Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary condition that can cause renal failure, liver complications, and an increased risk of biliary tract disease. Biliary tract disease is the inflammation of the bile ducts. The two conditions might share some genetic or environmental triggers because they are both associated with autoimmune diseases. Still, there hasn’t been enough research on this topic to make any definite conclusions yet.
In this article post, we will talk about how these diseases may be linked and what scientists think could be causing them.
What is biliary tract disease?
Biliary tract disease refers to any disorder that causes gallbladder bile duct problems. The bile ducts are tubes through which bile flows from the liver to the gallbladder or small intestine. When problems occur, they can cause serious illness because of the body’s normal reaction to inflammation. Biliary tract disease commonly includes primary sclerosing cholangitis, biliary tract infection, primary biliary cirrhosis, and pancreaticobiliary malignant disease.
Biliary tract disease is a term that includes several illnesses of the liver and gallbladder: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) – a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the small bile ducts within the liver Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) – a chronic inflammatory condition that damages the small bile ducts within the liver, leading to scar tissue formation and cirrhosis of the liver Pancreaticobiliary malignancies – cancerous tumors in either the pancreas or gallbladder
This may also interest you: What Are the Symptoms & Causes of Bile Duct Obstruction
What is polycystic kidney disease?
In medicine, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a condition in which clusters of cysts develop within the kidneys. PKD can cause end-stage renal disease and results in death in some patients. In the majority of cases, there is a family history of the disorder.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located just below the rib cage, one on either side of the backbone. Each kidney is made up of about one million filtering units called nephrons. The nephrons remove excess fluid and waste from the blood in the form of urine. The urine flows from the kidneys through tubes called ureters to the bladder, where it is stored until it passes out of the body through another tube called the urethra.
How is Biliary tract disease linked to polycystic kidney disease?
Research has shown that biliary tract disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), the most common cause of chronic liver disease in adults, are linked to polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
They can be linked because of the inflammation that occurs in biliary tract disease and primary sclerosis cholangitis. Chronic liver disease is a common complication among people with PKD, but the reason for this link is unknown. Scientists are still trying to determine why some people develop the chronic liver disease while others do not. The association between PSC and PKD is considered an important area of research because of the potential implications of this link.
The research shows that there is a potential link between the two diseases. More studies are needed to confirm these findings. If you have any questions about this condition, please contact long island laparoscopic doctors or healthcare professional for more information and guidance on how to take care of yourself.
