Updated January 19, 2017 – Polycystic kidney disease or “PKD” is a medical condition wherein numerous fluid-filled cysts are found to have grown in either or both kidneys. These cysts cause enlargement and, if left untreated, can grow to a abnormal size that can destroy normal kidney structure and affect kidney function that could lead to eventual kidney failure and death.

Kidney Disease Patient

The cysts are mostly benign or non-carcinogenic, as most of them are full of bodily fluids or water. However, their sizes could grow larger than the kidney itself because of continual fluid accumulation. A kidney weighs less than a pound. Some cysts can weigh as much as 30 pounds. So it’s very possible to get out of hand quickly. Polycystic means “many cysts” and is a  progressive disease that can severely affect kidney function along with surrounding organs.

Early Diagnosis is Very Crucial

It is very important to identify the disease at the very onset because our kidneys are responsible for many vital bodily functions. They are waste filters and are known as the “sweepers,” making them responsible for cleanliness within our body. The filtration process allows for the right nutrients to be absorbed and the rest of the toxic substances to be flushed out of our systems.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

The most common signs of kidney problems are back aches or side pains, frequent urination, and blood in urine. These four major symptoms are very characteristic of the disease and should signal your alarm to have yourself checked. The size of the abdomen may also noticeably increase over time.

Other symptoms of congenital Polycystic Kidney Disease are headaches, high blood pressure, and history of urologic diseases or conditions such as presence of kidney stones or urinary tract infections. Although these cystic growths are usually benign most of the time, early diagnosis is crucial to prevent it from progressing rapidly, which would require patients to undergo more tedious medical procedures such as dialysis,stem cell treatments or even kidney transplants.

Treatment for Polycystic Kidney Disease using Stem Cells

Stem cell therapy is rapidly gaining acceptance in modern science. Regeneration center of Thailand was one of the first providers of a non-surgical alternative to treating polycystic kidney disease. Our multi-stage treatment protocol seeks to reverse kidney damage and restore function with a faster recovery rate and much less risk than kidney transplants. We offer Autologous and Allogeneic Cell therapy using Cord Blood,Amniotic Membrane or Placenta Derived cells to help restore kidney function, repair damage, and have been used effectively to treat numerous diseases and disorders such as:

• Diabetes Type 2 , Diabetic Neuropathy and Acute Pancreatitis

• Neurological Conditions such as ALS, Ataxia,Alzheimers,Cerebral Palsy, Brain Injuries and Motor Neuron Disease

• Orthopedic Knee / Hip Injuries and Sports injuries

• cardiac failure and heart disease

• Lung Disease such as IPF

• Liver Disease

• Blood disorders such as Thalassemia

These adult stem cells are said to be programmed with vital nutritive factors that aid in the process of healing damaged tissues by creating an almost new environment that is healthier for tissues and organs to thrive in after disease and/or infections (Ward et al. 2011)*. Clinical trials and medical journals have shown that stem cell transplants are the most effective known alternative treatment solution that does not require surgery. This non-surgical approach allows surrounding healthy tissue to be preserved more effectively.

With stem cell therapy being introduced into the treatment of kidney failure and renal diseases, the aim of the treatment is to greatly reduce and/or eliminate the need for dialysis.(Thatava et al. 2011)*

Dialysis requires potent medications to be administered regularly to attempt to heal damaged renal tissues; however, its potency also affects normal, healthy tissues in an adverse way and this is exactly the unnecessary scenario that our stem cell kidney protocol aims to eliminate.