Symptom 10. Changes in Urination: A Disconcerting Sign of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Your bladder’s activity can be a revealing tell-tale sign of your body’s internal health. In the case of Polycystic Kidney Disease, changes in urination patterns often raise the first red flags. The kidneys and urinary system are intimately linked, and any disruption in the former is likely to influence the latter.
Among the various changes, an increased frequency of urination is common in individuals with PKD. The cyst-filled kidneys, in their compromised state, have difficulty concentrating urine, leading to a larger urine volume. As a result, people with PKD may find themselves making frequent trips to the restroom, a symptom that can be particularly bothersome at night, disrupting sleep.
The appearance of urine can also change in PKD. Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is a symptom that can be quite disconcerting. The fragile blood vessels in the cyst walls can rupture, leading to bloody urine. While it may be alarming, it’s important to remember that it’s a manifestation of the underlying PKD.
Another change in urination associated with PKD is polyuria, a condition characterized by the production of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine. This symptom can lead to dehydration, further stressing the already compromised kidneys and potentially exacerbating other PKD symptoms like fatigue and weakness.
Changes in urination, while distressing, are the body’s SOS signals, alerting you to the internal turmoil. They serve as crucial markers, often leading to the initial diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease. In this respect, these changes in urination, despite their inconvenience, play a vital role in PKD management by signaling the need for medical intervention. (10)
