Symptom 14. Decreased Appetite and Weight Loss: A Concerning Sign of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic Kidney Disease, while primarily affecting the kidneys, can have an unexpected impact on a person’s appetite and weight. Decreased appetite and unintended weight loss, although not as commonly discussed, are nevertheless significant symptoms of PKD.
The correlation between decreased appetite and PKD is multi-pronged. One factor that could lead to a diminished desire for food is a feeling of fullness brought about by enlarged kidneys. As these organs grow in size due to the multitude of cysts, they could potentially press against the stomach, creating a sensation of fullness even when one hasn’t eaten.
Additionally, a condition called uremia, characterized by a high concentration of waste products in the blood, could lead to an alteration of taste, reducing one’s interest in food. Not only can uremia make food taste different, it can also lead to nausea and vomiting, further reducing a person’s appetite.
Unintended weight loss in PKD can be a direct result of this decreased appetite. When you’re not consuming enough calories, your body begins to use its fat and muscle stores for energy, leading to weight loss. But, it’s not just a lack of appetite that contributes to this weight loss. PKD can sometimes lead to malnutrition due to poor absorption of nutrients in the body, even when food is being consumed.
Decreased appetite and weight loss in Polycystic Kidney Disease are more than just dietary issues. They represent how PKD can influence the body’s essential functions and systems. They underscore the multi-systemic nature of this disease, affecting everything from the kidneys to the digestive system. (14)
