What Factors Can Lead to Shortness of Breath for Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients

For patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), with the growth of their cysts, they would suffer from various symptoms like back pain, flank pain, high blood pressure, hematuria, etc. When the normal tissues of kidney are taken by the cysts, PKD patients may suffer renal insufficient . If the disorder is not controlled well, it will develop into kidney failure eventually. At this time, patients would suffer more complications,shortness of breath is one of them. Then, do you know what factors can lead to shortness of breath for polycystic kidney disease patients?

The factors leading to shortness of breath for PKD patients can be given as follows.

1. Pulmonary edema

As the diseased kidneys fail to maintain the balance of water and electrolyte, the risk of experiencing fluid-sodium retention will be elevated. Normally, swelling can be seen around the eyelids, face and ankles. If not treated well, it may spread to other parts of the body, when the lung is involved, pulmonary edema will occur.

2. Metabolic acidosis

Except for pulmonary edema, metabolic acidosis can also lead to shortness of breath.

3. Deficiency of red blood cells

In PKD, the fluid-filled sac will increase both in quantities and sizes with age. And the enlarged cyst can interfere with normal kidney function gradually, as a consequence, there will be less erythropoietin, which is linked with red blood cells tightly. In addition to shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, etc can also be caused.


Now you must have a clear idea about the cause of shortness of breath for Polycystic Kidney Disease patients, and now if you want to know more information about management and treatment, you can contact our online doctors, leave us messages or send email to kidneyhospitalabroad@hotmail.com, we will reply you within 24 hours.