat were judged as being more pleasant smelling. The meat sweats are real, and they don’t smell great!
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!
- Starting to feel claustrophobic? The smells of apples may help keep your claustrophobic feelings at bay according to a 1995 study by Dr. Alan Hirsch. Green apples, specifically, helped people change their perception of their space. Maybe they thought of expansive apple orchards? Cucumbers and barbecue made the feelings worse.